Circular Wood Construction in a Sustainable Built Environment: A Thematic Review of Gaps and Emerging Topics

As a renewable and carbon-storing raw material, wood is playing an increasingly important role in the transformation of the construction sector towards a circular economy (CE). However, extant scientific studies have largely analyzed its technical, environmental, and social aspects in isolation from one another. The present article provides a problem-oriented and conceptual narrative overview, integrating these three dimensions from a design perspective. The objective of this study is not to provide a systematic review of the extant literature, but rather to structure existing knowledge by categorizing topics as follows: well-recognized, moderately developed, and niche. This approach enables the identification of gaps and links relevant to architectural practice. A qualitative thematic approach was adopted, underpinned by a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed articles sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. This approach was further enriched by the incorporation of a select array of highly cited sources, serving to substantiate the study’s findings and provide a comprehensive overview of the pertinent literature. The review identified four research areas with high potential but low recognition: digital tracking of the life cycle of wooden elements, upcycling of low-quality wood, development of innovative wood-based materials, and socio-cultural acceptance of CE-based architecture. These subjects are currently marginal in the field of research, despite their significant implications for design strategies, adaptive resource use, and the development of interdisciplinary tools. The article posits the necessity of integrating materials science, digital technologies and architectural theory as a prerequisite for the scalable development of circular wood construction. The proposed classification provides a conceptual framework to support further research and guide innovation in the built environment.