Irish timber to see second life in major Japanese project
Irish wood from sawmills in Co. Cork will be repurposed for use in a major Japanese structure for the second time in three years.
According to the supplier, Forest Industries Ireland (FII) member GP Wood, this reuse demonstrates the material’s sustainability.
The wood was first utilised for the construction of part of the Irish Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, and is being repurposed for a second major international trade show in Japan next year.
The announcement was made this week that the GP Wood-supplied Irish Douglas fir timber has been selected for reuse in the design of a new main entrance gate for the International Horticultural Expo taking place in 2027 in the city of Yokohama.
Welcoming the announcement, Michael O’Regan, sales manager at GP Wood, said: “It's hugely encouraging to see Irish-grown timber from our sawmills in Co. Cork being recognised on an international stage.
“Timber is one of the most sustainable building materials available, storing carbon throughout its lifetime while supporting a renewable, locally grown resource.
“From a circular economy perspective, every cubic metre of timber used in long-life construction keeps valuable natural materials in use for decades and creates opportunities for reuse and recycling at the end of a building's life.”
The entrance gate to the International Horticultural Expo 2027 - which will span 92m - will be the first structure that visitors encounter.
The gate’s exteriors will reuse 1,000 pieces of the GP Wood-supplied homegrown Irish timber, preserving its original form as much as possible.
O’Regan said: “This project demonstrates how high-quality Irish timber can contribute to more sustainable construction globally while showcasing the value of Ireland's forestry and sawmilling sector.”
The same timber was previously used to clad the exterior of the Irish Pavilion at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, a structure that took the form of an abstract Celtic spiral, designed by Government of Ireland architects from the Office of Public Works (OPW) and devised by Cork-based Irish artist Joseph Walsh.
‘Circular opportunities’
Mark McAuley, director of Forest Industries Ireland, said: “This is a prime example of sustainability and it demonstrates the many circular opportunities presented by timber as a construction design material.
“Unlike many construction materials, wood is a renewable resource that can be reused, repurposed and recycled, extending its value long after its initial use.
“Currently in Ireland, our construction and broader built environment sector accounts for approximately 37% of total greenhouse gas emissions, a figure which signals that the sector needs to make a major change.”
McAuley said that projects like this illustrate how forest-based bioeconomy can contribute to a more sustainable future.
