Unlike traditional engineered timber, which relies on subtractive processes such as cutting and laminating, Woodflow builds material only where it is needed, says Daniel del Río, architect and a chief technology officer at strong by form, a company that creates lightweight structural solutions combining the sustainability of wood with high performance and productivity.

Speaking to the World Architecture Community in an interview, Del Río argues that this approach minimizes waste and optimizes the natural strength of wood.

The use of wood has become increasingly widespread among architects in recent years. The reason is that using wood in construction reduces carbon emissions by about 40 percent compared to concrete. Wood reduces carbon emissions by 40 percent compared to concrete and 30 percent compared to steel.

While cross-laminated timber or other wood-based engineered products contribute significantly to removing CO2 from the atmosphere, strong by form's Woodflow technology produces a new generation of wood composite based on the natural structural components of wood.

"A next-generation wood-based composite"

"At the core of our innovation is Woodflow, a next-generation wood-based composite inspired by how trees optimize their structure for strength and efficiency," said Del Río. 

"By combining materials science, digital fabrication, and computational design, we create ultra-lightweight yet structurally strong components that outperform conventional materials in sustainability, weight, and mechanical performance," he added.

Woodflow technology is designed for scalability across various industries and includes applications such as Woodflow-skin, Woodflow-core, and automotive body components like Woodflow-motion. 

A detailed view of a panelling system produced by Woodflow technology

“Wood is nature’s most efficient structural material”

Explaining why they chose wood to produce Woodflow technology, Del Río believes that wood is nature's most efficient structural material.

"We chose wood as our primary material because it is nature’s most efficient structural material—a renewable, lightweight, and high-performance resource that, when optimized, can outperform traditional materials in strength-to-weight ratio, sustainability, and versatility," reflected Del Rio.

"Unlike steel or concrete, which are highly energy-intensive to produce, wood is a carbon-sequestering material, meaning it captures and stores CO2, actively reducing the environmental footprint of the built environment and mobility sectors," he added.

“Woodflow builds up material only where it’s needed”

Del Río describes Woodflow technology as an additive manufacturing process that uses the natural properties of wood to create high-performance parts, adding: "unlike traditional engineered timber, which relies on subtractive processes like cutting and laminating, Woodflow builds up material only where it’s needed, minimizing waste and making the most of wood’s natural strength." 

"This approach, inspired by how trees grow, results in ultra-lightweight, high-strength components that can replace steel, aluminum, and concrete in architecture and beyond."

"Imagine an architect designing a freeform wooden façade—something that typically requires heavy substructures, significant material waste, and complex fabrication. With Woodflow, we can create self-supporting, lightweight panels with optimized fiber orientation, following organic shapes effortlessly," he explained.

"We consume up to 75 percent fewer trees compared to conventional mass timber solutions"

Del Río emphasizes that using Woodflow technology reduces wood consumption by up to 75 percent, significantly lowering carbon emissions compared to natural wood. By doing so, it reduces pressure on forests and makes wood a more scalable and sustainable structural material.

"A key advantage of our process is that we maximize the efficiency of forest resources by using veneer in the form of flakes, allowing us to utilize a much larger portion of the tree for structural applications," Del Río explained. 

"As a result, we consume up to 75 percent fewer trees compared to conventional mass timber solutions, reducing pressure on forests and making wood a more scalable and sustainable structural material."

"By optimizing fiber orientation and minimizing raw material use, Woodflow enhances the structural potential of every cubic meter of wood harvested," he added.

Del Río, who states that Woodflow-skin enables a "highly collaborative and digitally integrated workflow" for architects or interior designers, classifies the process from design to production in three steps: Concept Development & Digital Integration, Prototyping & Validation, and Manufacturing & Assembly. 

Del Río also emphasizes that Woodflow technology creates products that can be applied in every industry and at every scale, regardless of the complexity of the projects.

"Unlike traditional engineered wood, which often limits design flexibility, Woodflow’s additive manufacturing approach enables the creation of organic, freeform geometries that optimize fiber orientation for structural efficiency," he continued. 

"This allows for curved, parametric, and non-standard shapes without sacrificing strength or sustainability." 

"As we continue to refine our technology, we are working on industry-specific pilots to bring these capabilities to façades, load-bearing structures, and large-scale architectural applications in the near future," he added.

strong by form is led by civil engineer and CEO Andrés Mitnik Asun, architect and CTO Daniel del Río, and architect and CPO Jorge Christie Remy-Maillet. strong by form is a Professional Manufacturer of the World Architecture Community on Professionals. 

Daniel del Río is also the founder of two digital fabrication companies and a digital fabrication advisor. 

Read an edited version of our interview with Daniel del Río:

Another paneling system created by strong by form

Berrin Chatzi Chousein:  Tell us a bit about strong by form? What exactly do you do?

Daniel del Río: strong by form is a technology-driven company that develops high-performance biocomposites to replace traditional materials like concrete, steel, and aluminum in construction and mobility applications. At the core of our innovation is Woodflow, a next-generation wood-based composite inspired by how trees optimize their structure for strength and efficiency. By combining materials science, digital fabrication, and computational design, we create ultra-lightweight yet structurally strong components that outperform conventional materials in sustainability, weight, and mechanical performance.

Our technology is designed for scalability across industries, with applications ranging from architectural cladding and structural panels (Woodflow-skin and Woodflow-core) to automotive body components (Woodflow-motion). We are collaborating with industry leaders like BMW, Deutsche Bahn, NS, and Vinci to drive the adoption of these sustainable solutions at an industrial scale.

"Wood is nature’s most efficient structural material"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: The company only works with wood as a primary material. Why did you choose wood in particular?

Daniel del Río: We chose wood as our primary material because it is nature’s most efficient structural material—a renewable, lightweight, and high-performance resource that, when optimized, can outperform traditional materials in strength-to-weight ratio, sustainability, and versatility. Unlike steel or concrete, which are highly energy-intensive to produce, wood is a carbon-sequestering material, meaning it captures and stores CO2, actively reducing the environmental footprint of the built environment and mobility sectors.

Unlike niche bio-based materials, wood already has an established supply chain, advanced processing technologies, and regulatory acceptance across multiple industries. This allows us to rapidly scale our innovations and integrate them into existing industrial ecosystems, accelerating the transition toward sustainable, high-performance materials while leveraging wood’s inherent ability to contribute to carbon reduction strategies at an industrial level.

"Woodflow builds up material only where it’s needed"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: What exactly is Woodflow Technology? Can you explain it with a simple example?

Daniel del Río: Woodflow Technology is an additive manufacturing process that leverages the natural properties of wood to create high-performance parts. Unlike traditional engineered timber, which relies on subtractive processes like cutting and laminating, Woodflow builds up material only where it is needed, minimizing waste and making the most of wood’s natural strength. This approach, inspired by how trees grow, results in ultra-lightweight, high-strength components that can replace steel, aluminum, and concrete in architecture and beyond.

Imagine an architect designing a freeform wooden façade—something that typically requires heavy substructures, significant material waste, and complex fabrication. With Woodflow, we can create self-supporting, lightweight panels with optimized fiber orientation, following organic shapes effortlessly. This eliminates excess material, reduces the need for additional support systems, and allows for unprecedented design freedom. By aligning wood fibers along structural load paths, Woodflow makes architectural elements stronger, lighter, and more efficient, all while significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to traditional timber construction. We redefine what’s possible with wood, enabling designers to push creative boundaries while embracing sustainability, efficiency, and structural innovation.

"Our approach is inspired by biomimicry"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: Does Woodflow Technology work with an AI-based system? How do you design complex wood geometries? What are the digital infrastructure tools you use?

Daniel del Río: Currently, Woodflow Technology does not use AI, but rather relies on advanced generative design techniques and proprietary optimization software to shape wood into lightweight, high-performance geometries. Our approach is inspired by biomimicry, replicating how trees distribute material efficiently for strength while minimizing weight. By leveraging computational design and structural analysis, we optimize fiber orientation and load distribution, achieving superior mechanical performance while reducing material waste.

To design complex wood geometries, we use a fully digital workflow supported by Dassault Systèmes and their robust software suite through the 3DExperience Lab. This includes tools like CATIA, SIMULIA, and DELMIA, which allow us to design intricate components, run advanced simulations, and optimize manufacturing processes. These digital tools enable us to create freeform, high-performance timber components that seamlessly integrate structural efficiency with precise, scalable fabrication techniques—bridging the gap between design freedom and industrial manufacturability.

An example of a paneling system produced by strong by form

"We consume up to 75 percent fewer trees compared to conventional mass timber solutions"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: Wood plays a major role in reducing carbon emissions. What is the equivalent of wood materials produced with this technology in terms of carbon emissions? Are the carbon emissions from natural wood the same as those from engineered wood produced with this technology?

Daniel del Río: The carbon impact of Woodflow Technology depends on the product it replaces. A key advantage of our process is that we maximize the efficiency of forest resources by using veneer in the form of flakes, allowing us to utilize a much larger portion of the tree for structural applications. As a result, we consume up to 75% fewer trees compared to conventional mass timber solutions, reducing pressure on forests and making wood a more scalable and sustainable structural material.

The emissions of natural wood vary greatly depending on its final application, treatments, and processing methods, making direct comparisons complex. However, by optimizing fiber orientation and minimizing raw material use, Woodflow enhances the structural potential of every cubic meter of wood harvested. This reduces the demand for raw timber, decreases the environmental footprint of large-scale wood construction, and ensures that more of each tree is put to high-value use—reinforcing wood’s role as a carbon-sequestering material while improving its long-term sustainability.

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: Apart from the free-form wood, what are the benefits of wood produced with this technology for architects and interior designers?

Daniel del Río: Beyond design freedom, Woodflow Technology offers architects and interior designers a new level of performance, sustainability, and ease of use in wood-based materials. Unlike traditional engineered timber, Woodflow enables the creation of lightweight yet structurally strong elements, reducing the need for heavy substructures while allowing for thinner, more elegant designs. This makes it ideal for innovative façades, sculptural interiors, and load-bearing applications where weight and efficiency matter.

Additionally, Woodflow panels and components are highly customizable, offering tailored textures, geometries, and finishes that seamlessly integrate into diverse architectural styles. From biophilic designs to high-performance cladding, this technology brings wood’s natural warmth and sustainability into projects without the material constraints of conventional timber products. At the same time, Woodflow’s efficient material use supports sustainable construction by minimizing waste, reducing embodied carbon, and optimizing forest resources, making it a future-proof choice for environmentally conscious designers.

"Woodflow-skin allows "a highly collaborative and digitally integrated workflow"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: What is your process when working with architects? Can you share the process from design to manufacturing?

Daniel del Río: For Woodflow-skin, our interior cladding solution, the design-to-manufacturing process is a highly collaborative and digitally integrated workflow that allows architects to push creative boundaries while ensuring structural feasibility and efficient production.

1. Concept Development & Digital Integration – We start by working closely with architects to translate their vision into manufacturable designs. By integrating parametric modeling and simulation early in the process, we optimize fiber orientation, structural performance, and material efficiency to achieve both aesthetic and functional excellence.

2. Prototyping & Validation – We validate designs through structural simulations and physical prototyping, ensuring precision, durability, and ease of assembly. This step provides an early aesthetic preview and allows for refinements that streamline manufacturing and enhance production efficiency.

 3. Manufacturing & Assembly – The final design is digitally fabricated using our additive Woodflow process, ensuring high precision and scalability. Components are then delivered as lightweight, ready-to-install elements, simplifying on-site assembly and reducing construction time.

For those looking for a faster, ready-made solution, Woodflow-skin also offers a collection of catalog designs that require no additional design work. Architects and designers can simply select a shape and finishing, making the process seamless and efficient while still benefiting from Woodflow’s performance, aesthetics, and sustainability. Structural applications are currently in development, and industry-specific pilots are available upon request.

"Woodflow-skin is scalable across different project sizes"

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: Can Woodflow Technology be used for every project scale? How far can we go with complex forms in architectural projects?

Daniel del Río: Woodflow-skin, our commercially available interior cladding solution, is scalable across different project sizes—from small pilots to full-scale architectural applications. Whether it’s a single feature wall, a large interior fit-out, or a complex multi-surface installation, Woodflow-skin adapts seamlessly to different design needs while offering lightweight, high-performance, and highly customizable panels. 

For other structural applications and exterior architectural elements, Woodflow Technology is still in development. However, the potential for complex forms and large-scale applications is significant. Unlike traditional engineered wood, which often limits design flexibility, Woodflow’s additive manufacturing approach enables the creation of organic, freeform geometries that optimize fiber orientation for structural efficiency. This allows for curved, parametric, and non-standard shapes without sacrificing strength or sustainability. As we continue to refine our technology, we are working on industry-specific pilots to bring these capabilities to façades, load-bearing structures, and large-scale architectural applications in the near future.

Berrin Chatzi Chousein: Can you tell us about other services offered by Woodflow Technology? What are the goals of Strong by Form for architects in the next steps?

Daniel del Río: Beyond Woodflow-skin, our commercially available interior cladding solution, we are actively developing new architectural and structural applications to push the boundaries of sustainability, material efficiency, and design flexibility.

Upcoming Developments:

Exterior Façade System – We are working on a new formulation and system for exterior façades, bringing the same lightweight, freeform design capabilities of Woodflow-skin to durable, weather-resistant applications.

Acoustic Panels – We are developing acoustic solutions tailored for interiors and large-scale architectural applications, leveraging Woodflow’s structural optimization to enhance sound performance.

Woodflow-core (Structural Slab System) – Our structural slab system is designed to reduce slab weight by up to 60 percent while increasing stiffness by 7 percent compared to CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber). This innovation will allow for spans beyond 12 meters between supports, unlocking new possibilities for timber-based construction at larger scales.

Mobility Solutions – Beyond architecture, we are exploring applications in mobility, using lightweight, high-performance wood composites for transportation infrastructure and vehicle interiors.

Next steps:

1. Scaling Industry Pilots – We are collaborating with partners to test and refine these new solutions in real-world architectural and structural applications.

2. Advancing Digital Integration – Our goal is to further streamline the design-to-manufacturing process, enabling parametric customization, performance-driven simulation, and seamless BIM integration.

3. Expanding the Woodflow-Skin Collection – We are introducing new catalog designs and finishes, giving architects more ready-to-use, high-performance cladding options.

4. Pushing Sustainable Construction Forward – We continue to optimize forest resource utilization, minimize waste, and enhance our material formulations to further reduce embodied carbon and improve long-term durability.

Our ultimate vision is to empower architects with innovative, high-performance wood-based solutions, combining structural efficiency, design freedom, and sustainability to reshape the future of construction.

This interview was produced for Professionals. If you are a Tool & Service Provider, Design Program Provider, PR & Marketing Agency, or Manufacturer, become a WAC Professional to enhance your office and services for the global architecture audience in the World Architecture Community. Currently, the WAC offers a reduced annual fee of $60 until 1 June for Professional Membership. Read more about the WAC Professional Membership.

All images courtesy of strong by form. 

biomimicry interview strong by form wood woodflow