Dual role of wood in human history: a blessing & a curse

Old wood-clad houses know how to age, drawing inspiration from ancient woodworking. But why does modernity feel uneasy with weathered wood?

Due to its beauty, utility, and abundance, wood is a blessing. It helps us in construction, as tools, as a medium for art, as a material for transportation through land, sea, or air (ask Howard Hughes), and also as a fuel.

Unlike plastic polymers or metal alloys, wood is composed of natural organic materials that microorganisms can break down. This advan…