Environmental and Architectural Aspects of Timber Construction in Long-Span Structures: A Review of Selected Evaluation Criteria

The article presents an interdisciplinary view of long-span timber structures, combining architectural and environmental approaches. The authors, working in the field of architectural design, analyze wood not only as a structural material, but also as a means of spatial, aesthetic and cultural expression. Particular attention was paid to such aspects as expression of form, quality of detail, user comfort and integration of the structure with function and environment. In parallel, an environmental analysis was conducted, including material life cycle (LCA), carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and the potential of wood for reuse and recycling in the context of a circular economy. The results of the 2021-2025 literature review indicate that engineered wood (CLT, glulam, LVL) allows combining sustainability goals with high quality architectural space. The article emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental and design criteria in the creative process and the need for further research into the sustainability, adaptability and regulatory aspects of wood construction. Wood appears as a material of the future, both in terms of aesthetics and climate responsibility.