Timber Construction Market: From Individual Housing to Major Urban Projects

Timber construction continues to establish itself as a key element of the energy transition and innovation in the building sector. According to the research firm MSI Reports, the material is gaining in attractiveness thanks to its environmental performance and flexibility, appealing to individuals, developers, and local authorities alike.

Recent projects, ranging from individual houses to high-rise office buildings, demonstrate the ability of wood to meet complex needs while reducing the carbon footprint.

A new MSI Reports study analyzes the Timber Construction market in France, from 2019 to 2025 and up to 2030 (forecast).

Historically dominated by single-family homes, the sector is gradually opening up to multi-family housing and ambitious projects, led by specialized groups and better-organized companies. According to MSI Reports, this increased expertise is enabling wood to be used on large-scale construction projects, including in dense urban areas where high-rise construction is becoming necessary. Extensions and additions, in particular, confirm the suitability of wood for rapid and technical interventions, minimizing disruption for residents.

Timber construction market in France, by type of construction, 2019-2025

Timber construction in the non-residential sector is also experiencing significant growth. Experts at MSI Reports point out that the RE 2020 regulations and government targets for reducing carbon footprints are encouraging the adoption of timber for schools, gymnasiums, and offices. Flagship projects such as the Arboretum campus in Nanterre and the Albizzia tower in Lyon illustrate the technical feasibility and the growing interest in high-performance, bio-based buildings.

While the industry still faces limited industrial capacity, MSI Reports emphasizes that the development of off-site construction, process standardization, and gradual industrialization will increase productivity and competitiveness. Large companies are exploring new solutions to meet growing and diversified demand, reinforcing the credibility of wood as a core material for sustainable building.

In the medium term, MSI Reports anticipates a gradual recovery in the residential and non-residential markets, driven by urban densification, skills development within the sector, and growing demand for low-carbon solutions. Timber construction is thus well-positioned to become a major driver of the energy transition and innovation in the building sector, confirming its strategic role for the coming years.

A study that has just been published

In December 2025, MSI Reports published a detailed study on the Timber Construction market in France.

With 160 pages and 101 tables and graphs, MSI Reports provides an in-depth analysis of the market evolution in France in 2025, with a history since 2019 and forecasts up to 2030. The study also includes an analysis of the competitive structure as well as profiles of numerous players specializing in wood construction, construction managers, wood property developers and major construction companies.

This study is available from €1.995 (excluding VAT)

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.