News

CMPC's Niuform Launches Sustainable Educational Project in Costa Rica

Sponsors

Niuform, a company belonging to the CMPC group and specializing in wood construction, has taken a major step in its international expansion by securing a large-scale project in Costa Rica. The new campus for the United World Colleges (UWC) network, located in San Isidro de Heredia, will be a milestone in sustainable and educational construction for the region, with an approximate investment of $65 million.

The project, designed by the prestigious firm Gensler with structural engineering by NCI and Niuform, will include over 16 buildings with various purposes, ranging from student residences to sports and cultural facilities. The initiative stands out not only for its scale but also for its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, key factors in the choice of wood as the primary material.

The campus construction faces the challenge of harmoniously integrating into an area of high environmental sensitivity. To achieve this, approximately 3,400 m³ of glued laminated timber (GLT) will be used—a material that captures carbon and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This use of GLT represents nearly 30% of Niuform's production capacity and requires collaboration from over 40 professionals in design, manufacturing, logistics, and installation consulting.

The UWC campus in Costa Rica includes buildings with varied structural approaches, some entirely in GLT and others combining wood with masonry. The project is expected to be completed and ready to welcome students by 2026.

Juan Pablo Pereira, manager of CMPC Maderas, emphasizes that the project not only integrates respectfully into the natural surroundings but also promotes the well-being of the educational community. Studies indicate that spaces with high wood exposure enhance learning and reduce stress.

With this project, Niuform and CMPC solidify their leadership in large-scale mass timber projects in the region and aim to expand their presence in other Latin American markets and beyond, promoting mass timber as a solution to sustainable urban development challenges.