Stick house on the rise with timber architecture

Is the stick house on the rise with timber architecture?, architects are returning wood, timber advice

The Stick House on the Rise with Timber Architecture

4 May 2026

We’ve long been taught that the first and second pigs were rash and didn’t think their house designs through. They were easily blown down by the Big Bad Wolf, and the pigs were forced to flee to the solid house of bricks.

However, in a world where houses aren’t getting blown down by villainous fairytale creatures, could those first two have been on to something? Indeed, there’s an emerging trend showing up in architecture where more people are turning to timber designs. These have a modern feel and stand out in a brick-dominated market.

Building Culture Influenced by the Classic Pigs’ Tale

Whether we realise it or not, many of the classic stories and folklore of old still shape the way we think.

The tale of the Three Little Pigs is so legendary that it’s even found in popular culture still, with games like Huff N Even More Puff Grand keeping it alive in new and innovative ways. That game focuses on the splendour of a brick mansion, highlighting how the widespread belief that the third pig was right is still prevalent.

It could be argued that in countries like the UK, there’s a cultural bias towards brick and stone now, with these seen as more permanent and reliable. After the war, there was a widespread focus on building solid and secure brick housing in cities up and down the country. After all the bombing, that made a lot of sense. People wanted houses that looked like they could withstand such attacks.

If you look a bit further back in history, however, it’s clear that architects of the past relied heavily on timber.

There are still many Tudor-era buildings that have wooden frames that have lasted for centuries. Therefore, the belief that the stick house is inferior to the brick house may be misplaced.

Modern Timber Technology is Redefining Strength

Many architects are now considering going back to some of the construction ideas of old, especially thanks to the fact that there are now companies that produce timber that can rival the strength of steel and concrete. Cross-laminated timber is the material that’s making the headlines, with some impressive projects having used it in recent years.

One prime example of this is the Stadthaus in Hackney, which was constructed entirely from CLT. It was designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects and completed in 2009, making it the first-ever multi-storey building that solely used the modern timber material. It’s also one of the tallest timber residential buildings in the world.

There’s also Dalston Works in the same area of London, which was completed in 2017 and has 10 storeys made from CLT.

Should You Change Your Design Plans to Be More Timber-Focused?

With timber designs clearly on the rise, many architects are now wondering whether they should adapt to this trend as well. There are certainly various benefits for the second pig approach, with today’s stick houses now praised for their sustainability and modern aesthetics.

When designing with timber, architects don’t need to go all-in on the material if they don’t want to. Instead, they can take inspiration from Tudor designs and use them for pillars and beams within a home. Alternatively, it can look impressive as a part of a building’s outer walls, often conveying a more natural feel.

Brick houses may still reign supreme, but thanks to modern technology and improved timber, it’s possible for architects to now move in favour of wooden designs. As there’s more of a push towards sustainable designs in houses, there may be many more stick houses around in the future. Let’s hope nothing comes to blow them down.

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