ROSI
Research in a wooden classroom: 600 fewer heartbeats per hour
Researchers at Joanneum Research in Weiz, Styria (AUT) wanted answers to questions such as: Does wood have a positive effect on us humans? If so, how? Why? Over what period of time? Is there even a ‘life-prolonging effect’?
As part of their pilot study ‘SOS’ (School without Stress), the scientists furnished two school classrooms in Haus im Ennstal with solid wood – oak parquet flooring, spruce and fir walls and ceilings, and wooden furniture. Two parallel classrooms were furnished in a ‘conventional’ manner.
After ten months of measurements and surveys, it was clear:
- The heart rate of the "wooden classroom children” decreased by an average of 10 beats per minute. At the same time, vagal tone (higher serotonin and dopamine levels) increased significantly as a positive effect.
Performance in the wooden classes increased, while the psycho-social strain on children and teachers decreased significantly.
Wood braces the immune system and promotes creativity and restful sleep.
The SOS study (see above) dates from 2009. Since then, research on this topic has been conducted worldwide. In 2025, the Technical University of Munich analyzed the results of 42 international studies in a meta-study – with this clear result:
Wood is good for the immune system
Wood is good for the indoor climate
Wood helps reduce stress
Wood enhances creativity and performance
Wood lifts the mood
Wood helps us sleep better
Wood is anti-microbial