Two timber construction models: tradition without innovation or innovation without tradition?

This paper evaluates the influence of timber construction on architectural design through a critical analysis and comparison between two environmental and building contexts that are culturally and geographically different from one another:  the experience of the former British colonies, represented by New Zealand, and the Mediterranean one, described by Italy. This comparison moves through the investigation on three themes: the cultural value of the construction process; the performance realm (environmental, energy and seismic ones as firsts); the design dimension. The contribution underlines divergences and similarities of the technological culture of design in two countries that share similar requirements regarding post-earthquake reconstruction.