Light and wood: A review of optically transparent wood for architectural applications

Transparent wood, as a novel load-bearing material, is derived from natural wood as a template, overcoming its general mechanical limitations and perishable nature. It boasts remarkable properties that make it an appealing choice for construction and related engineering structures. With its outstanding mechanical performance, attractive optical properties, and utilization of renewable and abundant biomass sources, transparent wood offers low thermal conductivity and holds significant potential for multifunctional improvements in various applications. This paper summarizes the top design principles and bottom preparation methods of transparent wood, emphasizing its application in architecture, including intelligent windows, lighting equipment, solar cell light management, aesthetic decoration, and other potential functions. However, challenges remain in achieving large-scale industrial production, optimizing optical and mechanical properties, and predicting material performance. We discuss the possible solutions to these challenges, highlighting the need for further research and development in the field of transparent wood. •The design principle and the preparation methods of transparent wood were summarized.•The application in architecture was emphatically introduced.•The functional improvement of transparent wood used in buildings were discussed.