New materials are unproven by definition and, like most experiments, they tend to fail. If used widely, they fail big. Reliance on a single barrier is the key defect of new materials. That is what made the geodesic dome so leaky. A better approach is multiple redundant layers each of which can be imperfect while a single layer must be perfect.
Wood is wonderful for adaptability, renewability, low price, and beauty.
However, it is usually terrible for maintenance. The exception is timber-framed buildings in which the wood structure is protected from the weather, but is massive and exposed. Air keeps it dry, eyeballs keep it inspected. Brick requires very little maintenance, ages beautifully, and modifies fairly easily. Old brick has a resale value allowing easy recycling.