Event Recap: Introduction to Timber
The urgency of the climate emergency is acting as a catalyst for us all to re-examine the way we design and operate buildings.
Engineered timber offers significant embodied carbon benefits compared to other construction materials; and with proposed legislation set to regulate the use of embodied carbon, our speakers outline its nature, advantages and limitations
One of the many ways to improve the sustainability of our constructions is to consider the full range of materials available and the way in which we use them. The masterclass includes case studies from Kingswood Prep School and Nursery, Edge Suedkreuz and Jaguar Land Rover.
Speakers
- Matthew Caldwell, Associate Structural Engineer
- Jonathan Roynon, Technical Director
- Matthew Duckett, Senior Structural Engineer
What did we learn?
1. How can timber be good for the environment, when it involves cutting down forests?
If used appropriately, timber is widely considered the most efficient structural material in terms of embodied carbon. For efficient design, the structural layout should be created with timber in mind from the start.
The use of sustainably sourced structural timber provides an ongoing carbon store, additional to the forest from which it came. The yield of timber is renewable and the managed forestry promotes vigorous new growth and absorption of CO2. In contrast, un-managed forestry settles into a state of balanced growth and decay where there is little or no net absorption of atmospheric CO2.
2. How do you mitigate the fire and insurance risk in timber buildings?
Timber structures can be safely designed for fire.
The key is to engage with suitably qualified and experienced fire engineers at an early stage in the project and then to design with the relevant parameters in mind. These will come from a range of stakeholders, including the client’s insurer.
3. How can timber be made to last?
If kept dry, timber will last almost indefinitely.
Keep timber within the thermal and moisture envelopes of your building wherever possible and pay attention to possible cold bridges and interstitial condensation. Where timber is used externally, keep it out of direct rainfall and select relevant materials and protection. Careful planning is also required for the construction stage to avoid moisture being trapped by following trades.
4. Use of timber is an example of biophilic design, what are its’ benefits?
Use of timber is an example of Biophilic design, which has a wide range of benefits.
The natural aesthetic is synonymous with wellbeing and comfort. Medical studies have shown that having views to nature decreases patient recovery time. Wood in the workplace is associated with higher productivity and reduced sick leave. The ongoing project, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, features exposed timber to utilise the biophilic benefits.
