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We allow designers to make educated guesses for design decisions only for subject matter experts to critique and change.

This can be largely underestimated for most timber products.. We must also acknowledge that sustainable foresting cannot produce enough timber to respond to global construction needs.Engineered timber cannot substitute or offset the use of concrete and steel but its use should be prioritised in the right type of buildings.. Our response is to:.

- Ensure timber specified is of a sustainable nature, by using PEFC or FSC certification schemes.. - Have a critical view about sustainable forest management and explore alternatives.. - Interrogate timber manufacturers on their root and soil carbon accounting.. Acoustic performance.When designing with engineered timber special attention is required to reduce vibrations, noise transmission and reverberation time..The layered nature of engineered timber can improve acoustic compartmentation and if properly designed, does not need the same mass as concrete to achieve the same airborne sound resistance.

However, detailing is the main challenge and if not properly resolved it can generate sound flanking at the joints which is difficult to resolve without the use of wet trades.Creating reliable diaphragm action through slabs when trying to achieve acoustic separation and control movement is also fraught with issues.. Other acoustic considerations include the noise from building services and potential increased reverberation time due to smooth surfaces.. Our response is to:.

- Engage in early discussions with specialist timber contractors and acoustic engineers to address all potential acoustic difficulties.. - Use additional mass (increase the thickness of the slab) and acoustic ceiling and wall panels.. - Decouple floor finishes from the slab with additional insulation.. - Use alternatives to wet screeds, slab breaks above partitions, and resilient strips between CLT panels.. - Coordinate with engineers to reduce noise transmission caused by HVAC systems.. - Use in smaller size, lower buildings to reduce acoustic transmission and complexities.. Durability, rotting, installation in wet conditions.

Significant volumetric changes can occur to timber exposed to changes in moisture, including swelling perpendicular to grain direction, warping, and bending of straight elements.2 (2018).. To learn more about our Design to Value approach to design and construction, sign up for our monthly newsletter here:.

http://bit.ly/BWNewsUpdatesReusing buildings and achieving Net Zero.The UK government has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, and to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.

This means that all industries, including construction – estimated to produce around 40% of total UK carbon emissions – will need to make a big effort to reduce their environmental impact.Due to the many benefits offered by adaptive reuse architecture, the practice should be embraced as part of the industry’s shift towards more sustainable design.. Over the last few years, the construction industry has focused on the improvement of Building Regulations (including planned changes in Part-L in 2022 and 2025) and the adoption of more ambitious standards and carbon targets for new construction, following initiatives from LETI, RIBA and UKGBC.