Knowledge the key to going green

Understanding the properties and characteristics of unseasoned timber can help architects and engineers realise their design aspirations and truly "go green", Peter Ross of stuctural engineers Ove Arup has told a meeting of hardwood traders.

Speaking at the London Hardwood Club lunch on November 5, Mr Ross, who is also president of TRADA, said knowledge could be used to stop the reliance on seasoned timbers and see wood such as natural oak promoted as a mainstream building material.

This would allow architects and engineered to enjoy the cost saving, workability and character benefits of using all-natural materials, he said.