Timber prize-winners at Edinburgh Napier University announced

The winners of the Scottish Timber Trade Association-sponsored prizes for students at Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Timber Engineering have been announced.

Douglas Michael Drewniak won the Best Timber-related Honours Dissertation for his project entitled “Elements of house design”, while the best student performance in the “Properties and structural use of timber” module was awarded to two students – Mark Brain and Ivan Pacheco. The module is an integral part of the second year of the BSc Civil & Timber Engineering degree.

Douglas Drewniak, who studied under the supervision of Professor Abdy Kermni, professor of timber engineering, looked at several areas of traditional house design where timber use could be introduced or expanded, especially structurally.

“I feel very strongly about the ability of wood to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in construction,” said Mr Drewniak.

STTA president Russell Paterson said he hoped the students would put their timber knowledge to good use throughout their careers.

“It is very encouraging to see that there is so much interest in the unique qualities of wood and wood products amongst students at the Centre for Timber Engineering, which bodes well for the future,” he said.

This is the fifth year that the STTA has sponsored the prizes.