Wood is the future, says architect

The 21st century will be the “era of renewable timber”, architect Alex de Rijke told delegates at the Building With Wood conference.

Mr de Rijke was one of 27 speakers who addressed the conference, which attracted over 260 building professionals to the University of Exeter, and said that the move towards the greater use of timber was being driven by the “global energy crisis”.

“As [the crisis] develops, and CO₂ emissions become legal issues, the 21st century will become the era of renewable timber,” said Mr de Rijke.

“The 17th and 18th centuries were the era of brick, the 19th century was the era of steel frame, and the 20th century was the era of concrete. Wood is coming into its own again.”

Designer Wayne Hemingway, chair of Building for Life, added that architects and specifiers needed to remember that design was as important as materials in creating a sustainable future.

“It’s not just about using sustainable materials,” he said. “Let’s not let serendipity and great design get lost in the process or we may find that the public don’t fully embrace sustainability.”

Building With Wood was organised and supported by a range of organisations from across the timber and sustainable building spectrum, including TRADA, South West Forest, the Devon Sustainable Building Initiative, South West Woodland Renaisance and wood for good.