A call to arms and architects

19 April 2014


Timber is grabbing headlines, says TTJ editor Mike Jeffree.


Eight out of 10 architects prefer timber according to a lead article in last week's Sunday Times homes section. Well that's being a bit fast and loose with the actuality. The article was not a survey of the materials leanings of every architect in the country. It was, in fact, only looking at 10. But they were billed as a top 10 of the UK's architect 'provocateurs', a mix of "edgy young practices and established modern gurus" - and eight of them clearly do have a penchant for wood. And this is still significant as, the article maintained, these are key players in shaping overall construction trends, and cultivating a growing UK appetite for more innovative, sustainable design.

Among the practices was Mole Architects, whose featured project was the timber-framed and timber-clad Stackyard House. Alongside was dRMM, whose WoodBlock House speaks for itself and Carl Turner, who designd Stealth Barn in "sawn timber usually used for fences".

Of course not every timber trader supplies this kind of project. But such headlinegrabbing buildings act as fantastic free advertising for the performance and design potential of wood generally. And the Sunday Times article really reinforces the argument of David Venables of the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) in our US Hardwoods Focus, that the industry should work even harder to cultivate the architectural and design professions to drive timber's market share and technical development.

In its showcase promotional projects AHEC has worked with a range of cutting-edge architects itself, including dRMM and Carl Turner. First of all, said Mr Venables, these have helped open the eyes of construction professionals to the possibilities and sheer variety of timber. But the exercise has also had value in educating AHEC - and the wider timber sector - as to what design professionals want from the material. The consequence, said Mr Venables, could be "applications we as suppliers haven't even considered".

The launch by Wood for Good of its Wood First Plus database providing timber and wood products life cycle assessment database, with technical performance information to be added later, should be a valuable tool for making more architects and designers more comfortable and confident about using the material .

But, in Mr Venables' view, the industry could still do more to cultivate construction creatives. Notably it should follow more products through to market, to build up a database of interesting timber application case studies, on the basis that "nothing interests an architect or designer so much as the work of other architects and designers".

This point is echoed by Michael Buckley, chairman of the Wood Awards judging panel this year . The event is a great shop window for timber in design and construction, he maintains, and he urges companies to get involved, both by backing it and nominating projects they've supplied, which by definition requires awareness of what products have been used for. The ultimate reward could be increased UK wood consumption.

Another ardent advocate of timber making itself more marketable through greater engagement with the market has been Timber Trade Federation chief executive John White, who sadly steps down from the role after nine years of significant achievement . In typical fashion he departs with an inspirational call to arms for the industry. Through a range of strategies, he says, it has already made major strides in increasing awareness from government through to construction of timber's inherent benefits and capabilities . Another big push, he maintains, and we'll be in a golden age for wood. Thanks John.

Mike Jeffree