The future of mass timber: Why the industry should utilise, not hide

Read the full article here.

It has numerous benefits and is an essential tool to meet sustainability goals yet is still not used to maximum effect throughout the construction industry.

Mass timber is now making its presence known and forcing change, particularly as the industry navigates the eco-friendly route to meet looming Net Zero goals. But some still hold reservations regarding the material, despite the various benefits it provides. Having been used in Scotland for centuries, with 75% of Scotland’s homes built from mass timber[1], it can be difficult to rationalise why people are reluctant to implement mass timber within their projects.

With advantages ranging from its lightweight nature and the timeframe to build significantly less than traditional materials, to concerns over financial costs and the fire risks involved, it is clear the industry is on the fence on which route to pursue, but it is vital they choose correctly. 

Mass timber has been implemented in various areas, including office spaces and schools, with many using this as a form of ESG (Environmental and Social Governance), and its contribution to employee well-being, which can lead to improved health and overall workplace satisfaction[2]. As well as this, the material is aesthetically pleasing and links with the idea of Biophilic design, meaning bringing the natural outside environment inside. Similarly with schools, it is said that a natural environment can improve stress and learning.

The material is becoming more favoured across the sector because of the unique benefits it provides, specifically on timing.  Building with mass timber is estimated to be 25% faster than other materials[3] which is a huge bonus compared to projects using steel and concrete which can take longer to produce.

Alongside being a sustainable material, mass timber also has various benefits as it is lightweight and easily buildable but can also be dismantled if needed. For example, when building schools, the timber structure can be dismantled and used elsewhere. Using materials such as mass timber and in some cases steel, helps create a reusable materials market, which is something the industry desperately needs. If the UK government were to create a green agenda and implement a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing plant in Scotland which uses mass timber, this could help create more jobs and ultimately a green environment, by using the available timber material in Scotland.

At Harley Haddow, we use the material in a variety of sustainability projects, some more recent examples of this are Archers Hall, a category A listed building that was redesigned to build student residences on behalf of The University of Edinburgh and XXX.

While mass timber is a structurally great and sustainable material, it can only be used up to a certain point, until concrete and steel need to be implemented. For example, the higher the building gets the stronger and more robust it needs to be. Both steel and concrete do still need to be used from time to time, despite their contribution to carbon emissions. However, it is important for those in the industry to think of innovative ways around this and only use if absolutely necessary for the project. It is crucial at the design and planning stage to assess whether steel and concrete use are essentially needed, rather than an easy, quick and familiar fix route to go down.

In my experience working in both London and now coming back to work in Edinburgh, Scotland champions using mass timber which should be taken as an example to the rest of the industry in the UK.  While it is understandable that using the material brings reservations to some, likely due to unfamiliarity and uncertainty when it comes to design and financial concerns, it can’t be simply pushed aside as an option.

A misconception of mass timber is that it can become expensive to replace if it becomes damaged, which is true if it is not kept or installed correctly. Whilst it is more prone to water damage compared to others on the market, it’s crucial that it is used respectfully to make the best use of the properties it offers and to be cost effective in the long term. Mass timber is a cheaper material to use as it doesn’t require a long building programme or as much transportation to sites compared to other materials out there. It’s also aesthetically pleasing, which is why we are seeing more of it throughout office spaces.

The industry may also be apprehensive to the idea of using it due to concerns that it may be high risk due to fire hazards.  However, there are various rules and regulations in place to combat this and to ensure the building is safe such as The Structured Timber Mass sixteen steps guide. Specifically in Scotland, there are construction firms who have specialised knowledge and expertise in building with mass timber. For those starting out on a project, this is vital as they can assist with any qualms individuals in the industry may have.

Inevitably, mass timber has been avoided in some cases due to a lack of knowledge and skillset. This is why it is important to have the right team present in project discussions to convey the need to use the material and why it isn’t something the industry should hide from but utilise. An example of this is Scotland’s influence on those down south who are starting to build homes with timber frames due to the success of this in Scotland. The UK alone has only 25% of homes made with mass timber compared to 75% in Scotland[4] but by others in regional areas utilising the material, this number has the potential to grow in recent years to come.

As someone passionate about mass timber and the sustainable aspect it provides, I would urge the industry to not shy away from the unknown but to get to know the value before dismissing it. If you are unsure about the material, read about and have conversations on it, attend relevant workshops, ensure the right people are in the room to advise and consult your design team. There are many resources out there to assist with people’s knowledge.

Despite some push backs from the industry, the future of mass timber is bright and the industry across the UK is starting to take steps to utilise and upskill on it where possible. With Net Zero goals in the near distant future, the sector has to shake up the way they do things. I hope to see more of the industry building with timber where they can and following Scotland’s prime example.

[1] https://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/news/timber-around-the-world-england-v-scotland/

[2] https://www.workdesign.com/2021/02/promoting-workplace-health-and-wellness-with-mass-timber-design-elements/

[3] https://www.thinkwood.com/blog/4-things-to-know-about-mass-timber#:~:text=Mass%20timber%20buildings%20are%20roughly,require%2090%25%20less%20construction%20traffic.

[4] https://www.structuraltimber.co.uk/news/timber-around-the-world-england-v-scotland/