Good Homes Alliance and Woodknowledge Wales commissioned an energy modelling report to compare different low energy building standards. The paper seeks to illustrate how the choice of a building standard affects the amount of renewable energy generation that is required to comply with a net zero operational outcome. The report does not take into account […]
News
Are modern UK forests suited to help restore biodiversity?
Can productive forests provide both carbon storage and enhanced biodiversity? In the public debate across national media and the twittersphere this seems unlikely. Confor’s new Biodiversity, Forestry and Wood report makes the case that planting and managing trees in the UK to produce wood can deliver biodiversity benefits as well as playing a vital role […]
Home-Grown Homes Project updates- July 2020
A new timber frame manufacturing group, an extension request for project partner Cardiff Met and trying out an overheating risk assessment tool. Home-Grown Homes project manager David Hedges, brings us the latest up dates from the project. Project Governance update The project’s Steering Group has met twice in June and July to review progress, consider […]
Re-foresting: the potential for timber villages
Results from a study on production strategies for the Northern Forest. As England is launching a consultation on its future tree planting strategy, we’re looking at results of a recent study by Simon Feather. ‘Re-Foresting: A Strategy for Production within the Northern Forest’ investigates collaborative approaches between architects and the forestry sector to define future […]
The Foundational Economy and its impact on the timber construction sector in Wales
Gary Newman, Chief Executive of Woodknowledge Wales expores what the Foundational Economy is, why Welsh Government are interested in it and what it means for the Welsh timber sector. The Welsh first Minister, Mark Drakeford AM, is increasingly considering Welsh development policy through the lens of the Foundational Economy. I’m also drawn to the Foundational […]
HGH Project Updates May 2020
While the Covid-19 pandemic has brought large parts of the industry to a standstill, we’ve been working away as best we can to progress the Home-Grown Homes project further. Project governance update Acting on recommendations from the independent project review carried out in March, Powys County Council has strengthened governance by creating a steering committee […]
Future talent for a low-carbon society
Skills shortage and lack of programmes to teach our future workforce how to build more sustainably, which techniques to use when and how to make them mainstream, and most importantly how to advance existing solutions to make the good stuff even better. Two sides of the same coin, repeated many times over, a real road […]
Developing a Welsh Wooden Windows Specification for Social Housing
On 5 May 2020 in the midst of a national lockdown with most joinery businesses closed, 15 participants from across the joinery sector kicked off a Welsh Government funded two-year programme to develop a Welsh wooden window specification for social housing with an online workshop. Welsh joinery industry passionate to act Activities setting up the […]
Why can’t I get thermally-treated Welsh timber?
Timber can be modified by a variety of methods to enhance properties and change appearance. Modification using temperature is relatively simple and extensive trials using Welsh timber have been undertaken, but so far the process has not been developed commercially in Wales. Why can’t I get thermally-treated Welsh timber? This was a question raised by […]
Construction & Whole Life Carbon. An Overview.
The construction sector is a major contributor of carbon emissions. Pressure to respond to the climate emergency means that decarbonisation is a priority for everyone who has a stake in construction. But where to start? By James Moxey, Woodknowledge Wales, 6 May 2020 Organisations considering a decarbonisation strategy that aims for low carbon or even […]
