Embracing the principles of a circular economy by prioritised material reuse not just at the end of the building’s life but from the very beginning led to a remarkably low-carbon and low-cost building
Building Elements
New pods to bring built environment learners good fabric performance skills
University of Wales Trinity St David’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre welcomed delivery of two new building performance test pods designed specifically to provide hands-on learning around fabric-first building performance
Why invest in woodfibre insulation manufacturing in Wales | Policy Briefing
Why invest in woodfibre insulation manufacturing in Wales Report
Research project launches to increase traceability and transparency in mass timber supply chains
IMPACTT project launched – Innovative Mapping and Processes to Advance Construction Timber Transparency
Wood Fibre Insulation – Specification Guidance
A building’s thermal performance is now as important an aspect of the building’s design and construction as its structure. Energy prices and climate change are often cited as the principal reasons for the increased energy and CO2 reduction standards required of our built environment. Less known is the fact that insulation can also play a major role in our health, safety, comfort and wellbeing.
Zero Carbon Homes—Zero Carbon Timber Solutions for Wales
What is the zero carbon timber housing solution for Wales? This document proposes a range of timber build solutions. Results are based on the analysis of an appropriate and future proofed definition for ‘zero carbon’, followed by design and calculation to develop an understanding of the quantifiable factors of embodied and operational carbon. Using a […]
The role of our own conifer forests for building a sustainable society in Wales
Despite wide recognition of their value, plantation forests are critically misunderstood and undervalued in Wales. Plantation forests comprise around 7% of the planet’s forest area whilst sustainably supplying over 50% of industrial roundwood. This report looks at myths and tropes around home-grown timber and considers research results from wood science and socio-economic aspects across planting, […]
Wooden Windows-Specification guidance for timber windows
Windows provide an outlook on the world. They help set the tone and character for a building and the area in which it stands. Windows define natural lighting levels and thermal comfort essential for the wellbeing of residents. They offer sound protection and keep homes safe from intrusion. Windows are an essential part of the […]
Timber Cladding—Specification Guidance for Social Housing
Timber cladding has become increasingly popular, mainly for its sustainability credentials and low environmental impact: It has a low carbon footprint as it requires less energy to produce than any other construction material and helps lock carbon into the building fabric. It is made from renewable material – wood – and can be reused, recycled […]
Wood Fibre Insulation in the UK
A relatively old report written in 2013 on wood fibre insulation in the UK authored by our now Chief Executive, Gary Newman, when acting as an independent consultant for Forestry Commission Scotland and Woodknowledge Wales. The report was never published but we consider it highly relevant to today’s discussions about how Wales can become a […]
