Woodknowledge Wales

Woodknowledge Wales

Inspiring innovation through collaboration

Home Grown Homes

Project manager – Forestry and Timber 

by

Join our growing team in Wales

Are you our future project manager – forestry and timber?

Make an impact as our Forestry and Timber expert

 Are you passionate about expanding the role of trees and timber in society? Are you committed to improving the sustainability of our built and natural environments? Would you like to work with us in Wales? You would be joining a small and highly motivated multi-disciplinary team. As our Project Manager for Forestry and Timber activities you will help to strengthen relationships across the forestry supply chain to build knowledge and trust and accelerate the transition to a zero carbon Wales. You will be instrumental in creating new insights into the links between land-use, forest management, timber processing, timber manufacturing and low carbon construction. You will be involved in all aspects of our work from forest creation up to completed buildings. 

Download job description

To download the PDF version

Click here

Job description and person specification summary 

 JOB TITLE Project Manager – Forestry and Timber 
PURPOSE OF JOB To be responsible for the delivery of the forest industries aspects of the Home-Grown Homes Project and support the Woodknowledge Wales team in delivering on its wider mission and purpose 
REPORTING TO Gary Newman, CEO Woodknowledge Wales. 
SUPPORTED BY David Hedges (Home-Grown Homes Project Manager), Chris Jones (forestry advisor), Dainis Dauksta (wood science and timber processing advisor) 
LOCATION Predominantly home-based with an expectation to travel anywhere within Wales and the borders as required by the job 
AREA OF WORK Throughout Wales working with organisations in the timber supply chain from forest to end-product 
HOURS OF WORK Full-time. Some long days and weekend working may be required from time to time including occasional overnight stays 
SALARY Between £30k and £40k depending on experience 
DURATION This is a permanent job. However, funding for this post is currently secured until 31st March 2025. We expect funding to continue for a further 2 years to March 2027, after which time Woodknowledge Wales aims to be largely self-financing 
HOW TO APPLY Send CV with a covering letter stating why you believe you are suited to the post to gary.newman@woodknowledgewales.co.uk  
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION 17th April 2023 
DATE & LOCATION for INTERVIEW Provisional: 27th and 28th April 2023  Location: TBA (ideally in-person but possibly online via Zoom) 

About the Home-Grown Homes Project 

This opportunity is being supported through the Welsh Government funded Home-Grown Homes project. This multi award-winning project started in 2018 by encouraging Welsh Housing Associations (who build approximately 1 out of 3 new homes in Wales) to build with timber and working with the supply chain to help enable delivery. The project has led to many new low carbon timber-based housing developments and has inspired new Welsh Government policies across housing, the economy, forestry and timber sales from the state forest. Our work has been commended internationally and some of our best practice guidance has been recommended for use to the design community by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Home-Grown Homes project began by creating a coalition of the willing. The purpose of this next phase of the project is in a large part to support Welsh Government meet its new policy objectives and aspirations across forestry, construction and land-use to help drive forward the low carbon, circular and foundational economy. 

Key Responsibilities 

You will be responsible for delivery of the forestry and timber aspects of the Home-Grown Homes Project (HGHP2) as described in the Woodknowledge Wales project proposal (provided on request). You will set the work programme, coordinating delivery partners, reporting on progress and take responsibility for delivery of outputs. You will be supported by the Chief Executive of Woodknowledge Wales, and the Woodknowledge Wales project team which includes experts in forestry, sawmilling, manufacturing, housing, wood science, timber construction, communication and systems change. 

This work includes: 

● Being able to work effectively with a diverse range of organisations from the forestry sector, the timber processors, timber manufacturers, trade bodies and academic institutes. 

● Identifying opportunities for innovation and change across the supply chain to help deliver on Woodknowledge Wales vision for Wales to become a high-value forest nation 

● Working with Woodknowledge Wales’s Communities of Practice 

● Managing subcontractors 

● Leading the relationship with the forestry and timber processing organisations 

● Preparing progress reports and contributing to the writing articles for Woodknowledge Wales newsletters and website 

● Producing written outputs for publication 

● In addition, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to the overall mission of Woodknowledge Wales and help design, organise and participate in events such as webinars, workshops and conferences (incl. the annual WoodBUILD conference and expo) 

Key abilities / experience 

We are looking for someone who can work closely with a small team in a flexible and supportive way across job boundaries. You must be able to engage with all relevant individuals and organisations in the supply chain from forest to construction sector. You must be able to do this in a way that promotes trust and supports the mission and purpose of Woodknowledge Wales as an independent for-public-good organisation. You must be able to communicate with empathy and clarity in discussion around complex challenges to landscapes and communities posed by climate change. 

Person Specification 

Essential criteria (Knowledge / Experience / Skills / Other) 

● Have a forestry qualification wood science or related qualification and/or relevant experience 

● Project management and decision-making 

● Financial management of programmes and projects 

● Evidence of effective partnership working 

● knowledge of timber products and their uses 

● Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office 

● An organised self-starter, able to manage own workload and work independently to tight time scales 

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – specifically the ability to work closely with partner organisations 

● Excellent problem-solving skills, coming up with ideas and solutions as issues arise. Able to use ‘critical thinking’ in examining complex, problems 

● Willingness to work in a flexible way and respond to changing circumstances 

● Able to discuss technical aspects of forestry and wood products clearly with a wide range of industry players, stakeholders, politicians, owners etc 

● Full, clean driving license and access to a car for travel throughout those parts of Wales where there is limited access to public transport 

Desirable criteria: 

● Have experience of land management issues and a robust knowledge of the competing interests of production forestry, biodiversity, access, recreation etc and the need to balance social and economic demands 

● Knowledge of the forestry timber processing and timber construction sector (preferably in Wales). 

● Working knowledge/experience in Government funding programme requirements and related audit criteria 

● Be up to date with changes in legislation etc which impact on the forestry supply chain 

● Understanding and experience of wider delivery of social value through investment programmes. 

● Public speaking skills 

● Welsh language skills 

About Woodknowledge Wales 

Woodknowledge Wales is an independent mission driven membership alliance. We are a charitable Community Benefits Society, which is a form of cooperative that exists for the benefit of society. We are governed by a voluntary board. We aim to create and share knowledge to accelerate change. We believe that timber demand and supply can be better aligned and more purposefully driven to deliver greater climate change mitigation and biodiversity enhancement across land use and construction. We are transparent and collaborative in our approach. We are a change organisation driven by impact rather than income. 

We are a small interdisciplinary team of driven individuals motivated to inspire, catalyse and accelerate the transformation to a regenerative zero carbon society through the growing of trees and the use of wood. We believe that the most effective way to do this is to build trust in the change agenda by supporting organisations involved in both timber use and supply. We seek to capture and share the knowledge gained by holding engaging events, by creating informative case studies, by developing new guidance and through inspiring communication. We support policy makers to create enabling policies and then help overcome barriers to implementation. 

How to apply

Send CV with a covering letter stating why you believe you are suited to the post. Send this information via email to Gary Newman

Click here to get in touch and apply

Communications & Events Manager

by

Join our dynamic team in Wales

Could you be our future communications and events executive?

Apply your passion for purposeful communications with us!

 Are you passionate about creating a low-carbon future that allows people to thrive on a healthy planet? Do you enjoy developing creative ideas and communicating with different stakeholders across a variety of channels including social media? Are you comfortable taking responsibility and delivering tasks on your own as much as working in a small team? Then work with us in Wales! 

You will be part of a small, highly motivated, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to increasing the role of forestry and timber to support the decarbonisation of our built environment. 

As the communication and events executive, you will be a key driving force behind Woodknowledge Wales and its success. You will be instrumental in inspiring a positive can-do approach within our organisation and networks. Together with our project partners and a highly committed team, you will help to create a compelling case for timber construction, local manufacturing, home-grown timber and afforestation in Wales and thereby help to transform Wales into a low carbon, more resilient forest nation. 

Download job description

To download the PDF version

Click here

Job description and person specification summary

 JOB TITLE Communication and events manager 
PURPOSE OF JOB To support delivery of the communication, events and network management aspects of the Home-Grown Homes Project (HGHP2) and Woodknowledge Wales wider mission and purpose. 
REPORTING TO Gary Newman (CEO) and Christiane Lellig (Communications and Marketing Manager) 
SUPPORTED BY The Woodknowledge Wales team 
LOCATION Predominantly home-based with an expectation to travel anywhere within Wales and the borders as required 
AREA OF WORK Throughout Wales working with our stakeholders across the timber supply chain from forest to end product 
HOURS OF WORK Full-time. Some long days and weekend working may be required from time to time including occasional overnight stays. Part-time considered.
SALARY Between £25k and £35k depending on experience 
DURATION This is a permanent job. However, funding for this post is currently secured until 31st March 2025. We expect funding to continue to March 2027 
HOW TO APPLY Send CV with a covering letter stating why you believe you are suited to the post to gary.newman@woodknowledgewales.co.uk 
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION 17th April 2023 
DATE & LOCATION for INTERVIEW Provisional: 27th and 28th April 2023  Location: TBA (ideally in-person but possibly online via Zoom) 

About the Home-Grown Homes Project 

This opportunity is being supported through the Welsh Government funded Home-Grown Homes project. This multi award-winning project started in 2018 by encouraging Welsh Housing Associations (who build approximately 1 out of 3 new homes in Wales) to build with timber and working with the supply chain to help enable delivery. The project has led to many new low carbon timber-based housing developments and has inspired new Welsh Government policies across housing, the economy, forestry and timber sales from the state forest. Our work has been commended internationally and some of our best practice guidance has been recommended for use to the design community by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). The Home-Grown Homes project began by creating a coalition of the willing. The purpose of this next phase of the project is in a large part to support Welsh Government meet its new policy objectives and aspirations across forestry, construction and land-use to help drive forward the low carbon, circular and foundational economy. 

Key Responsibilities 

You will be responsible for implementing the communications and stakeholder engagement plan of the Home-Grown Homes Project (HGHP2) by bringing its ideas to life in creative and engaging ways. The plan is available on demand. 

Content management 

Your tasks include coordinating, editing and managing our social media accounts, newsletters, publications and website as well as curating our image and video library. In short, you will be in charge of our online and offline content. 

Events management 

You will help organise and promote our conferences, workshops and training events. You will work with team members and external delivery partners to ensure the smooth running and delivery of a range of private and public facing activities. 

Stakeholder management 

You will be responsible for stakeholder management. In this role you will coordinate stakeholder engagement across the team and communicate with our networks and members. 

Monitoring and evaluation 

You will monitor and evaluate our communications activities across all channels. 

You will work with the communication and marketing manager and will be supported by the Chief Executive and our project team which includes experts in forestry, housing, manufacturing, wood science, timber construction, and systems change. 

Key abilities / experience 

We are looking for someone with the ability to work closely with a small team in a flexible and supportive way across job boundaries and who is comfortable working from home. You must be able to engage with all relevant individuals and organisations in the supply chain from forest to construction sector in in a way that promotes trust and supports the mission and purpose of Woodknowledge Wales as a for-public-good organisation. 

You must be able to develop an understanding of the complex challenges to landscapes and communities posed by climate change and to communicate with empathy and clarity in discussions around these. 

Person Specification 

  • Relevant experience in communication, marketing, event management 
  • Project management and decision-making skills. Ability to prioritise and manage multiple project tasks and deadlines. 
  • Stakeholder engagement and management skills. Evidence of effective partnership working. 
  • Journalistic skills and evidence of engaging content delivery across multiple formats. Ability to write in an engaging style 
  • Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office, online conferencing tools (e.g. Zoom, Teams) 
  • Working knowledge in the use of content and event management software (e.g. Mailchimp, Hootsuite, Eventbrite, WordPress) 
  • An organised self-starter, able to manage own workload and work independently to tight time-scales 
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – specifically the ability to work closely with network organisations 
  • Willingness to work in a flexible way and respond to changing circumstances 

Desirable criteria 

  • Design skills and the ability to use relevant design software (e.g. Adobe, Photoshop, etc.) 
  • Welsh language skills 
  • Public speaking skills to deliver presentations and facilitate public meetings. 
  • Full, clean driving license and access to a car for travel throughout those parts of Wales where there is limited access to public transport 

About Woodknowledge Wales 

Woodknowledge Wales is an independent mission driven membership alliance. We are a charitable Community Benefits Society, which is a form of cooperative that exists for the benefit of society. We are governed by a voluntary board. We aim to create and share knowledge to accelerate change. We believe that timber demand and supply can be better aligned and more purposefully driven to deliver greater climate change mitigation and biodiversity enhancement across land use and construction. We are transparent and collaborative in our approach. We are a change organisation driven by impact rather than income. 

We are a small interdisciplinary team of driven individuals motivated to inspire, catalyse and accelerate the transformation to a regenerative zero carbon society through the growing of trees and the use of wood. We believe that the most effective way to do this is to build trust in the change agenda by supporting organisations involved in both timber use and supply. We seek to capture and share the knowledge gained by holding engaging events, by creating informative case studies, by developing new guidance and through inspiring communication. We support policy makers to create enabling policies and then help overcome barriers to implementation. 

How to apply

Send CV with a covering letter stating why you believe you are suited to the post. Send this information via email to Gary Newman 

Click here to get in touch and apply

Learning to build better homes

by


Since the formal end of the Home-Grown Homes Project in March we’ve been applying the learning from it with social landlords. We’re moving from research into implementation – inviting social landlords to identify projects we could support them on. We have also formed a community of practice for our member development teams which has so far focussed on the key challenges in creating net zero carbon housing solutions. Our WoodBUILD events programme has been focussed on supporting social landlords and their partners to meet the new Welsh Development Quality Requirements 2021. The events have mostly been held virtually and have brought together experts in the field to contribute their thinking on action each organisation can take to respond.

The 2021 WDQR – Creating Beautiful Homes and Spaces

For readers unfamiliar with the new housing standards social landlords have to meet, they represent a significant change of approach for Welsh Government, which both funds and regulates them. It’s been a long-awaited review and its outcome is ambitious. They set minimum standards but encourage something better. And it’s not just about the homes but the spaces created around them.

WoodBUILD

The Launch Event kicked off with a welcome from Shayne Hembrow of Wales & West who with Welsh Government are WoodBUILD sponsors. It brought together Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters, Campbell Lammie, one of the new standard architects and Pobl’s Neil Barber.

Exciting people about trees

100 virtual delegates heard Lee express his admiration for Woodknowledge Wales’ contribution to the ‘deep dive’ into tree planting. Society’s view on trees, wood, timber and forests he described is atrophied and not mature. ‘We need to excite people about trees and what they can do for us’. He talked of an alliance for change to get things done on tree planting where we needed to plant 86 million trees in 9 years, the enormity of which he thinks we haven’t yet grasped and which wasn’t helped by the ‘alien’ perception farmers have of tree planting. He wants to build a wood economy at the heart of which is creating 20,000 homes using MMC and timber solutions. He also sees an industry needing to adapt and to ask what the best use of trees is – garden fences or homes that displace carbon? As far as he is concerned, we need to plant more trees and make better use of the ones we do plant, to maximise the economic value – a genuinely exciting and huge challenge which he promised to drive forward with the deep dive group.

Raising the bar for new developments

Campbell Lammie gave a quick summary of the WDQR 2021, the first change in standards since the launch of the Development Quality Requirements in 2005. He described them as ‘raising the bar’ in a non-prescriptive way which, he hoped would produce better designs and a dialogue with the sector, given the need to respond to the climate emergency, move away from fossil fuels, favour a fabric first approach and encourage the use of timber. Campbell outlined the opportunities for using timber, an approach which he felt was made more likely by the consideration of upfront embodied carbon assessment likely in his view to be something which would become mandatory in the future with Net Zero Carbon taking more of a ‘front seat’. He was aware of the ambition in England to introduce whole life carbon assessment and ‘Part Z’. The target for projects to reach EPC A, with a fabric focus and an end to the use of fossil fuels could Campbell acknowledged be at odds with the ambition to lower carbon and this is where alternative approaches like Passivhaus came into play. Space standards were being mandated for the first time, gigabit broadband and attaining Secured by Design Gold standard were also features which would be included in a review in 2023.

Dealing with increasing complexity

Neil Barber, in responding identified several positives including clarity of policy, significant funding and alignment of funding streams, ambition in scale and requirements on quality, space and sustainability.  He identified the role of social landlords: creating timber system coherence, confidence, certainty and demand for the supply chain, sharing endeavour and moving beyond pilots. He described opportunities in standardisation, designing for manufacturing and assembly (off site), apprenticeships and training, investing in local economies and communities and recognition of timber as a low carbon material along with sustainably managed forests as a carbon store. He acknowledged the need for urgency in saying ‘we’ve kicked the can down the road for too long’. The delivery challenges included increasing complexity in the development process, lack of resources across many areas, rapid change, material price hikes and delivery delays.
Delegates posed questions on extending the standards to all homes, the availability of passivhaus type metrics, the skills challenge and tree planting performance. This is only the start of an ongoing dialogue. If you would like to be part of this conversation, please get in touch with david.hedges@woodknowledgewales.co.uk.

Reality bites: confronting our progress and set-backs—An update on the Welsh Timber Windows project

by


It all sounded so straight forward: Bring some interested joinery businesses together, agree a joint window specification based on the type of windows they currently manufacture to PAS24 standard, define protocols and processes, then get certification. Done.
From the outset, we knew it would be more complex than that, of course. There are the technical aspects, requirements for group assessments, questions of capacity, business terms and agreements and then there are aspects of human interaction, the notion of collaboration and change in an environment defined by competitiveness and relatively low margins. What we didn’t anticipate was Covid and the ensuing run on wooden windows. The high demand has not subsided since it first started in summer 2020 and is forecast to last at least until next spring. This has put our participating joiners under massive pressure and forced us to embrace a stop-and-go approach in our project progress.
Our project set out to support local joinery businesses as well as social housing landlords and developers in Wales by linking up the supply chain and resolving current barriers to adoption of low-carbon high quality timber windows. If local joinery businesses are already at capacity and our project is adding another burden to their work, then we need to challenge our approach.
How could we alter our current approach to suit the needs of existing manufacturers and clients? What could alternatives to our group scheme look like? Should we investigate options to set up a Welsh window manufacturing cooperative with investment from Welsh Government and/or Housing Associations which specifically supplies the social housing sector and integrates a training and employment programme for social housing tenants? Should we look at inward investment and joint ventures with Welsh timber frame manufacturers? How can we tap into the collective intelligence of our network to create a good solution?

A year has passed and still no window?

Our last public update on the project dates from about a year ago, so what happened since then?
Based on feedback from social housing landlords, we had agreed on specifications for a standard casement window fit for the current market, with a high-performance window in line with future demand to be further developed in a second step. The original specification, agreed in November 2020, has marginally changed through the collaboration of three vanguard joinery businesses who have benefited from the SMART Innovation programme support. While businesses are ready to manufacture a prototype for simulation and testing, we are now awaiting the publication of the latest standards – PAS24/2020 – as do our hardware suppliers. These will determine requirements for Secured by Design certification and specifically which hardware we can choose. Unfortunately, this causes another delay in the project.
In the meantime, we’re working with Welsh Government officials to find a suitable solution for group assessment and certification with Secured by Design.

Business matters – who coordinates tenders and contracts

Over the past few months, we had discussions with joinery businesses, housing associations and local authorities to establish how we could best organise the coordination of tenders and contracts between one client – developer/social landlord or their principal contractor – and a number of manufacturers supplying windows to the same project.

Given the three options above, both clients and manufacturers expressed a shared preference for the “neutral vendor”. The consortium model has very few takers among joiners and direct sales is not in the client’s interest where several manufacturers are involved in the windows supply. This is particularly interesting, given that the Neutral Vendor is a concept gleaned from the recruitment sector, and was suggested as an ‘out of the box’ option by a joinery business in our community. We are now working with a small group of manufacturers and clients to explore how the Neutral Vendor model can work in practice. We are considering all aspects including pricing, branding and marketing.

Managing material price and shortages

Another area of shared interest between clients and manufacturers is the potential for procurement efficiencies by establishing a buying group and reflecting such cost efficiencies in the window pricing. The focus of such joint procurement would be on types of material where price points can be achieved. In the current situation of material shortages, long lead times and price hikes, some manufacturers suggested to negotiate orders with price freezes with suppliers of timber, glazing or hardware for the period from bidding to actual purchase.
In this context, some clients requested manufacturers hold stock of any elements that might require replacing over the mid- to long term, such as hinges and handles. The client’s focus on whole-life-costs needs to be considered in procurement approaches and material choices by the window supplier. This prospective look on future costs is a question of quality and trust.

What ensures quality and trust?

Quality assurance is very important for clients and joinery manufacturers alike. This accounts as much for the relationship between the window suppliers and the client as it does for the relationship between the joiners in the group. Manufacturers are crucially aware that in a group scheme their commercial success and reputation ultimately depends on consistent quality of products and services across all businesses. If anyone fails, the impact will be felt by all.
In addition to Secured By Design auditing, joiners suggest making BWF membership a mandatory requirement for all manufacturers of the Welsh timber window. They would demand installers to be FENSA registered and to have proven experience installing timber windows. Guidance on all processes such as transport, storage on site and installation would be specified in writing. The same would apply to maintenance instructions. In the case of damage and defects, each manufacturer would be responsible for sorting issues within their scope for the goods they delivered. To facilitate this, each window would be traceable to the manufacturer.

Whole-Life approach: carbon, cost and maintenance

The whole life approach being championed in the new Welsh Development Quality Requirements (WDQR) introduced in October 2021 has an instant impact on how social housing developers and landlords consider building elements. We believe this is good news for the specification of high-quality timber windows but does increase the information requirements of the client. This includes relevant information on lifespan guaranteed, whole life costs and maintenance cycles, whole life carbon performance and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD).
Our discussions with housing asset managers have raised some concerns. Costs for scaffolding to re-coat upper-floor windows, potential for sagging in certain types of windows as a function of window weight against hinges, ease of cleaning and general need for regular maintenance rank at the top of the list. As part of this we are exploring the benefits of inward opening windows for cleaning, maintenance and repair. These types of windows are standard throughout continental Europe. However, like all building elements windows are part of a system and we need to clarify what else would need to change, e.g. in the way they are installed or positioned within the window reveal, to better accommodate timber windows in Welsh social housing.
While a number of recent housing developments in Wales and across the UK feature inward opening windows, we still encounter frequent concerns that windows won’t open when tenants choose to have blinds installed, that residents can no longer use the inside window sills for ornaments, that these European style windows look out of place in Welsh housing, that water will come in when windows are opened after rainfall etc. We are curious to learn from social housing landlords who have chosen inward opening windows, how they have dealt with these perceived issues in practice. Have outside shutters been installed to offer enhanced security and shading? How have blinds been installed to allow window opening? What were the tenants’ reactions?

Challenging our approach

This all may sound quite exciting, but the hard reality is that we have a project delay of over 12 months. More and more social housing developers ask us where they can get hold of SBD certified timber windows whilst most joinery businesses tell us they are continuously working beyond capacity and there is no end in sight. Clients confirm they struggle to get quotes from Welsh manufacturers.
There are a number of concerns from joiners regarding payment terms and expected turnaround of orders for commercial projects like social housing. Many small businesses pay weekly wages. Payment terms for commercial contracts are 60-90 days. Turnaround is often expected within 6 weeks. Material costs are volatile. This mix threatens smaller businesses’ cash flow. A larger project which appears lucrative on the surface may take a window manufacturer into administration if there are delays or unforeseen costs or it may not be financially feasible from the outset.
For most joinery businesses participation in the project is mostly not driven by commercial consideration but by community interest – it’s a good thing to do. Investment in tooling is driven by the prospect of demand for the ‘new’ windows but joiners are unsure how much demand there will actually be, all while trying to juggle full order books and staff shortages for the last 18 months. At some point they will need to breathe. Innovation and collaboration demand considerable time commitment and head space. Both seem not easily available at present or in the near future.
Our project set out to support local joinery businesses as well as social housing landlords and developers in Wales by linking up the supply chain and resolving current barriers to adoption of low-carbon high quality timber windows. If local joinery businesses are already at capacity and our project is adding another burden to their work, then we need to challenge our approach.
How could we alter our current approach to suit the needs of existing manufacturers and clients? What could we learn from community finance projects to help small businesses with temporary cash flow issues in larger commercial projects?
What could alternatives to our group scheme look like? Should we investigate options to set up a Welsh window manufacturing cooperative with investment from Welsh Government and/or Housing Associations which specifically supplies the social housing sector and integrates a training and employment programme for social housing tenants? Should we look at inward investment and joint ventures with Welsh timber frame manufacturers?
We’re not asking for answers on a postcard. Instead, we invite you to get in touch and share your thoughts and ideas on this matter with us. The only way we can create a good solution is by tapping into the collective intelligence of our network and beyond.
Find more about the Welsh Timber Windows project.

Creating net zero carbon homes and communities in Wales

by


The Home-Grown Homes Project moves into a new phase. Our research findings on how we can use more of the timber we produce to deliver net zero carbon homes for social housing are all available in hands-on guidance, specification tools and reports. Now is the time to start delivering future homes that meet net zero carbon requirements and help create hundreds of new jobs and apprenticeships in Wales. We are looking for partner organisations across the supply chain seeking to further develop and deliver net zero whole life carbon solutions. We are offering support in the transition to a socially just zero carbon society with forests and woodlands at its heart.

New standards for new and existing homes

Welsh Government’s standards for new homes and existing homes will include a focus on carbon reduction. Knowing how to measure carbon and more importantly, how to reduce it will become essential for housing professionals in development and asset management teams alike. To support local authorities and housing associations in delivering zero carbon solutions, we are offering a number of options for collaboration. Our work is guided by the five principles set out in the Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Homes framework.

The route to net zero housing

A first workshop with development professionals in local authorities and housing associations in April considered the changes Welsh Government will introduce to our new and existing homes standards.
The route to zero carbon will be ‘accelerated’ over the life of the next Senedd term. All new housing will need to meet net zero carbon requirements in order to secure grant funding from Welsh Government. This means that we all have to understand and learn how to measure, analyse and ultimately reduce the embodied carbon in our homes.
Achieving net zero whole life carbon requires minimising carbon and energy demand, using only renewable energy, minimising the performance gap and offsetting ‘the last mile’ by investing into woodland creation and management.

Priorities for action

During the workshop development professionals from housing associations and local authorities shared their priorities within the zero carbon agenda. These include agreeing definitions, assessing viability particularly for low occupancy homes, improving procurement, carbon literacy training, getting buy-in from the supply chain, making the case for zero carbon, maximising the potential of MMC, helping with the retrofit challenge and creating opportunities to share learning and experience.

What type of support?

Facilitating knowledge exchange, providing information and connecting the supply chain are main areas where housing professionals are seeking support from Woodknowledge Wales. Our ambition is to help social landlords grow their own carbon capability and capacity in achieving net zero carbon. We plan on creating a community of practice so our collective knowledge and experience can be openly shared and discussed.
From May 2021, our team will be strengthened by Diana Waldron. Fresh from her role at Cardiff Met University, she will join the team to offer support in tackling building performance evaluation and embodied carbon.

Delivering future homes

Our plan is to develop a portfolio of projects and activities where we can focus our support with local authorities and housing associations. If you have a suitable project in the pipeline for the coming 2 years, please contact David Hedges at david.hedges@woodknowledgewales.co.uk.

Workshop for asset managers

We are holding a workshop for asset managers on 6th May to discuss the potential of zero carbon and repair, maintenance and improvement with view to the revised Welsh Housing Quality Standard due later in the year. Contact David Hedges for more details and to attend.

How to achieve zero carbon timber housing in Wales? Five options for further investigation.

by


In 2019 we presented a strategy (Zero Carbon Homes) for the integration of the Welsh forest industries supply chain with offsite timber construction. Focussed particularly on home-grown timber, we set out a series of key actions to transform the use of home-grown timber in house building through increasing supply chain integration, encouraging a focus on producing high-value construction products and addressing the lack of tree planting in Wales.
Since then, the call for a zero carbon off-site timber construction solution has grown louder in Wales and from a wider audience, encompassing manufacturers, housing associations and the construction industry. Whilst a number of Welsh timber frame manufacturers have the experience and capability to deliver advanced high performance timber systems capable of meeting Passivhaus equivalent performance, this is far from the norm.
Local and national policy has focussed attention on the increased use of Modern Methods of Construction, the climate emergency has added to the essential need for a swift and dramatic improvement of energy performance in new build construction, and the innovative housing programme has continued to highlight both the immense opportunity available for the Welsh supply chains and the fundamental issues associated with design and procurement.
This presents the simple question: What is a zero carbon timber solution for Wales?
The Zero Carbon Homes: Zero Carbon Timber Solutions guidance proposes a range of timber-based build solutions to achieve zero carbon. These were developed under a future proofed definition for ‘zero carbon’ as well as design and calculation to develop an understanding of the quantifiable factors of embodied and operational carbon. Using a fabric first approach, the examination of existing and alternative timber construction methods, materials and systems offers a range of developed timber solutions that are capable of meeting the target fabric specification. These include information on whole carbon emission and offsetting calculations for a range of key typologies demonstrating the routes to Zero Carbon.
The guidance presents research findings and actions for decision making, training and skills, technical development and testing, design and modelling tools relevant for designers, manufacturers, specifiers and clients seeking to deliver zero carbon homes.

House types for zero carbon developments

As part of the study a number of house type designs were compared in terms of their performance across five principles to achieve zero carbon.
When arranged as a semi-detached structure, the traditional two-storey, two-bed home designed for four people (house type 1) presents a significant challenge in reducing total energy demand and overall carbon footprint. As a consequence, a greater intervention is required to capture carbon and therefore compensate for the carbon emissions if a development of this house type is to reach net-zero whole life carbon. A terraced arrangement of the same house type both reduces the heating demand and the overall carbon footprint which in turn reduces offsetting requirements significantly.
A three-storey town house designed for four people (house type 7) has a smaller footprint and is taller with the same quantity of space allocated over three storeys. Arranged as a semi-detached, this performs better than house type 1. When arranged as a terrace the total energy demand is significantly below the RIBA targets for 2030, 10 years ahead of schedule. However, the embodied carbon impacts are still challenging. We need to work much harder to reduce these if we are to achieve the targets established by RIBA.
Structural timber solutions and renewable insulation products offer significant potential savings in upfront carbon, a priority for reduction measures, and store more carbon within the building’s fabric for the lifetime of the building. These solutions are supported by a rigorous process of evidence gathering as presented in the guidance.

How to achieve Zero Carbon: 5 principles.

Our Net Zero Carbon framework identifies five principles to achieve zero carbon homes.
Minimise Operational Energy Demand
We have remodelled a typical 2-Bed, 4-person home so that its Total Energy Use Intensity is less than 35 kWh/m2/yr and its Space Heating Demand is designed to be less than 15 kWh/m2/yr. RIBA’s 2030 target of a space heating demand of 15kWh/m2 is challenging but can be achieved using a high quality, high performance airtight fabric with U-Values in the region of 0.1W/m2k which is thermal bridge free. Less compact designs (e.g. bungalows, detached and semi-detached) have higher form factors so require either a higher performing fabric (i.e. < 0.1W/m2k) to achieve the desired 15 kWh/m2/yr or will require a higher rate of energy to heat them. Rethinking the orientation of structures and layouts including glazing allows us to maximise the use of the sun’s energy to heat our homes whilst managing overheating risk. Our modelling shows benefits in the region of up to 3.5 kWh/m2 through optimising orientation and layout.
Minimise Embodied carbon
We have modelled five advanced timber frame panels which emit up-front carbon of less than 69kg CO2e/m2 and whole-life embodied carbon of approximately 180kg CO2e/m2, reductions of over 60% and 23% respectively over a standard timber frame solution. The most important time to reduce CO2 emissions is now. Achieving up-front CO2 emissions of less than 300kgCO2e/m2 is challenging but can be achieved if high-value timber components are employed in the manufacture and construction of housing. Clients should consult with the supply-chain to ensure that fabric solutions can be delivered that achieve both embodied carbon and operational energy targets.
Only Use Renewable Energy
Micro-renewables such as solar panels installed on a roof will create energy that can be used to heat a home, to charge an electric vehicle or to sell energy to the national grid. Solar panels and heat pumps also reduce the reliance of our homes on energy derived from burning fossil fuels. They therefore have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions. However, there is no such thing as clean energy – there is a carbon footprint incurred in manufacturing and installing pumps, panels and batteries, and like all emerging technologies their predicted lifetime can be shorter (and thus have a higher carbon footprint) than designed. The existing SAP calculation method relied upon by Building Regulations incentivises the use of renewables to achieve a high EPC rating whilst the fabric performance (in terms of both embodied carbon and operational energy demands) of that building may be neglected. This should be considered.
Minimise the performance gap
Building performance is a complex issue. Hence, minimising the performance gap requires joined up thinking between client, designer, main contractor, manufacturers, and any sub-contracted businesses. Adoption of a strict and contractually robust quality assurance system is crucial. Appointing an individual responsible for ensuring quality at all levels including monitoring final material choices, manufacturing processes, construction detailing, and key performance characteristics such as levelling, airtightness, and moisture ingress would help achieve targets. Combining standardised specifications for fabric proposals and repeatable housing models allows to employ Building Information Modelling (BIM) which incorporates detailed whole life cycle carbon modelling.
Offset to below zero
Offsetting should be considered as a last resort when all efforts to reduce CO2 emissions to net zero through design, material choices and construction methods have been exploited. As an example: a development of 100 homes emits about 8000 tonnes of CO2 and stores around 2500 tonnes of carbon in the form of timber products. It would therefore need an offset planting scheme that captures the remaining 5500 tonnes of CO2. This is equivalent to a 30 hectare woodland containing a mix of broadleaf and conifers and could be an interesting financial asset.
Net-Zero targets for Wales

Where next?

The results of this study are considered a first stage in a longer journey which we have already begun with eleven local authorities in Wales, supported by the Innovative Housing Programme. Setting out to establish a net zero carbon solution for Wales, alternative proposals are being examined. These remain viable but require further focussed investigation in a collaborative approach with industry specialists, timber supply chain, clients and design professionals to

  • develop agreed solutions for certification, testing and warranty system approval including fire safety, thermal performance and quality assurance
  • technically resolve, prototype, test and apply new and evolved solutions for manufacture and assembly to develop one of more of the fabric proposals
  • identify supply chain opportunities and constraints
  • assess build ability and advancement of offsite manufacturing opportunities
  • identify development requirements for training and infrastructure
  • develop design thinking and identify zero carbon design tools
  • consider procurement and identify a pathway to developing a connected, robust and fair supply chain that can deliver zero carbon housing at scale to meet whole life cost and carbon objectives.

Delivering these objectives will require collaboration at a scale that is not common in the construction industry. But the opportunity is huge.
If you would like to get involved in the journey ahead, please contact James.moxey@woodknowledgewales.co.uk.

Zero Carbon Homes—Zero Carbon Timber Solutions for Wales

by

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 fabric first approach, an examination of existing and alternative timber construction methods, materials and systems offers a range of developed timber solutions that are capable of meeting the target fabric specification. These include information on whole carbon emission and offsetting calculations for a range of key typologies demonstrating the routes to Zero.
The detailed report presents findings from the Home-Grown Homes Project including actions for further detailed design, training and skills, technical development and testing, design and modelling tools. These may be relevant for designers, manufacturers, specifiers and clients.
DOWNLOAD REPORT

5 Essential Strategies for an Emerging Forest Nation

by

Wales is not a forest nation. Wales is a sheep, beef and dairy nation. Wales is a steel nation.
Like many nations, Wales is the economic country it is, not by political design but largely because of historical accident. And there has never been a better time or more reason to change. We have left the European Union and have also declared a Climate Emergency. A more purposeful approach is now required to achieve the net zero carbon goals set by Welsh Government
Therefore, we are proposing five integrated strategies for how Wales can achieve a just transition to become a new high-value forest nation. A transition that would create substantial employment and a transition for which Wales has many natural advantages.
Wales has suitable and available land for afforestation, fantastic climate for growing the kind of trees that industry needs, the land and workforce for new industries and proximity to almost limitless export markets for high-value timber products.
Wales must move towards more sustainable low-carbon industrial and land-use options that are geared to meeting the resource needs of the low-carbon society and that are economically viable.
Wales is starting from a long way back. This paper sets out how our slow start can be turned to our strategic advantage if Welsh Government decides to lead in the adoption of integrated economic policies outlined in this paper that are purposefully aligned across our construction, manufacturing and land-use sectors.
DOWNLOAD BRIEFING

The role of our own conifer forests for building a sustainable society in Wales

by

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, forest management, timber grading and processing.
Modern British sustainable forest management techniques were established 150 years ago and are still appropriate for efficiently growing construction grade softwoods. Exemplar stands of high grade Douglas fir in north Wales grow some of the largest conifer trees existing in Europe. Older conifer stands across Wales have great potential to produce high grade joinery softwood. Sitka spruce forests are routinely denigrated, nevertheless over 95% of Welsh spruce sawlogs can be graded to strength class from C16 to C27 because of Sitka spruce’s high strength to weight ratio. Yet, quality is regularly used as a weasel word in order to reinforce negative views about Welsh homegrown softwoods.
The FAO reported in 2013 that current trends in European forest management could result in an over-supply of wood from broadleaved species, as well as a shortfall of coniferous timber. Planted forests are exposed to socio-economic risks due to governance failures. These risks comprise a weak or inadequate forest policy framework including insecure investment conditions.
DOWNLOAD REPORT

Wooden Windows-Specification guidance for timber windows

by

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 building fabric and as such contribute to a development’s overall energy performance.
Modern factory-finished timber windows have a better environmental performance than any other window material. They have a longer service life and lower whole life costs than uPVC windows. Wooden windows can be repaired and recoated throughout their lifetime and are the best option for achieving zero carbon buildings. They can be sourced from local manufacturers using home-grown timber and support economic recovery in Wales.
The multiple benefits wooden windows deliver over their life-span in terms of maintenance, durability, embodied carbon, and other social and environmental aspects make them excellent value for money.
This document provides information for specifiers and procurement specialists working on social housing projects. It is designed to help with the specification of low-carbon timber windows in a social housing context. It provides performance criteria and indicates what needs to be considered to achieve these in practice. Windows are an essential element of the building fabric and should not be discussed in isolation. They should be considered very early in the design process when deciding what build system to use.
DOWNLOAD GUIDANCE