Woodknowledge Wales

Woodknowledge Wales

Inspiring innovation through collaboration

Structural Timber

The Secret Campsite honoured for sustainable design excellence at the Scottish Structural Awards

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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

Congratulations to Toby Maclean and his team at Allt Environmental Structural Engineers, Shaun Ryder of Rural Workshop and Local Works Studio who have been recognised with the “Best Sustainable Design Project” award at the Scottish Structural Awards. This accolade, awarded to The Secret Campsite project on behalf of the Secret Camping Club, celebrates their innovative all-timber approach, including reclaimed materials and timber foundations, in their latest project.

The Scottish Structural Awards, organised by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), highlight outstanding achievements in structural engineering, with a focus on sustainability and innovation. Allt Environmental’s project stood out for its commitment to environmental responsibility and resource efficiency.

“The highly collaborative approach between builder, engineer and architect led to flexibility with material selection according to local and reclaimed availability and the sketch format used for construction drawinqs enabled a rapid response to changes and build preferences,” explained Toby Maclean, founder of Allt Environmental Structural Engineers and Construction | Independent advisor for Woodknowledge Wales.

The Secret Campsite in East Sussex

Telegraph pole split for use as floor beam
Telegraph pole floor beam with old BT markings

The new amenity and facilities building at The Secret Campsite in East Sussex showcases an extraordinary commitment to sustainability and environmental sensitivity. Designed as the ultimate “light-touch” structure, this project minimises its ecological impact from inception to execution.

Accessible and family bathroom

Initially, the client had received planning approval for a standard concrete block amenity building for showers and washing facilities. However, they became dissatisfied with the environmental and aesthetic impact of the proposed design and its cost. Seeking a better solution, they approached the team to create something more aligned with their values and the site’s unique character.

The team collaborated with architects to develop a strategy cantered on using locally available materials, including some sourced directly from the site. By embracing the principles of a circular economy, the project prioritised material reuse not just at the end of the building’s life, as is often the case, but from the very beginning.

A timber frame structure was chosen, supported by reused telegraph pole posts that cantilever from the ground, eliminating the need for carbon-intensive foundations. Locally sourced larch and sweet chestnut were used for the superstructure, ensuring minimal environmental impact and a harmonious fit within the surrounding landscape.

The result is an airy, lightweight building that not only enhances the campsite’s amenities but also aligns with its sustainable ethos. This standout feature elevates the campsite’s appeal while being procured at a lower cost than the original standard design. This project exemplifies innovation, environmental responsibility, and a forward-thinking approach to sustainable construction.

Calculating embodied carbon in this unusual building

While the building is unheated and so avoided the embodied carbon associated with insulation, the approach adopted can still be seen to have led to a remarkably low-carbon and low-cost building with many principles applicable to “more usual” buildings.  The dedication to re-use of materials and use of natural materials is the predominant driver behind this.

“We have undertaken an embodied carbon calculation in accordance with the generally accepted RICS methodology via the IStructE  / Elliott Wood carbon calculator and verified this through in-house tools,” explained Toby. “Note that a nominal carbon intensity figure of 0.1 kg CO2e/kg was used for reclaimed metal roofing and reclaimed timber to cover the recovery and transport emissions.”

The results were calculated for the structural elements only and separately for the whole building (excluding fittings) and they show the building performs exceptionally well achieving an A++ score across the board.

This recognition from the Scottish Structural Awards underscores Allt Environmental’s dedication to advancing sustainable practices in structural engineering.

Building homes for a sustainable future

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Introducing WoodBUILD 2024 workshop sponsors:

Wales & West Housing

Pentland Close, Cardiff under construction
Source: Wales & West Housing

Woodknowledge Wales is please to announce that Wales & West Housing is sponsoring WoodBUILD 2024. Sponsor representatives attending the event will include Jo Curson, Director of Development and Marcus Blayney, Planning, Strategy and Improvement Manager.

Jo Curson, Director of Development,
Wales & West Housing
Marcus Blayney, Planning, Strategy and Improvement Manager,
Wales & West Housing

As workshop sponsors, Wales & West Housing will join other sponsors and exhibitors in presenting an elevator pitch during the first plenary session. In the meantime, we asked Jo to give us a quick overview of the organisation.

Taking the climate emergency seriously

At Wales & West Housing, we take the climate emergency seriously and have a robust environmental strategy that demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable future and achieve ‘net-zero’ by 2050. We are taking action to increase our sustainability and reduce our carbon footprint across the homes we build and manage. One of our priorities is building low-carbon homes using timber-frames and support the Welsh timber industry. We also focus on enhancing the natural environment and biodiversity when we build new homes.

Blue Dragon, Newport Road, Cardiff
Source: Wales & West Housing

Wales & West Housing is a large registered social landlord that provides homes and services to more than 20,000 people across Wales. We own and manage almost 12,400 homes for affordable rent and have a long history of building new affordable homes to help solve the housing crisis. As a responsible business, we take the climate crisis seriously and have a robust environmental strategy that demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable future and how we will achieve ‘net-zero’ by 2050.

Working with the Carbon Trust, we have calculated our carbon footprint across our homes, our offices and vehicle fleet and have a roadmap to help us achieve a more sustainable future.

Building low carbon homes

Drone shot of the Maes Yr Hufenfa development in Carmarthenshire
Source: Wales & West Housing

One of our priorities, and that of Welsh Government, is building homes that are low carbon in operation.

For a number of years, we have been creating new homes that don’t rely on fossil fuels. These are all built to an EPC A rating, moving away from gas with increased emphasis on renewable technologies for the production and storage of electricity. Building homes that are more energy efficient means they are warmer and lead to reduced energy bills for residents, as well as reducing carbon consumption.

Ffordd Yr Haearn, Grangetown, Cardiff
Source: Wales & West Housing

We have increased the use of timber in the construction of our new housing. Timber is the most sustainable, carbon neutral material available and one that lends itself to more sustainable offsite manufacture. It also locks in carbon through its growth and can be re-used or recycled with minimal carbon impact, unlike other materials. By collaborating with Welsh companies, we are playing a part in supporting the homegrown timber industry.

Features that enhance the natural environment and biodiversity to attract and protect wildlife are also important when we build new homes. On many of our developments, especially those in rural areas, we manage and maintain hedgerows, provide places for bats to roost and birds to nest, create areas for protected species, highways for hedgehogs and plant areas with wildflowers to attract insects.

Priory Street, Carmarthen: an artist’s rendering
Source: Wales & West Housing

Our new developments are also designed to manage rainwater in ways that copy nature by creating natural sustainable drainage systems, which also improve biodiversity. These areas are developed to be rich in flora and fauna, featuring swales and basins to hold water during wet weather or ponds and wetland areas planted to encourage wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

By demonstrating our commitment to a more sustainable future through our developments we hope to encourage others to work with us to achieve our collective goal.

Catch up with Jo Curson and Marcus Blayney, and find out how you can assist in co-creating a resilient timber value chain find out more and register for WoodBUILD 2024 now.

New pods to bring built environment learners good fabric performance skills

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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

On 14 December 2023, Julie Evans, Project Manager, Passivhaus Training forCarmarthenshire, announced the arrival of the new building performance test pods for the University of Wales Trinity St David’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC) Welsh Timber and Building Performance Development Centre in Lampeter. The pods will be used in the delivery of the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project to train industry, construction students in Further and Higher Education, and other community learners.

“The building performance test pods were built specifically to provide a hands-on experience. They will help built environment students and other learners to better understand what constitutes good fabric performance which is a critically important new skill needed to create low carbon buildings.” said Gary Newman, CEO, Woodknowledge Wales

Designed and constructed in collaboration with Woodknowledge Wales, Rob Thomas, Hiraeth Architecture and Kenton Jones (Designers and Makers), the building performance pods blend teaching, research, and innovation with carefull design and construction to deliver state-of-the-art, practical learning tools.

The pods were built by technical experts to reflect Passivhaus principles and the Welsh Building Regulations. Both pods will enable students to try their hand at Building Performance Evaluation (BPE) techniques such as air tightness, U-Value measurement, thermal performance and heat loss.

A key element in the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project, each pod illustrates closed panel timber frame construction and will also be a useful tool to educate a wide range of audiences in terms of low-carbon, high performance construction using timber as a sustainable building material.

The Not Business As Usual CNZC project will focus on educating learners on the importance of building fabric. It will work to improve principles and techniques applied in the design, construction, and maintenance of a variety of low-carbon construction methods.

“CWIC and its partners are working alongside partners in industry, higher and further education, schools and the third sector to create and deliver micro courses in ‘Fabric First‘ design. Sessions will be held in the UWTSD’s construction workshop using a range of tailor-made equipment and training aids to enhance these skills,” said Julie Evans, Project Manager, Passivhaus Training for Carmarthenshire, Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC)

Read CWIC’s press release: Arrival of new building performance test pods enhances practical learning

Read more about the Not Business as Usual, Construct Net-Zero Cymru (CNZC) project

Free Technical Timber Webinars 2024 from BM TRADA

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BM TRADA has announced its 2024 Timber Webinar programme,  with updated content and deep dives into strength grading, modified woods and CLT. Register now to enhance your skills and knowledge, and gain valuable insights from timber experts.

Timber Frame series

  • Right on site: Key timber frame details with Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM TRADA, 25 January 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Moisture management in timber frame design and construction with Robin Lancashire, Senior Timber Frame Consultant, BM TRADA, 8 February 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link

This series will be repeated in the latter half of the year.

Technical Timber series

  • Strength grading with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, BM TRADA and Dr Dan Ridley-Ellis, Edinburgh Napier University, 18 April 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM BST Registration link
  • Modified woods and panel products with Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, and Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 2 May 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM BST Registration link
  • Understanding wood degrading insects and microorganisms with Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 16 May 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM BST Registration link
  • Timber adhesives with Richard Nunn, Sales Director, Ureka, 6 June 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM BST. Registration link


CLT series

  • Achieving durability with CLT: Mitigating Construction Phase moisture with Nick Clifford, Senior Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 4 July 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Achieving durability with CLT: Designing for durability with Nick Clifford, Senior Timber Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 18 July 2024 · 11:00AM – 12:00PM GMT Registration link


Fundamentals of Timber series

  • From trees to timber with Ben Sharples, Technical Manager, Timber Services, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 7 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Quality and properties of timber with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, Part One: Wood and timber properties and Part 2: Quality of timber, 14 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Moisture in timber with Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, with Nick Clifford, Senior Technical Consultant, 28 November 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link
  • Protecting timber with Adam Moring, Timber Technical Consultant, and Dr Andy Pitman, Principal Technical Consultant, BM TRADA, 5 December 2024 · 11:00AM – 1:00PM GMT Registration link

For further publications on timber, industry information, and regular updates on training opportunities from BM TRADA, please register with the bookshop and subscribe to the enewsletter.

Research project launches to increase traceability and transparency in mass timber supply chains

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Built by Nature, a network and grant-making fund with a mission to accelerate the timber and biobased building transformation, has awarded €330,000 to three projects from its first Challenge initiative. The “From Forest to Frame” Challenge was launched in November of 2022 with the goal to increase the transparency around the climate impacts of decisions made along the bio-based construction value chain.

IMPACTT – Innovative Mapping and Processes to Advance Construction Timber Transparency

One of these projects is IMPACTT – Innovative Mapping and Processes to Advance Construction Timber Transparency. ASBP is the project lead, with a team consisting of Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC UK), DoubleHelix Tracking Technologies, Agrodome in the Netherlands, Woodknowledge Wales, Stora Enso, and Eurban, with support from CEI-Bois and TDUK.

“Woodknowledge Wales is delighted to support this exciting project. We know from our work with construction professionals throughout the UK, that whilst the benefits of timber as a material are increasingly well understood, the role of the forest in providing that timber and the impact on critically important ecosystem services such as biodiversity, is generally poorly understood. This creates the space for negative counter narratives about trees and timber. This project will help to put biodiversity information alongside carbon data to help clients and specifiers in their decision making and impact reporting.” Gary Newman, CEO

Overlaying biodiversity and forest data onto the PEFC Certification system

The aim of IMPACTT is to investigate how we might overlay biodiversity data and forest data onto the PEFC Certification system.

“We aim to find six mass timber buildings from the UK and the Netherlands where we can trace back the mass timber elements to forests where there has been active biodiversity measurement, monitoring, and management. We want to bring the forest of origin much closer to the building and will investigate how a QR code situated on the building might bring this additional information about the forest to the building user,” said the ASBP press office.

PEFC is the world’s largest certification system for sustainable forest-based products, with over 280 million hectares of certified forests. The PEFC scheme undergoes regular revisions every seven years, with the last revision having been completed in 2020. For the next revision, PEFC are considering integrating carbon and biodiversity impacts into their programmes and so this project could have a significant impact on the implementation of these changes.

“PEFC UK is delighted to be part of the team for this project, the results of which could have a positive influence on the direction of future revisions of PEFC’s global standards. With forthcoming legislation in some regions requiring complete supply chain mapping, the timing and scope of the project should provide invaluable information on the solutions to achieve fully traceable, sustainable timber supply chains.” John Kirkby, Executive Director

Addressing information gaps in the mass timber supply chain

IMPACTT will also explore ways to address information gaps in the mass timber supply chain and enable better visualisation using digital supply chain mapping tools. This work will be led by DoubleHelix. In addition, we will conduct interviews with industry stakeholders to gauge their understanding of the fundamentals of sustainable forest management, with the aim of understanding where the learning gaps are and then suggest resources to fill those gaps.

DoubleHelix is excited to lead the digital supply chain mapping efforts for the IMPACTT project, paving the way for true transparency in timber sourcing. We believe that bridging the gap between the forest of origin and the end user will revolutionize how the public understand and value sustainable forest management.” Darren Thomas, CEO

Introducing IMPACTT at UK Construction Week

We are introducing IMPACTT at UK Construction Week in Birmingham NEC on 5th October at 14.10 in the Sustainability Hub, with speakers from ASBP, PEFC UK, DoubleHelix and Stora Enso. The ASBP team will be on stand T444 over the three days and we have convened two other talks: please see here for the details https://asbp.org.uk/upcomingevents

“As built environment professionals are getting to grips with carbon emissions to help mitigate the climate emergency, innovation’s focus shifts to the nature emergency and how the structures we are creating today impact biodiversity via their supply chains. Part of the global bioeconomy, Stora Enso are honoured to be collaborating with this project team to demystify the mass timber journey from seedling to building.” Dr Mila Duncheva, MCIOB, Business Development Manager of UK & Ireland

Further Forest to Frame Challenge projects

The other two projects funded under the Forest to Frame Challenge are led by UK based research and education consultancy EVOLVING FORESTS and W/E consultants in the Netherlands. Evolving Forests will produce a series of curated films and media content to enhance the understanding of different stakeholders’ roles within the timber value-chain, and to build their understanding of sustainable forestry. Stichting W/E adviseurs duurzaam bouwen (W/E Consultants) will work to generate better carbon accountability within the European cross-laminated timber value chain by proposing new and accurate calculation methods.

Biodiversity measurement is a fast evolving science and Biodiversity Net Gain’s (BNG) transitional arrangements were due to close in November 2023, with BNG delivery to become a mandatory requirement for the vast majority of housebuilders and developers on all developments in the UK. However, the government has just delayed putting this into effect. Mass timber has the potential to reduce the embodied impact of construction versus more conventional materials such as concrete and steel. It is strong and light, and as a natural material, has a strong aesthetic appeal. This work follows on from our Mass Timber Insurance Playbook, which is a free download from our website.

Unlocking the full potential of offsite manufactured timber housing in Wales: The Challenge of timber price volatility

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Unprecedented price volatility of timber is constraining the development of the timber frame manufacturing sector. This threatens the delivery of Welsh Government’s affordable housing, MMC and zero carbon strategies. The purpose of this paper is to highlight issues of concern and offer first ideas to develop potential solutions.
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Zero Carbon Homes—Zero Carbon Timber Solutions for Wales

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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.
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5 Essential Strategies for an Emerging Forest Nation

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

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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.
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Making the Right Choices—A Guide to Improving the Build Quality of New Build Timber Frame Social Housing

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Making the right decisions for the benefit of a building’s long term performance and user experience can be compromised by cost, lack of experience, and poor understanding of timber frame construction.
This guide aims to highlight some of the key points to consider along the pathway of designing, constructing and maintaining timber frame housing.
These points have been compiled reflecting on experience gained by delivering BMTRADA’s frameCHECK on-site quality consultancy service.
By helping the reader understand more about the consequences of some of the decisions to be made during construction.
This report has been compiled as part of the Home-Grown Homes Project, which looked into the way that timber is specified and used in construction, with its focus being on manufacturing. The aim of this document is to help all those involved with timber frame construction to deliver better performing and longer lasting homes.
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