Written by Wood Campus
Industry | News
AUSTRALIAN architect members of the global organisation Architects Declare are having their say on the National Construction Code updates to make sure every new home – without costing more – will raise the required standards of sustainability.
Submissions to the National Construction Code close this month, and Architects Declare is proposing to mandate nothing less than net zero emission for new homes and major alterations and additions.
Their submission emphasises “the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss as the most serious issues of our time”.
Globally, buildings and construction play a major part, accounting for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions while also having a significant impact on natural habitats.
“Meeting the needs of communities and staying within our ecological limits will require a shift in behaviour as well as the design, delivery and performance of buildings,” the submission emphasises.
Together with their clients, architects will need to commission and design buildings, cities and infrastructures as indivisible components of a larger, constantly regenerating and self-sustaining system.
The architects added: “The research and technologies exist to begin that transformation now, but what has been lacking is collective will. Recognising this, we are committing to strengthen our working practices to create architecture and urbanism that has a more positive impact on the world around us.”
Timber Offsite Construction 2022 conference keynote speaker Andrew Waugh is a founding member of Architects Declare in UK and Europe, with a practice dedicated to designing buildings and places of the highest architectural quality that acknowledge their impact on the environment.
He is a world-renowned spokesman for low-impact materials and a regenerative approach to architecture.
A pivotal player in the global uptake of engineered timber, he was responsible for the design and delivery of Murray Grove, the project that spearheaded the international movement in tall timber buildings.
Believing that engineered timber on a global scale can make a vital difference to our planet, Mr Waugh lobbies and lectures internationally, communicating the urgent need for change to mitigate the climate crisis.
Visit www.timberoffsiteconstruction.com
More News
Timber in construction roadmap UK policy
The Government has committed to growing and maintaining a sustainable and long-term supply of domestic timber and wood products in the 2023 Environmental Improvement Plan. We have awarded £7.6 million through the Woodlands into Management Forestry Innovation Funds to...
Government commits to more timber construction
The Government has set out an ambitious plan to raise the use of timber in the construction of homes and buildings. It has published a roadmap to boost the safe use of sustainable UK timber in construction while planting forests to increase domestic timber supply. By...
8 Billion Trees
Wood Campus is always keen to promote content and resources which we know will be of interest to our regular visitors and this is why we are drawing your attention to the 8 Billion Trees mission.8 Billion Trees is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions using tree...
TDUK market forecasts at London conference
UK and international timber traders gathered in strong numbers for Timber Development UK’s Global Market Conference in London on Wednesday at a time of difficult market dynamics. A noticeably downbeat market sentiment was palpable at the event held in Carpenters Hall,...
Learning Through Timber
The new ‘living lab’ at NMITE will act as a home for Centre of Advanced Timber Technology students to learn more about timber and a net zero approach to building materials.A new purpose built 2,500sqm ‘living lab’ for the New Model Institute for Technology and...
World’s tallest wooden building to be built in Perth after developers win approval
Artist’s impression. Photograph: Elenberg FraserDevelopers say South Perth’s C6 building will be made up of 42% timber and be carbon negative Western Australia is set to become home to the world’s tallest timber building, a “revolutionary” 50-storey hybrid design...
The UK continues to embrace timber-based construction
The UK’s three largest housebuilders (Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey, and Persimmon) have announced plans to open dedicated factories for timber-based construction materials. Klober is a roofing accessories provider looking to convince construction companies to...
ARUP – Seven perspectives on the use of timber in building design and construction
ARUP are a global collective of designers, consultants and experts dedicated to sustainable development. We use technology, imagination and rigour to shape a better world. For over 75 years, Arup has been recognised for its vision, talent and tenacity. Dedicated to...
Timber Development UK and Structural Timber Association sign MOU
Timber Development UK (TDUK) and Structural Timber Association (STA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help grow and develop the timber construction market. Under the terms of the agreement the two parties have agreed to form a partnership in order to...
Worlds largest wooden city Stockholm
Scandinavian studios Henning Larsen and White Arkitekter are designing Stockholm Wood City, which will become the world's largest mass-timber development and have the "serenity of a forest". Set to be built in the Stockholm neighbourhood of Sickla, the project was...