Building from England’s Woodlands
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This research project, led by NMITE and delivered in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University, BE-ST, Ecosystems Technologies and dRMM Architects, explores how timber grown in England can be effectively used in modern building systems.
Key Takeaways
- Forest diversity and construction demand can be aligned: Creating markets for a broader range of hardwood species can support woodland management, increase forest resilience, and encourage more biodiverse planting strategies.
- Hybrid timber products improve resource efficiency: The project demonstrated how combining hardwoods and softwoods in engineered timber products allows each species to be used where it performs best, creating more efficient structural solutions.
- Performance-led design unlocks new timber opportunities: Using the right species in the right structural location enables engineers to optimise performance while making better use of available forest resources.
- Material savings are achievable: Strategic placement of hardwoods in high-stress zones enabled reductions in panel thickness and beam sizes, delivering material savings of approximately 10–15% while maintaining structural performance.
How It Can Help You
This resource helps practitioners understand the structural potential of English-grown hardwoods, the opportunities presented by hybrid engineered timber products, and the practical steps required to bring locally sourced timber into mainstream construction in alginment with the UK’s Timber in Construction Roadmap and broader net-zero ambitions.
