Building Better Places

The health and wellbeing of occupants is becoming an increasingly important factor when it comes to building design and specification - with the World Green Building Council’s global campaign, ‘Better Places for People’ further heightening awareness. The key driver behind Better Places for People, is to shape the culture across the worldwide construction industry, so that buildings support healthier and happier lives for those who occupy them. Kevin Riley, Board Member of the Structural Timber Association and Head of Business Line, LVL,for Stora Enso – discusses why this is becoming an increasingly important consideration.

The Feel Good Factor
The commercial impact of building in structural timber has been much discussed, from the speed of installation to the addressing of the skills shortage by incorporating offsite manufacture of elements; this is now very much en vogue and almost taken for granted.  And whilst much has been written about the impact construction has on the environment what has not been highlighted is the positive impact that building in timber can have on those that use the buildings that are delivered – whether for living, learning or working.

We have all entered a building and for some inexplicable reason, found it inviting. Since we spend a great deal of our time indoors, the buildings where we work, learn and relax have a profound effect on our wellbeing. There has been some anecdotal evidence, particularly for the education sector but there has been very little research conducted on the subject – particularly here in the UK. 

While there are still many details that need more research, studies conducted so far indicate that structural timber creates pleasant surroundings in terms of humidity and acoustics, as well as contributing to reduced stress levels, among other benefits. 

According to a study carried out by Riina Muilu-Mäkelä, Maarit Haavisto and Jori Uusitalo, researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland - School children in timber buildings experience less stress, have fewer conflicts and concentrate better. These are the findings from a study where two classes, one located in a wooden classroom and the other in different surroundings, were compared.

Timber interiors create a pleasant acoustic environment. The sounds can be described as ‘softer’ than the ones in interiors designed with other materials. Timber structures also appear to have a calming effect on blood pressure and pulse. 

The impact of buildings on their occupants is high on the construction agenda in the USA too. The Structural Timber Associations’ CEO, Andrew Carpenter has recently been on a fact-finding mission to the country and found that the USA based public benefit corporation, the International WELL Building Institute and the Green Health Partnership, a research and development initiative between the University of Virginia School of Medicine – have a mission to improve human health and wellbeing in buildings and communities across the world. 

The International WELL Building Institute claims that ‘wellness’ is the next trillion-dollar industry which can help businesses play an integral role in improving the health and wellbeing of employees and reap the benefits from a greater return on investment from a healthier and happier workforce. 

This concept has yet to gain traction in the UK, however ‘the wellbeing of occupants’ is now a significant consideration at the early stages in the design and build process.  The usage of timber in construction has been rising in many markets recently. As a renewable and sustainable material, it brings interesting opportunities for the construction industry. Add health and wellbeing into the equation – this is yet another even more compelling reason for the specification of timber.

More recent innovations such as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) are now gaining traction across the education sector. Both high-strength engineered wood products - LVL is made from veneers bonded together under heat and pressure to form beams/rafters and CLT is a large format panel system, produced by laminating and finger jointing soft wood timber lamellas at 90° to the layer below. 

Together with Timber Frame and Structural Insulated Panels Systems (SIPs) – engineered timber delivers maximum programme benefits, reducing both capital and life cycle costs - whilst minimising the impact on the environment. And importantly, the characteristics of structural timber systems can make buildings special for their inhabitants as well.


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