Wood In Architecture Issue 2, 2021

SUSTAINABILITY
He described how his company pays
special attention to sourcing PEFCcertified
timber and uses 100% of a
harvested tree, optimising the use of the
raw material and protecting the forest
resource.
“Timber is not like concrete and steel,
which are cold to work with. It is warm
and inviting even during construction.
Timber is also great to work with as it is
quicker, safer and cheaper than other
materials.”
The second speaker, Paul Jarquin,
President of REI Habitat, a pioneer
of wood construction in France, says
that using local and certified timber
is a priority for his company. He made
four important points from his French
experience:
• By building with wood, we can reduce
a building’s carbon emissions by up to
60% – this really is a game changer
• We are seeing an increasing demand
for wood from consumers in France,
particularly those from the big cities
• These consumers not only ask
for wood, but also ask about its
provenance – if it’s sustainable and
local
• PEFC certification enables us to
respond to their needs with wood –
for people and the planet
The third expert contributor was Mark
Thomson, architect and Director of Eco-
Effective Solutions, who highlighted
the benefits of timber buildings for the
environment and the people living and
working in them.
“Building with sustainable timber is
eco-efficient. This means it creates
more value with less environmental
impact. Not only is it renewable,
recyclable and reusable, but it also
absorbs CO 2
and has a positive effect
on physical and mental health,” said
Thomson.
Timber can have a calming effect on
people’s stress levels and lower blood
pressure, he believes. The educational
and medical environments, such as
schools and health centres, built with
timber can improve the learning and
healing processes.
At the same time, he emphasised the
importance of choosing timber from a
sustainable origin.
“It can only be stated that timber is
renewable if it comes from a certified
source,” he explained. “Unless you
know the history of the timber, you may
not be using the sustainable material
that you think you are.”
The views and output of architects and
builders in Europe is starting to have a
big impact in Asia Pacific.
We are certainly seeing an upsurge in
the adoption of MET in Asia Pacific, as
The work of Terroir
Architects – the new
Penguin Parade
Visitor Centre on
Victoria’s Phillip
Island, Australia
(Photo: Responsible
Wood)
34 WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2021