Timber buildings demystified in groundbreaking new book

Timber Development UK is stepping up to eliminate misconceptions about timber buildings in Timber Typologies – a groundbreaking new book produced with Waugh Thistleton Architects.

Timber Typologies aims to clear up the confusion which persists around timber building systems and their appropriate applications. It brings clarity and consistency to the variety of timber systems and options which exists for policy makers and built environment specialists alike.

You can download download Timber Typologies for free for free from the Timber Development UK website.

It is intended as a primer – a ‘beginner’s guide’ – for all the different timber solutions. This book will help build understanding for developers, policy makers, designers and stakeholders to make the right decisions and deliver the best buildings possible using timber.

“Timber is the single most important material when it comes to decarbonising construction,” states David Hopkins, chief executive of Timber Development UK. “But if timber is to realise its potential, we need to be specific about what we mean when we say timber. There is a lot of misconception and misinformation out there – and even within the timber supply chain.”

“We might think we know exactly what we mean when we refer to ‘timber frame’, ‘mass timber’ or ‘stick build’. But others might have slightly different definitions”

“We can’t make progress if designers, clients, specifiers and engineers are talking at cross-purposes. The industry needs better information about the variety of timber systems and options which exist. That starts with using the right language to describe the system or the building approach. And that’s why we’ve written this book.”

“Lowering the carbon footprint of our built environment is no longer a choice – it is a necessity. Timber can achieve this in many varied and beautiful ways. This book helps to show people how”

Timber Typologies is the first in a trio of forthcoming essential books. It will be accompanied by Timber Policy, which outlines different ways countries can promote timber use, and Timber LCA, demystifying lifetime carbon analysis for timber buildings.