Architectural usage of ecologically sustainable timbers

Abstract

This research report is a study into the architectural usage of ecologically sustainable timbers, in other words timbers which come from sources which are not having adverse effects on the environment. The relationship with architecture is in the fact that timber is the world's oldest, and still one of the most favoured, building materials Architects are the people who are responsible for deciding what timbers should be used and in what situation. It is therefore appropriate in this day of environmental awareness, that architects employ the responsibility to be educated in appropriate timber specification. This research outlines what the options are for architects, both in the alternative species of timbers which are available, and also some alternative manufacturing techniques which are being developed. The report provides information on how destructive forestry is seriously depleting world timber resources as an introduction on why the use of sustainably managed timbers is important in the building industry. It also gives an insight into what measures are being taken within the forestry industry itself in response to sustainable management issues. For every timber currently used which is coming from a destructive source, there is at least one alternative available here in New Zealand which is harvested on a sustainable basis.