“In comparison to the aviation industry, which contributes roughly 2-3% of global emissions, embodied carbon, specifically steel and concrete production, contributes about 8-10% of global emissions.” Zaid Alwan, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture and the Built Environment at Northumbria University. In South Africa, like the rest of the world, the high environmental impact of buildings…
While timber construction has a relatively small footprint in South Africa, with its host of environmental and performance benefits, the building material is enjoying increasing popularity and interest among the general public and trade alike. Even so, misconceptions about timber as a construction material are still commonplace, limiting potential users from enjoying the manifold benefits…
Did you know that timber plays a significant role in carbon storage? Therefore, by choosing timber in design and construction projects this can help in tackling climate change in several ways. How does the storage process work? As the growing trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere they store it as carbon in places such as…
Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a method of measuring the environmental impacts of building products over their whole life. The aim of a life cycle analysis is to identify, quantify and assess the impact of the energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment throughout the life of a building product. There are…
Timber framing is the most common form of construction in many countries around the world and is rapidly gaining popularity in South Africa. This is due to it being lightweight and strong, very durable, suited to all climatic conditions, environmentally friendly and thermally efficient. More and more architects and designers are turning to timber construction…
