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managed well and forestry workers are treated fairly.
CLT as an off-site solution
Traditional building processes are noted to be highly wasteful in terms of materials and figures indicated that around 32 per cent of landfill waste comes from the construction and demolition of buildings. However, cross laminated timber as an off-site solution can dramatically improve these statistics, producing significantly lower amounts of wastage, due to the factory controlled methods of construction. Recycling is far easier to implement in a factory environment, therefore cutting materials to size before delivery to site significantly reduces on-site waste and the associated expense of disposal. As a rapid, robust and reliable off-site manufactured solution cross-laminated timber delivers many benefits during the construction process and beyond. From reducing loading on foundations through to impressive thermal, acoustic and airtightness performance – CLT construc- tion has the capability to enhance projects across all sectors.
Reducing the loading on foundations is particularly important for inner city construction where the underground infrastructure results in loading restrictions. Using CLT as a lighter weight structural solution can increase, for example, the amount of storeys in a residential build – offering a better return on investment. Manufactured to exceptional levels of accuracy in factory controlled conditions
ensures minimal defects and improves construction and project delivery time, reducing costs and maximising efficiency on all levels, providing cost and programme certainty.
However the benefits do not end after the construction phase. Due to the enhanced performance values and robust nature of cross laminated timber, the on-going life-cycle costs of the building is vastly reduced through fewer maintenance requirements and lower energy consumption.
Better buildings
Finally, and most importantly, the design of a building can be critical to the well-being of its occupants.
Much has been written about the impact construction can have on the environment but very little on the effect a building can have on its occupants. The influence construction materials can have on the comfort and wellbeing of end users is an area where more research is required, however evidence is now emerging about the role cross laminated timber can play in enhancing internal environments. Engineered timber, as a core structural solution, is gaining traction across the industry demonstrating that a wood first policy not only ‘stacks up’ from a construction cost and performance perspec- tive but also in creating better buildings for people to live, work and relax.
Greg Cooper is pre-construction manager for B&K Structures
TOP AND ABOVE
Nottingham University and Keynsham Civic Centre
Using CLT as a lighter weight structural solution can increase, for example, the amount of storeys in a residential build – offering a better return on investment
ADF OCTOBER 2016
WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UK
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