36 | Sector Focus: Timber Construction
TIMBER AT THE HEART Professor Patricia Xavier, associate professor at New Model Institute for
Technology & Engineering (NMITE) says timber-based modern methods of construction, the focus of its new BSc course, are key to driving industry transformation and sustainability
The use of timber in construction is not a new idea – we’ve been building with it for over 10,000 years. Parliament’s Westminster Hall is just one example of this, boasting the largest medieval timber roof in northern Europe. Despite this, in the UK today we are decades behind when it comes to timber construction.
Some of the reasons we are predisposed to concrete and steel over timber is because there is a knowledge deficit. Previous degrees and training in construction did not include a focus or module on timber so this skillset hasn’t been passed on. Also, from a psychological perspective, people wrongly believe that timber-based structures are more vulnerable to fire risk. However, where timber chars, steel and concrete, often perceived as fire-resistant, can lose structural integrity and strength under high temperatures. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) encompass a range of innovative approaches that aim to improve efficiency and quality in building, methods that offer alternatives to traditional brick and block construction. This leads to faster project timelines, improved quality control, and reduced waste. One key benefit is that timber is much quicker to erect than concrete and steel, and much lighter.
Sustainable construction is transforming the industry, which is why NMITE is placing timber at the heart of modern construction thinking. Timber and wood products are meeting changing societal priorities. They are renewable and low-carbon and can be a key player in achieving net-zero emissions and reducing embodied carbon in construction compared to traditional materials like concrete, steel and cement.
Timber-framed homes, public buildings, and offices will transform the built environment and that lies behind the launch of NMITE’s new Construction Management BSC Hons course, which will run from September 2025. Delivered by the team behind NMITE’s award-winning Centre for Advanced Timber Technology (CATT), students will graduate with a strong knowledge in timber as well as being able to work with all other materials. Part of CATT’s mission is to nurture and upskill a new generation of leaders in construction management. Students will
TTJ | July/August 2025 |
www.ttjonline.com
study from CATT’s state-of-the-art building, a future-focused campus, which showcases the most advanced and sustainable design and construction methods available. The course has been designed to nurture a generation of construction professionals who can create a more sustainable future and can navigate and add value to contemporary building practice, demonstrating sensitivity to environmental, social, legal and ethical responsibilities. Students will gain a deep understanding of biogenic and sustainable materials, enabling them to effectively apply this knowledge across a broad spectrum of both traditional and innovative building practices. To further this goal, NMITE also partners with Edinburgh Napier University, which has a strong and advanced timber group. Jointly, our vision for timber in construction is the creation of a sustainable, integrated industry, where efforts to decarbonise and build efficiently, with hybrid designs that use the best materials, are aligned.
From an economic perspective, the increased use of timber in construction can help address the UK’s housing crisis by providing a faster and more cost-effective means of building homes. Innovations
and advancements in timber construction techniques, such building with engineered mass timber (CLT), are enabling the construction of taller and more complex structures, opening new avenues for timber use. By increasing the use of timber, we can also significantly reduce our emissions to achieve net-zero targets by 2050, while simultaneously growing our economy. Building with certified timber, including home-grown, locks carbon into a built asset for decades and also creates a reliable supply chain that benefits local economies. This is important because sustainability doesn’t just mean what’s good for the environment; it means what’s good for humans and their communities.
Construction managers who are at the forefront of these changes need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills required by modern construction professionals and understand how they come together to enable a sustainable future. Over the coming decades, construction managers will play a leading role in making this a reality. The steps we take today will create a thriving, green economy. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to seeing how timber helps shape a sustainable future. ■
Above: CATT – a future-focused campus
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