Discussing Timber Myths: a dialogue between our ambitions and the facts

With this project, we aim to shift the mindsets in the European construction industry. Together with the Built by Nature Foundation and alongside partners at TU Delft, Wageningen University, and leading timber experts crom across Europe, we mapped concerns and misperceptions around (mass) timber construction. We addressed these concerns with the latest insights and data from research and frontrunner best practices so as to remove lingering perceptual barriers to better uptake of timber construction.

“This project is important as it extends vital research to a broader market—harnessing the academic and industry expertise of AMS Institute and its partners to confront legacy perceptions and outmoded thinking around mass timber.”

Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of Built by Nature

We conducted interviews with leading experts and industry frontrunners around the perceptual barriers that hinder investment in or uptake and implementation of (mass) timber in construction they encounter. The findings are structured and grouped into 12 myths that are technical, environmental, logistical or economical in nature. Alongside these myths, topics emerge around which there is no consensus (yet) or data is (still) lacking.

The end result is a booklet that details both myths and doubts, enriched by facts and discussions respectively. The publication will be available for download on this webpage in June 2023.

Facts and examples from the booklet

Although timber is combustible, mass timber behaves very predictably in case of fire, and many measures can be taken to safeguard fire safety in a timber building. Fire tests for the Mjøstårnet tower showed that the fires safety requirements were well met through the use of oversized timber.

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Fire test and picture by SP Firetech and Sweco Norway

A building which has been designed through circular principles will last for ages, and when designed for disassembly, it can be very easily taken apart and rebuilt. 90% of the timber used in the Emergis Youth Clinic comes from a neighbouring project.

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Design by Rothuizen Architecten en Adviseurs BV; Picture by Rien Zandee.

Building with Timber

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Want to know more or looking to collaborate?

Joke Dufourmont

Former Program Developer Circularity in Urban Regions at AMS Institute

joke.dufourmont@ams-institute.org

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Building houses with timber is bad for our environment. Fact or fiction?

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Funding to accelerate timber building

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AMS Institute receives funding for extended research on misconceptions regarding timber construction. With this collaboration, the project partners aim to shift mindsets towards timber building in the European construction industry.

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