Designing timber housing – best practice in managing durability and fire risk

The importance of timber design cannot be overstated when it comes to addressing climate change. It can sequester carbon, reduce embodied energy, support sustainable forestry, and promote energy-efficient buildings. The incorporation of timber into construction practices is a notable advancement towards creating a more environmentally friendly and durable built environment.  

In this three-part IStructE webinar series speakers will explore designing multi-unit timber housing, integrating mass timber in commercial buildings up to seven stories, and seamlessly incorporating timber into hybrid structures. Learn best practices to ensure durability, mitigate fire risks, adhere to industry standards, and leverage the benefits of sustainable timber. Enhance your skills with practical insights and innovative solutions in modern timber construction. 

Join us for an in-depth technical talk on designing timber housing, focusing on best practices for managing durability and fire risk. This first webinar in our series will provide valuable insights into the latest standards and strategies for successful timber construction. Hear from experts on key guidelines, collaboration techniques, and real-world case studies to enhance your understanding and application of timber in residential projects. Presenters will cover: 

• New Model Building Standard - Blueprint for Tall CLT Residential Units:

  • Detailed overview of the new model building standard for constructing tall Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) residential units.

  • Explanation of the guidelines and requirements necessary to comply with the standard, the need for a dedicated fire engineer.

• Architect-Structural Engineer Collaboration - Strategies for Effective Collaboration:

  • How to achieve effective coordination between architects and structural engineers to ensure the durability of timber structures.

  • Practical strategies for fostering effective communication and teamwork throughout the project lifecycle.

• Panellised Timber Frames for Mid-Rise Housing Case Study

  • Achieving a flexibility and efficient design

  • Explore the holistic approach required for timber frame housing, considering thermal performance, durability, and fire safety.

​Reasons to attend

• Analyse the latest industry insights and evaluate expert knowledge to predict future trends and opportunities.

• Implement sustainability practices and assess their environmental impact to enhance corporate responsibility.

• Develop regulatory and policy updates to ensure compliance and adapt to changing legal landscapes.

• Explore innovative design approaches through case studies and real-world examples to inspire creative solutions.

• Evaluate economic benefits and promote inspiration and motivation for future sustainable initiatives.

Intended for

• Structural engineers from practices of all sizes, wishing to understand timber better

• Timber specialists

• Those working in the wider built environment community

• Structural engineering students

• Architects

• Construction Managers

• Project Managers

Speakers

Lucia Berasaluce

Senior Associate at Haptic Architects

Lucia Berasaluce is a Senior Associate leading the Haptic studio in Bilbao, having previously worked at the London and Oslo studios. Forever curious, creative and a problem solver, she has developed medium-scale projects from concept to delivery across residential, commercial and cultural sectors in different countries. Lucia’s technical knowledge and design sensibility has seen her lead projects, where making people happy is key. In the UK, she has recently completed W3; a community centre for Related Argent at Kings Cross; championing sustainable design with timber structure and envelope.

Matt Caldwell

Associate Engineer at Buro Happold

Matt is an Associate Engineer with Buro Happold in Bath. He is part of a timber R&D group across the global company. His interest in timber started as a child in his grandpa’s workshop, continued through teenage years spent building skateboard ramps and on to graduate from the University of Bath in 2023, where he continues his involvement as a visiting tutor and PhD candidate. Matt provides timber-specific input into repair of historic and early engineered timber structures aswell as design of new-build structures.

James Walker

Technical Director at Milner Associates

James is a Chartered Structural Engineer and Technical Director at Milner Associates engineering consultancy. He is an expert in the structural design, appraisal and repair of timber buildings with an academic background in adhesive connections. He has designed, inspected and repaired historic structures as well as modern timber frame, glulam, SIP and CLT buildings. James is a technical consultant to the Structural Timber Association (STA), providing guidance on the structural, fire and durability design of timber buildings and has a specific interest in low-energy construction. James is a member of the British standards committee responsible for the design of timber structures and a member of the European committee responsible for the fire design of timber structures.

Sanja Buncic

Associate Director at Elliott Wood, Chair

Sanja is a firm believer in the importance of collaboration between colleagues, stakeholders, and future building users and has a deep understanding of the physics of building construction in addition to her certification as a Passivhause consultant. She is passionate about environmentally sustainable and low-carbon construction. This knowledge not only helps her with her own project work, but it also contributes additional expertise to the practice as a whole. Sanja has strong feelings regarding the conservation of existing structures, and she is quite passionate about the necessity of extending the life of our building stock which she does with the perfect balance of imagination and pragmatism.