Paul Kremer – International Association for Mass Timber Construction

International Mass Timber Standards Research Released

In recent years, Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) has experienced exponential growth internationally, fostering substantial awareness and inter¬est in this renewable construction material. The increasing adoption of CLT in countries and regions of world is resulting in considerable manufacturing investment in engineered wood products more generally. Fabrication of solid timber structural systems using CLT panels requires product standards ensuring strength and stiffness characteristics of the base material in meeting rigorous performance requirements. Given that this nascent technology was only introduced within the…

Behavioural Economics, Environmental Psychology and Perceptions of Mass Timber Construction Purchasing Behaviours

Construction, Environmental Psychology, General, Net Zero

I recently read that a Norwegian online grocer had accounted for a drop in the demand for a number of “carbon-intensive” products sold in the online store since introducing receipts that tell consumers how environmentally friendly [or not] their shopping basket was at checkout. Indeed, the reports stated that orders for less sustainable goods had fallen because customers are aware of their high carbon footprint thanks to the receipts. Which prompted me to write the following article. Behavioural economics (the…

Global Corporates Make the Shift to Mass Timber Construction: Here’s Three Reasons Why!

General, Net Zero

There are several large companies around the world focusing on mass timber construction as a viable alternative solution in meeting corporate sustainability objectives and measures in property development. Be it, a corporate head office, a campus building, or even a retail shopping precinct, the evidence is mounting that mass timber solutions are a pivotal and necessary response to meeting the reductions of C02 emission in construction, and beyond. To demonstrate the impacts of global brands and their adoption of mass…

Expanding Mass Timber Construction Globally

General

Whilst mass timber construction has taken a foothold in many countries around the world, there are still significant pockets in which the technology simply does not exist yet. Worldwide, over ten billion tons of concrete are being produced each year. In the United States, the annual production of over 500 million tons implies about two tons for each man, woman and child (Meyer, Columbia University, 2021). Relative to the production of mass timber products, which includes production of CLT at…

Carbon Equation in Net Zero Mass Timber Buildings

Net Zero

Net zero in construction is a major focus globally at present. There is a growing body of research relating to the exploration of carbon in buildings and how to address ambitious carbon reduction targets. In this post we shall explore the carbon journey for mass timber construction and look at the various ways carbon accounting can support better outcomes for sustainable construction projects for now and into the future. The primary ingredients that constitute mass timber construction products is timber…

Toward Net Zero – The Opportunity for Mass Timber Construction

General

Whilst is could be argued that the COP26 event itself was a success (many parties meeting from around the world) the bigger success is the knock-on effects from the aftermath of what was decided and agreed during the meeting. The commitment of large superpower countries to drive an agenda (yes a somewhat tainted one) to head toward ‘reduced emissions by 2050-60’ is significant. Much like the commitment people make in doing any action (purchasing a car, or white goods for…