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Featured Project
Timber provides the inspiration, heart and soul for award-winning educational design
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General Resources
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Why Wood Articles
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What is...
Botanical name
A botanical name is the formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (ICBN) and, if it concerns a plant cultigen, the additional cultivar and/or group epithets must conform to the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants. The botanical names of Australian and imported species of timber and their relationship to trade names are defined in AS 2543 Nomenclature of Australian Timbers and AS 1148 Nomenclature of Commercial Timbers Imported into Australia.
Environmental Credentials
Wood offers the builder or designer several environmental advantages over common, alternative building materials. Namely:
- Wood is a renewable resource;
- Wood products store carbon dioxide;
- Comparatively, the manufacture of most wood products requires smaller amounts of energy; and
- Residues generated through the processing of wood can be reused in a variety of positive ways.
As the articles throughout this section discuss, in a world increasingly concerned with reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, wood is a building material that can deliver the designer both environmental and performance benefits. Thus, by ensuring sustainable forest practices and regenerating this natural product there are real possibilities to significantly improve the environmental credentials of the building and construction industry by choosing wood.
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Carbon storage
For the environmentally conscious architect, engineer or building professional, timber is a logical choice. With the ability to store carbon for its entire service life, using sustainably sourced timber can help tackle climate change and transition to a low carbon economy.
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Life Cycle Analysis
A life cycle analysis measures the environmental impacts of building products throughout their life. By providing a standard way of comparing building products, it helps building professionals make informed and environmentally conscious decisions.
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Low embodied energy
When compared against other common building material alternatives, timber's low embodied energy is another reason why choosing timber is a positive choice for our environment.
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Maximise Green Star Ratings
The Green Star Energy Rating system has accelerated industry focus on sustainable design and development. Using timber can help maximise green star credits.
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Recycling and wood waste
In the timber industry rarely is there such a thing as a wasted piece of wood. Learn here about some of the more unique and innovative uses of timber waste and offcuts.