Timber is becoming known as the building material of the 21st Century. It is strong – a high strength to weight ratio is recently being utilized with innovative developments; it is safe – being both durable and achieving fire ratings; it is sustainable –timber being the most viable option, acting like a carbon sink to reduce the effects of global warming.
Research by Mcgraw and Hill suggests that innovation in the construction industry has been stagnant for over 50 years. Timber may provide the productivity gains similar to that of other industries, being suitable for prefabrication and allowing rapid construction cycle times.