TIMBER FRAME: THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL HOUSING?

David Hopkins, Chief Executive of Timber Development UK, discus ses the benefits of timber frame housing in helping to solve the housing crisis in a sustainable manner.

In 2019, architecture practice Mikhail Riches set a new bar for social housing, winning the Stirling Prize with Goldsmith Street in Norwich, a 100% social housing scheme for Norwich City Council. Providing a mix of 40 two-bed houses, five four-bed houses and 60 one- and two-bed flats, a key aspect of the project was the use of timber insulated panels manufactured off site by Cygnum Building Offsite. Using the Cygnum Passive system, good timber frame engineering delivered an economic design with less materials.

Given this outstanding example, could timber frame homes play a bigger part in solving the housing crisis that has 1.3 million on council house waiting lists? Modern timber frame structures are precision engineered, strong and durable. The build method relies on a factorymanufactured timber frame as a means of structural support. This carries the load imposed by the floors and roofs, before transmitting it to the foundations, which can be built at a lower cost due to the lighter overall weight of the buildings.

There are many advantages to using this method of construction for social housing. Offsite construction is a proven feature of millions of affordable new homes in the UK – it’s quick to build because the panels are prefabricated and can be assembled quickly and efficiently once they arrive on site. This can help reduce a project’s overall construction time without compromising on quality.

Offsite construction is also a costeffective option because it provides more predictable outcomes. It dramatically reduces the chance of onsite cost overruns and mitigates unexpected price increases whilst making maintenance during the lifecycle of a building easier through standardised parts.

Recently, major housebuilders, such as Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes, have begun acquiring their own timber frame manufacturing plants. We have already seen examples of housing associations doing the same.

For instance, Accord Group housing association in the West Midlands has produced timber-framed factory-built homes since 2011 through its Local Homes division. It currently produces about 200 homes a year with plans to expand manufacturing capacity significantly.

Offsite construction is possible with other materials, but timber brings its own specific advantages. Environmental sustainability and building quality homes and communities are crucial to the success of social housing projects – both from a regulatory and a moral standpoint.

First and foremost, timber is a renewable resource, and using it for construction can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a building project. Timber products in the built environment lead the way in terms of lifecycle assessment and Environmental Product Declarations.

Additionally, timber-frame construction can help to improve the energy efficiency of social housing. Timber panels are designed to provide high levels of insulation, reducing the need for heating and helping lower tenants’ energy bills. This is particularly important whilst fuel poverty remains a significant issue.

Finally, timber is also renowned for its aesthetic qualities, a decreased perception of stress, a decrease in blood pressure, improved air quality and generally a heightened feeling of comfort. Building with timber results in beautiful environments that promote wellbeing and deliver quality environments people can thrive in.

Let’s banish the concrete jungles of yesteryear and use timber to create social housing we can be proud of.