3 minute read
Foreword: An unprecedented year
An unprecedented year
How continuously changing circumstances have brought challenges and opportunities.
Covid-19 dominated 2020, overthrowing all previously made plans. TRADA has adapted fast and continues to do so as Government guidelines adjust to meet changing circumstances. In spite of the pandemic, I am thankful that there are several other updates to be made – be them industry developments or opportunities, comments on our personal fight against climate change, and updates on changes to the TRADA Board of Directors.
Industry opportunities
The impact of the shutdown of building sites that occurred in spring 2020 directly resulted in a boost for the off-site technologies market, with more developers, local authorities and contractors focusing on integrating both panelised and modular housing solutions to speed up delivery. This shift change was last experienced post-World War II, which led to the prefab solution. Therefore, in the coming years we should expect higher demand and anticipate how timber can play its part.
There is an increase in structural steel and cross-laminated timber hybrid office construction, especially in high-rise office designs, as the major UK developers move towards a more climate-friendly solution that proves to be both quicker in delivery and cost neutral.
Climate emergency
TRADA has been broadcasting the environmental benefits of timber since 1934, so I won’t repeat what hundreds of pages of our resources already tell you. However, while organisations continue to rally against climate change on a wider scale, TRADA is now focusing its discussions on the critical role of climate literacy within university courses across the UK. Tabitha Binding, TRADA’s University Engagement Manager, continues to create excellent opportunities for students and lecturers – both to become more climate literate, and to incorporate it more fully into their educational curricula.
TRADA is pleased to be working with – among others – Architects Climate Action Network and Anthropocene Architecture School, to bring discussions and decisive action to the people who matter. Many TRADA members are signatories of Architects Declare and Construction Declares, among others, which is fantastic. I cannot overstate how critical it is that we design buildings that function as part of a larger self-sustaining system. It is one thing for individuals to challenge their behaviour, but we must also call for systemic change.
New appointees
I am delighted to formally welcome Kelly Harrison, Associate Director at Whitby Wood, to the TRADA Board as a Director. It is a much-deserved position; her aspirations for and commitment to timber have seen her through more than 14 years in the industry, and a further year on the TRADA Advisory Committee (AC).
I would also like to thank Alex Abbey, Partner at Cullinan Studio and supportive member of the AC, for stepping up to the role of AC Chair, a position left open by Simon Smith’s departure.
TRADA and the Timber Trade Federation
In October 2020, the TRADA Board signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic merger of both TRADA and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) in 2021.
This is an historic step forward for timber in the UK and brings together two of the oldest and biggest names in timber. It will combine the lobbying and communications power of the TTF with the technical know-how, insight and design guidance from TRADA to make timber the first-choice product for designers across the country. I am looking forward to working with David Hopkins and other colleagues to make this a success from day one.
Summary
2020 was a pivotal year and I’m sure there will be many more challenges to come. We have not yet seen the end of Covid-19, nor the long-term impacts of Brexit, but – as Chairman of TRADA – I remain hopeful that the timber industry may seize the opportunity to grow and take root. n
