Architects stick with timber, says survey

Timber and timber products are considered “important materials in the modern built environment” by architects – but the industry should do more to provide needed information.

These are among the findings from a snapshot survey of 50 architects by the organisers of The Timber Show. The survey results will be used to help develop the event and may lead to discussion topics for its CPD seminar sessions.

“One very good piece of news in light of the ‘knocking’ tone of some construction media reporting of the Colindale fire in London last year is that it has not deterred architects from considering timber frame,” said The Timber Show exhibition director John Southam.

“In response to the statement ‘I will not use timber for structural purposes because it is a fire risk’, 80% either ‘disagreed’ or ‘strongly disagreed’,” he said.

“However, the survey also showed that architects think the timber industry needs to do more to promote its products,” added Mr Southam.

The Timber Show takes place from March 11-13, 2008 at ExCeL, London.