The American Hardwood Export Council‘s promotional campaign in India has got underway with a seminar attended by more than 120 architects.

The event, which had a theme of “materials and technology” and was held in New Delhi, attracted some of the country’s most influential specifiers.

AHEC teamed up with Indian architectural journal A+D (Architecture+Design), which co-ordinated the seminar and discussion as part of a series of debates designed to raise important issues.

David Venables, AHEC’s European director, demonstrated the growing fashion for temperate hardwoods in European building design and how American species are performing for top architects.

&#8220The response from the architects was very positive and a real indication that the design community in India wants to embrace global fashions and use more wood in building ”

AHEC European director David Venables

He cited several projects including Foster & Partners’ use of American ash in the Sage Auditorium, Gateshead and Renzo Piano’s Rome Auditorium which features American cherry.

Mr Venables said: “The response from the architects was very positive and a real indication that the design community in India wants to embrace global fashions and use more wood in building.”