Whether for its aesthetics, sustainability, performance, longevity or build speed, wood ticks a lot of boxes for specifiers.
Evidence suggests wood can also help make people feel better, due to its being a natural product. Increasing focus on people’s health and well-being in buildings provides a further opportunity for timber to show its strength, which is why TTJ is organising the Wood and Wellness conference at the Hilton London Tower Bridge on February 13.
This subject is likely to grow in importance over the coming years and timber needs to position itself as part of the solution to help foster well-being in homes, workplaces, schools and other public buildings.
Speakers being assembled for Wood and Wellness include architects Oliver Heath of Oliver Heath Design, Elena Brough of Sarah Wigglesworth Architects, Meredith Bowles of Mole Architects and Oliver Jones, director of research at Ryder Architecture.
Dr Ed Suttie, BRE research director, will examine global research on wood and wellness, while David Bourque, development director of the National Forest, will look at the organisation’s efforts to reconnect people with trees and woods.
Case studies in healthcare facilities, education and the workplace will be shared, while panel debates will involve the TTF’s David Hopkins, Rick Wheal of Elementa Consulting and Dr Callum Hill of the University of Bath.
A growing list of industry organisations are now supporters of Wood and Wellness, including TRADA, Wood for Good and the Wood Protection Association. Ticket discounts (25% off £150 ticket price) are available for members of the TTF, BWF, STA, WPA and supporters of Wood for Good.
