The Institute of Wood Science‘s new-look annual convention, open to architects and specifers for the first time, saw delegate numbers rise by 50% on last year.

IWSc president Geoff Bagnall said the event in Cardiff last week attracted an “impressive mix” of delegates, including about 50 architects.

“Traditionally our membership and student base has come from the timber and related industries but that doesn’t have to be the case,” he said. “Why shouldn’t we attract members from other sectors, such as architects, engineers and designers, especially with their ongoing requirements for CPD.”

He welcomed the greater exposure of timber through advertising and seminars and said the IWSc had the opportunity to “work in partnership with other parties for the common good”.

The theme of the convention was ‘How does wood help to sustain the built environment’ and speakers included Michael Dickson, chairman of Buro Happold; Peter Ross of Ove Arup; and Matthew Hoad of Michael Hopkins & Partners.

&#8220What is clear is that wood is a renewable resource against which other materials must be judged.”

IWSc president Geoff Bagnall

Mr Bagnall pointed out that the use of timber had been identified in the government’s sustainability and procurement policy, and at the same time the government was increasing expenditure on capital investment.

“For too long wood was on the back foot in a very defensive role,” he said. “Some may say that the environmental pressure on timber and wood based products has eased. More likely, the debate has become more balanced, with the facts put forward by the industry now being heard and accepted.

“What is clear is that wood is a renewable resource against which other materials must be judged.”