By-line article by Greg Cooper, Preconstruction Manager for the X-LAM Alliance
Walking into a building for the first time can often trigger a mood or emotion but while more research is required on the impact that construction materials can have on health and well-being, evidence is emerging to suggest that cross laminated timber (CLT) can enhance and improve the internal environment.
CLT has become a valuable structural asset for notably enhancing education environments and the X-LAM Alliance, as innovators in the design and delivery of sustainable CLT structures, have in-depth insight and experience across all construction sectors.
Greg Cooper, Preconstruction Manager for the X-LAM Alliance, advises designers and specifiers on the positive benefits and today he shares his perspective:
Building for Educational Well-being
“Building a successful school environment involves the integration of a range of different components. These include structuring the building around the needs of the curriculum and the local community – providing flexible and adaptable spaces with the capacity for public use - creating warm and inviting spaces that help to inspire learning. Not only is cross laminated timber sustainable and adaptable, it provides a natural and calming environment, providing a peaceful space for teaching and learning.
This is demonstrated in a recent study led by Holzcluster Steiermark called ‘Schule ohne Stress,’ which translates as ‘School without Stress.’ The objectives of the study referred to as ‘The SOS school project,’ was to look at natural and healthy learning environments. It examined the basic scientific reasons behind the effects a building can have on psychological and mental well-being.
Comparing 52 school pupils from a primary and secondary school situated in Haus im Ennstal, the study examined the behaviour of four different classes. It examined two classrooms that had been constructed with timber and wooden interior furniture with two that were built by more traditional methods.
The study that was conducted over one school year, discovered that the pupils in the timber classroom were more relaxed, slept better and experienced a significant drop in heart rates over duration of the project. In contrast, the students in the standard classroom had low heart rates at the start of the school year but this changed and a steady increase was noted throughout the study.
Stress levels also played an important part in the study. Levels remained the same throughout the research with the pupils in the timber classrooms but higher stress levels were found amongst pupils in the standard classroom. There was also less concentration errors found between the pupils in the timber classrooms.
The study concluded that along with the progressive benefits such as speed of construction, sustainability and visual appeal, the long term effects of cross laminated timber on the health and wellbeing of occupants were largely positive. From the results of the study, it would suggest that timber can help reduce stress levels and create healthy educational environments.
Welfare of Occupants
The design of a building can be critical to the well-being of its occupants which is an important factor when referring to the welfare and health of patients and residents of care homes. Sympathetic design supported by the use of the correct building materials can provide comfortable and therapeutic environments. By applying timber solutions to healthcare buildings, a light and open environment can be created, which overall, will help with mental well-being, whilst creating a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere.
The rapid construction of offsite manufactured timber systems is a huge advantage when constructing such buildings, as it means that patients and residents can be placed in the facility without delay. The links between the environment, human health and well-being means that it is vital for public healthcare facilities to be constructed sustainably with ecologically focused materials.
The Good Corporate Citizen Model
Corporate Social Responsibility is referred to as ‘The Good Corporate Citizenship,’ within the NHS and focuses on making a contribution to sustainable development, health improvement and tackling health inequalities.
The Good Corporate Citizen self-assessment allows NHS Trusts to measure their progress in its wider sustainability activities. It looks at how corporate behaviour can assist population, health, social cohesion, strong local economies and a healthy environment. One of the areas that it focuses on is buildings and it aims to provide technical and building initiatives to reduce carbon emissions through its ‘Sustainability Work Programme.’
Timber systems are designed to maximise thermal performance and minimise air leakage, offering well-insulated buildings that do not need expensive bolt on technologies to enhance the environmental and energy performance. This will in time reduce the running costs benefiting larger organisations such as the NHS with bigger buildings that require a considerable amount of power to run.
BREEAM Communities
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method), is a sustainability rating scheme specifically for the built environment. It focuses on measuring and reducing the impacts of buildings and creates higher value, lower risk properties that are better for its inhabitants and the setting, which is particularly important for educational and healthcare facilities.
The BREEAM Communities examines issues that may affect sustainability at the earliest stage of the project process, such as influencing site layout and the provision of green space and other amenities. At the early stage of a project it is possible to influence design decisions which impact on the building occupants - this is hugely important when determining how a building will and impact on health and wellbeing.
Greener Building Methods
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase and on this trajectory, it is highly likely that global temperature will exceed the 2°C limit that countries have agreed to target, in order to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.
The built environment is said to be responsible for 45% of the total UK carbon emissions with up to 32% of landfill waste coming from the construction and demolition of buildings. However, not only has timber been proven to have positive effects on human health, is it also a highly renewable construction material with a low carbon foot print. This is because methods of construction are offsite and when compared to traditional construction method, produce significantly lower amounts of waste. Timber has an advantage over traditional builds, as manufacturing methods in a factory are able to be much more controlled and accurate; this has a major impact on the reduction in waste.
The transition to a low-carbon economy presents our industry with great opportunities for growth. Environmental considerations will transform how our buildings are constructed, what materials are used and the methods employed. I believe that the time is right for the construction industry to embrace innovative timber technology and offsite techniques to develop better buildings at a rapid rate to enhance lives, minimise the environmental impact and reduce energy costs for occupants for many years to come.”
Learnings and Understanding
The X-LAM Alliance can assist at every stage of your construction journey – from pre-tender design through to onsite delivery and everything in between. As industry specialists, they offer one hour CPD sessions. These development sessions are tailored to meet the requirements of architects, engineers, specifiers and cover the technical and performance benefits.
Positives of CLT:
• Exposed timber creates natural calming
• Generates a peaceful space for teaching and learning
• Promotes health and well-being
• Reduces carbon footprint and offers a greener lifestyle
• Cuts waste and reduces landfill
To find out more information or to book a CLT CPD Session, please email: info@xlam-alliance.com or visit: www.xlam-alliance.com
