Short answer

Prioritize timber as a primary construction material for multi-storey buildings to achieve substantial reductions in environmental impact, exploring innovative timber systems and extensive timber use in design.

Field: Sustainability
Source: University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) (2009)
Method: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling
Evidence: Strong effect

Utilizing timber in multi-storey building construction, particularly with increased timber integration in architectural features, demonstrably lowers both embodied energy and global warming potential compared to concrete or steel structures. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2009 study published in University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury). Using Life cycle assessment (lca) modelling, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Prioritize timber as a primary construction material for multi-storey buildings to achieve substantial reductions in environmental impact, exploring innovative timber systems and extensive timber use in design.

Study

SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Timber construction significantly reduces building life cycle environmental impact

University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) · 2009

Key Findings

01Increasing the amount of timber in building construction decreases initial embodied energy and global warming potential.
02Timber-based buildings showed lower total energy consumption and global warming potential over their 60-year lifespan compared to concrete and steel alternatives.
03Innovative timber structural systems and increased use of timber in architectural elements further amplified these environmental benefits.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing new buildings, conduct a comparative LCA early in the design process to evaluate the environmental performance of different material choices, with a strong consideration for timber-based solutions.

Project actions

01When choosing materials for your design project, research their environmental impact using LCA data.
02Consider innovative uses of materials, like advanced timber systems, to improve sustainability.

Method & Evidence

AimTo quantify the life cycle energy use and global warming potential of multi-storey office buildings constructed with different primary materials (concrete, steel, and timber variations).

MethodLife Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling

ProcedureFour similar six-storey office building designs were modelled: one with concrete structure, one with steel structure, one with an innovative timber structure (LVL), and one with an enhanced timber structure including architectural features. The LCA considered embodied energy, maintenance, transport, operational energy, and end-of-life scenarios (landfill vs. reuse).

ContextCommercial building construction

Variables

IV["Primary construction material (Concrete, Steel, Timber, TimberPlus)","Extent of timber use (structural vs. structural + architectural)"]

DV["Life cycle energy use","Global warming potential (GWP)","Embodied energy of materials"]

CV["Building size and storeys (six-storey, 4,200m2)","Building lifetime (60 years)","Operational energy consumption (low and similar across models)","Construction time (predicted similar)"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Comprehensive life cycle assessment including end-of-life scenarios.
+Comparison of multiple material options and innovative timber designs.
+Modelling based on an actual building type.

Limitations

The accuracy of LCA models depends heavily on the data inputs, which can vary. Real-world construction may encounter unforeseen challenges not captured in simulations.

Reliability & validity

The validity of the findings relies on the accuracy of the LCA modelling software and the input data. Reliability would be enhanced by repeating the analysis with different LCA software or datasets.

Think critically

To what extent do regional differences in material sourcing, manufacturing processes, and waste management infrastructure affect the comparative environmental benefits of timber versus concrete or steel construction?

Design Principles

"Embrace renewable and sustainably sourced materials in construction to minimize embodied energy and operational carbon emissions throughout a building's life cycle."

This research highlights the critical role of material selection in the environmental performance of buildings. Designers and engineers can leverage these findings to make informed decisions that contribute to more sustainable construction practices and reduce the overall ecological footprint of the built environment.

What This Means for Your Design

Using wood instead of concrete or steel for building parts makes the building much better for the environment over its whole life.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when justifying material choices based on environmental impact, particularly when comparing timber to traditional materials like concrete or steel.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research demonstrates that the selection of construction materials significantly influences the environmental footprint of multi-storey buildings. By modelling concrete, steel, and various timber-based structures, the study found that increasing timber content, particularly through innovative structural and architectural applications, leads to substantial reductions in embodied energy and global warming potential over the building's life cycle. This supports the adoption of timber as a more sustainable alternative in construction.

Source

University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury)

Environmental Impacts of Multi-Storey Buildings Using Different Construction Materials

journal · 2009

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about timber construction significantly reduces building life cycle environmental impact?: Prioritize timber as a primary construction material for multi-storey buildings to achieve substantial reductions in environmental impact, exploring innovative timber systems and extensive timber use in design. Evidence: University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury) (2009).
Why does "Timber construction significantly reduces building life cycle environmental impact" matter for design?: This research highlights the critical role of material selection in the environmental performance of buildings. Designers and engineers can leverage these findings to make informed decisions that contribute to more sustainable construction practices and reduce the overall ecological footprint of the built environment.
How can designers apply this research?: Prioritize timber as a primary construction material for multi-storey buildings to achieve substantial reductions in environmental impact, exploring innovative timber systems and extensive timber use in design.
What were the main findings?: Increasing the amount of timber in building construction decreases initial embodied energy and global warming potential.. Timber-based buildings showed lower total energy consumption and global warming potential over their 60-year lifespan compared to concrete and steel alternatives.. Innovative timber structural systems and increased use of timber in architectural elements further amplified these environmental benefits.
What research method was used?: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2009 journal from University of Canterbury Research Repository (University of Canterbury).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing new buildings, conduct a comparative LCA early in the design process to evaluate the environmental performance of different material choices, with a strong consideration for timber-based solutions.
What are the limitations?: The study is based on modelled buildings and specific New Zealand sourcing and end-of-life scenarios, which may vary in other geographical contexts. Operational energy consumption was kept similar across all models, potentially masking other operational differences.