Incorporating timber into your structure – how to ensure success

The importance of timber design cannot be overstated when it comes to addressing climate change. It can sequester carbon, reduce embodied energy, support sustainable forestry, and promote energy-efficient buildings. The incorporation of timber into construction practices is a notable advancement towards creating a more environmentally friendly and durable built environment.  

In this three-part IStructE webinar series speakers will explore designing multi-unit timber housing, integrating mass timber in commercial buildings up to seven stories, and seamlessly incorporating timber into hybrid structures.

In the final webinar in this three-part webinar series presenters will share how to:

• Understand client expectations and educating them on the benefits and challenges of using timber.

• Strategies for aligning client vision with timber's capabilities.

• Explore how timber affects design parameters such as grid layouts, detailing requirements, and span distances.

• Best practices for integrating timber into your design process from the beginning.

• Case studies and examples of successful timber office fit outs.

• Design and construction considerations for hybrid structures to maximize the strengths of each material.

​Reasons to attend

• Analyse the latest industry insights and evaluate expert knowledge to predict future trends and opportunities.

• Implement sustainability practices and assess their environmental impact to enhance corporate responsibility.

• Develop regulatory and policy updates to ensure compliance and adapt to changing legal landscapes.

• Explore innovative design approaches through case studies and real-world examples to inspire creative solutions.

• Evaluate economic benefits and promote inspiration and motivation for future sustainable initiatives.

Intended for

• Structural engineers from practices of all sizes, wishing to understand timber better

• Timber specialists

• Those working in the wider built environment community

• Structural engineering students

• Architects

• Construction Managers

• Project Managers

Speakers

Kelly Harrison

Director at Whitby Wood

Kelly specialises in timber structures, as well as refurbishments and working on historic buildings. She has a keen interest in sustainable design, resource efficiency and good communication. She has completed the detailed design of several large timber framed buildings and is an active member on the Board of Directors at Timber Development UK.

Mark Porter

Managing Structural Engineering Director at StructureCraft

Mark leads StructureCraft’s engineering team across all offices, focusing on efficient and beautiful structures alongside Lucas Epp and Tom Meyer. With nearly 30 years of experience, he has led multi-discipline teams in North America and the UK, specialising in prefabricated, low-carbon systems, timber, concrete, and steel. Recognised for his work in sustainability, Mark is a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers and Engineers Canada. He has led award-winning projects and championed sustainability throughout his career. Mark prioritises people in design and leadership, emphasising mentorship and serving on various committees. He was the founding Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Group to Engineers Geoscientists BC and serves on the Wood First Advisory Committee and CSA Code Development Committees. He is also a Board Director for Engineers & Geoscientists of British Columbia.

Sanja Buncic

Associate Director at Elliott Wood, Chair

Sanja is a firm believer in the importance of collaboration between colleagues, stakeholders, and future building users and has a deep understanding of the physics of building construction in addition to her certification as a Passivhause consultant. She is passionate about environmentally sustainable and low-carbon construction. This knowledge not only helps her with her own project work, but it also contributes additional expertise to the practice as a whole. Sanja has strong feelings regarding the conservation of existing structures, and she is quite passionate about the necessity of extending the life of our building stock which she does with the perfect balance of imagination and pragmatism.