What is the 'Future of Timber'?
- Katherine Giles
- Mar 11, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 10
We are excited to announce the launch of Future of Timber. An initiative that explores one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how can we meet the growing demand for timber in construction while ensuring our forests remain resilient and thriving?
As timber gains traction as a low-carbon solution for the woes of the built environment, the strain on our forests is increasing. Future of Timber brings together experts that span the timber supply chain—foresters, architects, engineers, processors, policymakers, and researchers—to explore how we can navigate this delicate balance. Through stunning visual storytelling and immersive videography, the platform navigates the interconnectedness of forest stewardship, regenerative silviculture, and timber-based construction.
At its heart, the platform highlights the human stories behind the challenges. It follows foresters nurturing the next generation of trees, designers pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture, and policymakers shaping the future of timber supply. By weaving together these narratives, Future of Timber sheds light on the complexities of the industry while inspiring solutions that prioritise both environmental and economic sustainability and resilience.
The core themes:
The platform tackles key issues shaping the future of timber, including:
Responsibility – Questioning the boundaries of supply chain duties.
Radical Realism – Where reality and boundary-pushing collide.
Investment – The intersection of money, trees, and timber.
Bioregionalism – Exploring opportunities in localised timber supply chains.
Species – Responses to current and future timber species.
A visual celebration of timber’s journey
One of Future of Timber’s most compelling aspects is its rich visual storytelling. Filmed, photographed, edited, and curated by our in-house team, its breathtaking videography and photography captures the intricate process of transforming trees into buildings, the care taken by foresters to ensure sustainable harvesting, and the architects who are reimagining the role of timber in our built environments. Wanting to create a space that is as visually striking as it is engaging, we’ve created a place for both industry professionals and the wider public to explore.
A catalyst for change
Beyond storytelling, Future of Timber is a space for dialogue and action. By bringing together diverse voices across the value chain, it encourages collaboration on policies, practices, and innovations that will shape a sustainable future for timber. It’s not just about promoting timber as a material—it’s about ensuring that as we build with wood, we do so in a way that safeguards the forests and woodlands we depend on.
Join the movement
We are incredibly grateful to Built by Nature, The Forestry Commission, and the Scottish Forestry Trust, and Egger for their invaluable support in bringing this vision to life. Together, we’ve created a platform that not only informs but also drives meaningful change.
We invite you to explore Future of Timber, immerse yourself in its stories, and join us in shaping a timber future where both forests and communities can thrive. And if you have a vision or a project we can help bring to life – get in touch, we would love to hear from you.
