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Oxford Conference 2006

"Why Wood?"

St. Hugh's College, Oxford

19th September 2006

Full conference report can be found at the bottom of this page.

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IWSc Annual Conference Report

Chairing this year’s conference, Ruth Slavid opened the proceedings by saying:

 

“This is a good time to talk to architects.  Wood is pressing all the right buttons.  Communicating with architects shows that there is a real need for knowledge in order to add value and there is reliance by architects on suppliers’ knowledge.”

 

Ruth, editor of AJ Specification and author of two books on wood in architecture also referred warmly to the aesthetics and sustainability of wood buildings.  So, among the many issues that came out of this well received conference, it was the fact that communication of knowledge is key, and there was an abundance of that for those who attended. 

 

The annual event commenced this year, rather appropriately for Oxford, with a dinner addressed by local author Colin Dexter of “Morse” fame.  This was preceded by drinks, courtesy of TTJ, in the evening sunlight in the gardens of St Hugh’s College – a truly delightful venue.  In an amusing speech, for which he donated his fee to a hearing charity, Colin claimed to have created Oxford as the murder capital of the country.  Welcoming all the guests, IWSc President prepared everyone for what turned out by general consent to be one of the most interesting programmes for years and thanked all the sponsors for their generous support, singling out local wood distributor Timbmet who were also providing one of the speakers.   

 

Following Ruth Slavid’s introduction, under the theme of “Why Wood?” a programme started with Ciaran O’Connor presenting a case study of newly built Marine Institute in Galway, Ireland.  This project by the Office of Public Works in Dublin, for which he is the Asst Chief Architects and was project architect, demonstrates the use of wood in many forms and applications.  “Longevity is key” said Ciaran whose previous work with wood includes the now well known EU Food & Veterinary Offices, located outside Dublin.  His philosophy is to use the natural characteristics of wood and to “confront the Taliban attitude to preservation of the industry.”  He clearly likes timber as a material for a building, which “should be embellished not embarrassed by it.”  He discussed the effect of climate on the building, set in such an ocean-exposed site.  He also likes the effect that timber has on warming the light.  In a refreshing reference to the complexities of wood he suggested that there is nothing so specialist that you cannot learn about it.  But, his concluding advice to the wood industry is to provide knowledge to facilitate the specifying process, which may take place in a short time frame.  Ciaran has been a leading light in the Wood Spec publication in Ireland which is to be re-issued shortly.  Ruth Slavid, thanking Ciaran, referred to his intelligent and imaginative thinking in his use of wood.

 

Ciaran O'Connor, OPW, opens IWSc Conference with presentation of the Marine Institute in Galway

This was followed by a panel of three speakers who first commented briefly on some of the wood aspects of the Galway project.  Sean O’Sullivan of Timbmet discussed exterior hardwoods, with David Venables of the American Hardwood Export Council tackling some of the interior hardwoods used.  Gordon Ewbank of Osmose picked up on Ciaran’s question of “why treat”, with the idea that for an increase in cost of 15-20% can give a disproportionate life extension.  Many questions arose covering certification, hazard classes, local forest resources, the use of iroko, and the absence of paint until a halt for coffee was called by able chairman Ruth.

 

The first speaker under the title “Wood – fit for purpose” was Luke Hughes who gave another spell-binding insight into the extent to which he understands the practical problems of wood in his world of furniture making, although he did suggest that it is architecture that drives the timber industry.  In any case his Sherlock Holmes approach to problem solving led him to the conclusion that the expertise of the wood sector is not sufficiently made available to the likes of him.  He likened the situation to that of the vicar thanking the congregation for the full amount of cash needed for his appeal but regretting that it was still in their pockets!

 

Ivor Davies discussed innovations and options for wood treatments and then Ruth Nussbaum of Proforest enlightened the conference with a very well illustrated talk on the current thinking about government procurement and certification policies as applied all wood.  She acknowledged the acceptance of SFI certification as evidence of legal and sustainable and the growing acceptance of PEFC due to changes made in response to government.  She also suggested that certification is only one answer to the issue, but in answer to a question did not see mutual recognition of certifications schemes as possible any time soon.  

 

The afternoon session entitled “Re-engineering wood performance” was devoted to a range of technical papers on subjects from acetylation of wood to composites and microwave treatment.  To conclude, a presentation on wood science training was made on behalf of the Institute by Jim Coulson and Peter Kelly.

 

In summing up, Ruth Slavid said that the communication of knowledge by the Institute was really encouraging and suggested that everyone should ask for a moisture meter for Christmas.  She thanked the speakers for their contributions and the delegates for attending.