Timber Development UK, working with Waugh Thistleton Architects, has released Timber Typologies, a free downloadable ‘beginner’s guide’ for various timber solutions. Fran Williams speaks to Waugh Thistleton associate Alastair Ogle to find out what it’s all about

How did Timber Typologies come about?
In discussion with Timber Development UK (TDUK), we found we were both noticing that people were getting confused and referring simply to ‘timber buildings’, which was leading to miscommunication and misunderstandings. For example, when someone talks about an eight-storey timber office building and then about a two-storey timber house, quite often people would have the same construction system in mind and believe this would be used to deliver both buildings. In reality, the timber products used to deliver an eight-storey timber building are very different to those used for a two-storey timber house. We felt a short, easily accessible overview was necessary to clarify misconceptions such as these.

What does the guide consist of?
It is an introduction to the benefits of using timber and the different types of timber components. It explains why stud and plywood systems are typically used for lightweight timber frame construction and the specific properties of mass timber elements: glulam, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and cross-laminated timber (CLT). It explains why lightweight timber frames are typically used to deliver lower to mid-rise construction and when you might employ a panelised CLT or a post-and-beam mass timber system.

Click here to read more.