Built by Nature: Wood Research

Built by Nature Fund to enhance technical understanding of MULTISTOREY TIMBER HOUSING in The Netherlands

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Recognising the need for better technical knowledge and the upskilling of construction industry talent to support the adoption of multi storey mass timber housing in the Netherlands, the Built by Nature Fund has awarded a €122,000 grant to Urban Climate Architects and MAATworks Architects towards creation of an open-access knowledge and guidance resource from data and technical details compiled from existing buildings.  

The research project, “Setting thestandard on detailing multistorey timber housing” will see the two mass timber architecture practices conduct an in-depth study of ten multistorey mass timbe rresidences based on their performance data, design details, and relevant design approaches.  

Analysis will focus on the buildings’ structural, fire and acoustic performance, as well as broader design details. Research outputs will be captured across ten case studies, guidelines for mass timber design, and a set of design and technical details.  

“This Built by Nature-funded knowledge initiative will support mainstream designers, developers and investors in choosing mass timber for multi storey residential projects,”

“Ultimately, this is about increased confidence, competency and comfort for detailing these projects among designers and the wider construction industry in the Netherlands and beyond.” 

 “There is a mismatch betweenbuilding in mass timber and Dutch regulations on fire and acoustics, whichleads to discussion on actual approved solutions,”

“We’ll be publishing details at atechnical level of LoD500, which are a result of the experience gained fromactual, realised buildings. Together with advisors and municipalities, this will lead to less discussion and more standardised solutions.” 

Lidewij Lenders, timber and biobased specialist at MAATworks Architects, adds: “This guidance project creates the foundation for a longer-term goal of setting a benchmark for acoustics in mass timber buildings, and to update current acoustic regulations in the Netherlands to better reflect the properties of mass timber.” 

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