Wood is one of the most widely available and versatile building materials on earth. Timber is and always should be a sustainable source, it can be grown, sourced and replenished with little or no waste. Wooden structures have been built by humans for centuries, some of the oldest existing timber structures were discovered at Stonehenge dating back to 3100 BC. Hopefully, timber will continue to be a valuable resource for centuries to come but only if we strive to protect our rainforests and, we as designers make it our duty to source sustainable materials from reputable suppliers.
The global trade in roundwood, paper, furniture, and other products originating from illegally extracted timber is a multi-million-pound industry. Illegal logging accounts for 15-30% of all wood traded globally and is leaving a gaping hole in the rainforests. Ancient trees that have stood for hundreds of years are being torn down with little or no regard to their importance to the eco-structure of the surrounding area. This illegal practice is stripping the economic livelihood of local communities and responsible legal logging companies.
Native and indigenous people living in or around these forests are being severely affected by illegal loggers moving in with migrant workers and decimating the land around them. For many of these indigenous people, the forests provide not only their home but their livelihood. They are dependent on the trees and vegetation around them. Around the world, forest-dwelling communities have little control over the ownership of their land. This makes them vulnerable to outsiders looking to exploit the land causing repression and possible human rights violations. But how do we work to stop illegal logging? Do you know where your desk came from? The picture frames hanging on your wall? Your wardrobe? The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organisation that sets the standards for what is a responsibly managed forest, both environmentally and socially. They ensure that companies meet the best practice standards, helping forests remain thriving and accessible environments for generations to come. The FSC "tick tree" logo assures you that you don't have to worry about whether forests were destroyed to make the product or if the workers employed to wield the chainsaws and fell the trees were paid a fair wage.
Scotland is particularly invested in local and sustainable timber. Since 2012, as part of the annual RIAS Awards scheme, Forestry Commission Scotland and Wood for Good have combined to sponsor an award aimed at encouraging the innovative and creative use of timber in new buildings in Scotland. The award also seeks to stimulate more significant appreciation of home-grown, sustainable timber and its potential for use in construction, with added consideration given to the thoughtful and appropriate use of different species. There is no restriction on building type or scale of the project – from small to large and from domestic to commercial, the challenge is to show how suited the use of timber is to the development of architecture in Scotland. The aim is to highlight the versatility and importance of sustainable wood and how we as a country can embrace it.
