Designing Timber Buildings

Over the last three decades, timber architecture has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to the level of innovation, experimentation and environmental responsiveness it engenders. Designing Timber Buildings offers a comprehensive overview of timber as a construction material, in addition to practical design guidance. A series of ten exemplary case studies of award-winning timber building from around the world inform and inspire the design process. Topics covered include: the physical and mechanical properties of wood; preservative treatments; modified timber and engineered-timber products; environmental aspects of timber buildings and finally, structural systems and constructional techniques, including timber frame, structural insulated panels and cross-laminated timber. This book is richly illustrated throughout with detailed drawings and photographs documenting projects from construction to completion.

Dr Fausto Sanna is a chartered architect and Head of Department (Architecture & Built Environment) at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he has established the BA (Hons) Architecture. Previously, he has worked in universities in Italy, Scotland and England. His research interests revolve around timber architecture, analyzed from different perspectives: constructional techniques, structural behaviour, thermal performance and environmental impact, including mitigation and adaptation strategies to tackle climate change.