Construction & Civil Engineering Issue 224 - Nov | Page 120

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Positive environmental impact
Specialising in wood-based construction offers many advantages, not only in terms of efficiency but also sustainability, as David explains.“ The first key advantage is environmental. Trees absorb carbon dioxide( CO 2
) from the air as they grow, so this greenhouse gas becomes embedded in the tree. When we use the tree for construction, the CO 2 remains stored in the wood and in the building, preventing its release back into the atmosphere. As part of the structural elements of a house, the carbon remains stored until the building is eventually demolished. Moreover, using wood as a construction material requires less effort for groundwork and reduces the use of concrete and other materials. This approach minimises landfill waste and is beneficial for the local environment, further demonstrating one of the biggest
advantages of building with wood: its positive environmental impact.
“ Another benefit is that wood is much lighter than other construction materials, especially concrete. This lighter weight facilitates the construction of volumetric units; we can build apartments of any square meterage in a single volume. Each volume has to adhere to specific dimensions to comply with transportation regulations, as they cannot be too wide to navigate public roads or railways. Thanks to its lighter weight, wood allows for a more industrialised approach to construction, thereby reducing production costs. Consequently, this helps lower rental prices, making housing more affordable for communities. Additionally, the construction process with wood is quieter, which is particularly important in densely populated areas, as it helps to
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