The New Centre for Advanced Timber Technology: A Living Lab for Designers, Industry, and Education

Abstract

To meet the net zero requirements, UK industry will need to change how it operates, relying on more sustainable resources and practices. Within this scheme, the construction industry must move, when possible, from carbon-intensive material to more environmentally-friendly ones (e.g., timber). The general lack of expertise, however, is likely to slow down the transition process. With this in mind, the Centre for Advanced Timber Technology, in Hereford, has been established to form the professionals of the future and to upskill and reskill those willing to learn more about advanced timber practises. Part of this mission is played be the implementation of a living lab approach within the building, through which data will be gathered to inform the curricula and to provide external proof of good or bad practices in timber buildings, which will impact the industry at different levels (e.g., construction practices, design specification or insurance stipulations). This paper analyses the steps taken in this living lab project so far, analysing literature cases, presenting the methodology, and listing the projects involved in the gathering of the data through monitoring of the building.