Redefining Sustainability In Scottish Architecture: A Look Into The Timber

Building Tradition
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Photo by Leonhard_Niederwimmer https://pixabay.com/users/Leonhard_Niederwimmer-

1131094/ on Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/timber-framed-building-flow-bridge-
6341063/

Scotland’s rich history of architectural innovation remains one of the most sadly overlooked
aspects of its wide-spanning cultural impact. Although Scottish contributions to
engineering, finance, media and food and drink remain prominent, the term ‘Scottish
architecture’ itself is unlikely to have great familiarity even in those dedicated to the art.
However, from the Bronze Age brochs and crannogs to the later Scots Baronial and Art
Nouveau styles, there has always remained a characteristic uniqueness to the ages of
Scottish construction, and we can see this even in the unlikeliest areas. A new age of
environmentally conscious construction has come upon us, with such concerns as
environmental sustainability and energy efficiency being at the forefront of the new
architect’s mind. As such, let’s look back into Scotland’s long and fertile history of building
wooden structures, and forwards, to how these historic examples are fueling contemporary
sustainable innovation in the modern industry.
Sustainable Architecture and Its Impact on the Environment
Sustainable architecture, as a design ethos, is one that aims to reduce the long-term
negative impact of buildings on the environment. This approach seeks to consider the
building’s entire lifecycle and presence in the ecosystem, from the initial extraction of the
raw materials to the eventual breakdown and dissolution of those materials into the
landscape. The work of modern sustainable architects such as Pat Borer has seen a re-
evaluation of the entire process of construction. It’s no longer enough to simply plant a
section of trees for each house you make or involve some degree of renewable material
(such as timber cladding) in the design; you have to work with sustainable methods and
materials in mind right from the start. Currently, the Scottish construction industry is
responsible for 45% of the country’s overall emissions, but the introduction of sustainable
methods can help by systematically reducing output at every stage of the process.

The History of Timber Buildings in Scotland

Scotland’s history of timber-based buildings dates back millennia, to the early crannogs that
dot the lochs and shorelines of Scotland and Ireland, to the numerous timber-frame houses
that populated the centre of Scottish cities prior to urban renewal. Even where later
architectural styles moved away from timber and firmly onto stone, they retained within
that style vestiges of the prior structure of the timber frames. Evidence of this can be seen in
the use of corbels in a way that referenced the jettying of timber floors. Illustrations that
survive of Scottish cities in the 19th century illustrate a significant number of buildings with
timber cladding, even long after the Scottish Enlightenment had encouraged an age of
architectural renewal, and stone-built buildings were illustrated as a sign of the nation’s
industrial progress. A number of these wooden buildings even illustrate Dutch
characteristics, which illustrates Scotland’s historic links to the continent through such
means as trade and immigration.

Advantages of Timber Buildings

As a construction material, timber has a lot of advantages people might not associate with it
or expect from it, especially when it’s chosen carefully and suitably for the project in mind.
Timber’s insulation properties, whether in the frame or as cladding, are excellent, which
means your property doesn’t need to consume as much energy for heating. Good-quality
timber can blend into the landscape or stand apart from it, and the right choice of coating or
natural wood can really help distinguish your home or building. Timber is incredibly easy to
source renewably and ethically, and trace back to the root, so you know you’re getting a
high-quality and trustworthy product. The carbon footprint of timber products is also not
only lower than their steel or concrete counterparts, but can, in some ways, be neutral, as
wood traps carbon inside it, lowering the overall amount of carbon in the atmosphere. At
the same time, the process of acquiring and preparing wood is much easier to make carbon-
neutral and environmentally friendly, as it necessitates far fewer toxic chemicals, and the
heavy machinery required (bandsaws, forklifts, etc) are easy to convert to run electrically,
and thus via renewable resources. Timber is also a highly versatile material, that can be
used in a wide range of designs and via a number of methods (traditional timber-framing,
modern pre-fabs, Scandinavian minimalist, log cabins, etc) that can easily accommodate a
wide variety of different styles.

Examples of Sustainable Timber Buildings in Scotland

There are numerous modern examples of sustainable timber buildings in Scotland, that help
emphasise the quality, versatility, and beauty of the material. One such example is the
Scottish Forestry Commission headquarters in Inverness, which combines a distinct and
homely series of roofing arches with a modern, warm design by HRI Munro Architecture,
mixing traditional log columns with sleek modern glass-front panels. Another might be the
Tight na Croit house in Gorstan, which uses modern stained timber cladding to stylishly
replicate the classic Highland style of whitewashed stone cottages in a sleek, modern,
energy-efficient fashion. There also exist numerous companies that specialize in
constructing pre-fab homes to similar standards, or stand-alone cabins of equal quality.

Challenges of Using Timber in Architecture in Scotland

The primary challenge innate to using timber as a main architectural frame can be found,
sadly, in its most obvious issue – fire safety. While numerous steps can be made to reduce
the risk of a fire spreading in a timber-framed home, such as fire-retardant treatments,
insulated and prepared cladding, and minimising sources of flame, the fact remains it will
always be a risk for a given homeowner. Another issue is that of durability. If the wood
chosen for the timber frame is poorly selected for the given environment, such as if it lacks
the necessary durability against fungal or insect infection or damp, the frame itself could
begin to rot or cave in, and pose a serious structural issue. This is not a factor that other
frames, or stone constructions, have to contend with. And we also can’t ignore the factor of
cost. Due to subsidisation and economies of scale, concrete and steel remain cheaper and
easier materials for large-scale construction companies to use.

However, these challenges, like many others, are far from insurmountable, and one thing
that can aid these factors is time. Not only are new treatments and technologies emerging
every year to aid in issues of durability and fire-resistance, but more and more architectural
firms and construction companies are beginning to see the benefits timber can provide their
projects. Timber is growing in popularity as a construction material every year, and as the
Scottish Government sets firm goals in relation to reducing carbon emissions, more and
more companies will seek to reduce their emissions in the coming years, and adopting
timber more readily for projects in which it’s suitable is an easily achievable way to help
that reduction.

The Importance of Redefining Sustainability in Scottish Architecture

With this in mind, it’s fair to say that Scotland’s long history of using timber in construction,
and its sizeable forests filled with high-quality wood, make it a prime candidate for a
widespread adoption of sustainable architecture, especially when it comes to timber-
framed buildings. Timber, as one of the few construction materials that’s both renewable
and practical, has a number of distinct advantages over the industry standard building
materials. While timber cladding has always been a popular addition to modern concrete
and steel buildings, more and more firms are beginning to see the potential appeal in
switching to a wood-centric design standard, for its aesthetic, practical, and environmental
benefits.

For anyone who’s interested in the ideals of sustainable agriculture and might want to learn
more about timber-fronted construction, feel free to get in touch! Our team of experts will
be more than happy to help you design and build a sustainable, long-lasting,
environmentally friendly timber building that works for the goals you have in mind. Search
for Logie Timber on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram, call us at 01309 611769, or send us
an e-mail at info@logietimber.co.uk.