The potential for underutilised timber for the built environment

Timber milling generates a substantial amount of offset, waste and by-product which are under-valued and unsuitable for the market. This unsuitability needs to be challenged; the terms ‘waste’ and ‘byproduct’ come from a market currently hungry for high-grade timber, yet unable to absorb an equal quantity of lower-grade timber.

Design can suggest alternative absorption methods for an underutilised product that can potentially benefit the industry by influencing the subjective way people understand the quality and uses of byproduct. The school of thought of Design-Polemical Theory is implemented to help rationalise this real-world problem and propose potential solutions from an architectural point of view.

This research aims to develop an understanding of the dilemma that is underutilised timber. This understanding will lead to a series of design absorption strategies for underutilised timber and potential products, ultimately turning low-value elements into high-value products and assist in reducing carbon emissions within the built environment.