In Australia, in Canada, in Europe, architects, developers and builders are doing more than just talk about the attributes of wood construction. Forté - Australia’s first timber high rise apartment building was completed in 2012 and stands at 32.17 meters tall. The...

We've all seen those tiny particles floating around in a beam of sunlight.  Those culprits are often the cause of many indoor allergies which affect nearly 40 million Americans. So let’s clear the air by incorporating more American hardwoods into your designs....

Environmentally friendly treatment methods are making hardwood an excellent material for outdoor applications. And now ash, poplar, maple, and other thermally modified hardwoods are performing just as well, if not better than cedar, popular imported species, and...

At Expo Milan 2015, the USA pavilion included a 500m2 hardwood deck that ran the length of the pavilion’s first level. New York architect James Biber chose American white oak for the project because he “wanted a classic-looking hardwood to blend in and complement the...

When Washington DC area architect James Rill was asked to describe his design aesthetic, he deemed it “naturesque,” and said that his firm “dedicates itself to creating spaces that are connected to the views and vistas of the outdoors.” “The environment around you, he...

“Evidence-based design is an area of study that focuses on incorporating the results of empirical research into the quality of the build environment.” A report, released by Australia’s not-for-profit Planet Ark Environmental Foundation and entitled, “Wood, Housing,...

Did you know that “every 10,000 ft3 of wood used in a nonresidential structure stores roughly the same amount of CO2 as taking 50 cars off the road in the U.S. for a year?” And did you know that the energy stored in the same amont of wood “is enough to light 100...

Every year, the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE) recognizes projects that “celebrate innovation in sustainable design that thoroughly integrate architecture, natural systems, and technology to protect and enhance the...

For “neat and functional” furniture creations, more and more designers are taking an ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to species selection. Tulipwood is taking the design industry by storm, and for good reason. The sapwood is creamy white and may be streaked, with the...

Worldwide, there are over 120 different maple species. Thirteen can be found in North America and from those, “four or five account for the majority of commercial lumber produced.” What differentiates Hard Maple from Soft? Hard Maple, favoring a colder climate and...