Environmental

Environmental

With sustainability regarded as a significant importance in the construction industry and the extended business community, it is essential that we protect and contribute positively to the quality of our environment.

MASS Timber Structures are committed to developing sustainable practices that help ensure the most economical design and use of our valuable resources. In doing so, we maintain the highest level of quality, service and value for money for all of our client base.

As part of of our commitment to sustainability, we only procure timber from well managed and legally compliant sources. This ensures that harvested timber is replanted, the local ecology has been protected and that everyone working in the forestry sector are treated fairly.

Timber is one of nature's natural building materials and has the unique ability to decrease the amount of C02 and other greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and store it as carbon. The tree becomes a carbon sink, the product of which is subsequently stored in the building as part of the completed structure.

Mass timber products such as Glulam (Glued Laminated Timber) and CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) are substantially less energy intensive to produce and install than alternative construction materials, such as steel and concrete. Structural timber elements are extremely carbon efficient to harvest and transport, as well as producing very little waste during production. Off-site manufacturing has the added benefit of fewer deliveries, further cutting emissions.

Wellbeing

With much of our time (up to 90%) being spent "inside", whether in our cars, homes, schools, places of work, etc.. we believe it is vital that careful thought is given to the design of our buildings, particularly in terms of the health and well-being of it's occupants.

Biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature and space & place conditions.

Many studies now prove that the effect of more natural surroundings, which in our product offering would be timber, provides a more calming experience for its occupants.

Recent testing on the effect of using timber in educational buildings have shown that an exposed timber environment has a very positive effect. Whilst lowering student's heart rates, the subjects were found to be calmer, better behaved and more responsive to teaching, improving the overall educational experience.

It was also found that all of the people involved in the timber finished classrooms also benefited from a better sleep pattern - again improving their overall well-being.

Similar studies on office buildings have confirmed an increase in energy, innovation and overall comfort, whilst in residential care homes there was a significant increase in the interaction of the occupants.

Health & Safety

Health and safety is a key part of any construction project and is something that MASS Timber Structures have an excellent track record of and continually receive industry awards & accolades, for which we are extremely proud.

Our staff and site operatives are certified through a range of training schemes ensuring we manage, supervise and carry out all our works to the highest safety standards.

We continually review, update and amend our Health & Safety files ensuring that the safety, health & wellbeing of our people is at the forefront of everything we do. This is transferred from office to site with regular "tool box talks" being carried out.

Community

We fully appreciate the significant impact construction can have on the local community. Our DfMA (Design for Manufacture & Assembly) embraces off-site manufacture and therefore has a significant positive effect on any local community by reducing the amount of construction work carried out on-site. This results in a quieter, cleaner and less disruptive building site, with a reduced overall site programme.

By utilising an off-site methodology, MASS Timber Structures are also able to reduce the overall number of trades and material deliveries, helping to improve traffic flow and minimise noise and air pollution.