Healthy Homes: Understanding Thermal Modification

In particular, how their longevity and impact on heating and cooling the home impacts inhabitants' health. Sarah discusses thermal modification in wood and the use of thermally modified timber when cladding a home. She also shares about how managed forests play an important part in the biodiversity solution.

Key Points Covered:

• Introduction to Healthy Homes:
  • Defining the concept of a healthy home and its impact on residents' well-being.
  • Understanding the multifaceted aspects of the built environment contributing to a healthy living space.
• Thermal Modification and Sustainable Building:
  • An in-depth look at thermal modification.
  • Exploring the implications of specifying thermally modified wood products on homes.
  • Examining how the longevity and thermal properties of wood impact heating and cooling, directly influencing inhabitants' health.
• Thermal Modification Process:
  • Understanding the technology used in thermal modification.
  • Exploring the controlled modification process using an ephemeral modification kiln.
  • Highlighting the significance of reaching 230 degrees in the thermal modification process.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Discussing the environmental aspects of thermal modification.
  • The absence of harmful chemicals in certain thermally modified timbers.
  • Addressing the safety of human interaction and minimizing potential negative impacts on the environment.
• Sustainable Forestry in New Zealand:
  • Exploring the role of managed forests in biodiversity solutions.
  • Understanding the sustainable practices of growing timbers in New Zealand forests.
  • Highlighting New Zealand's forested area, rapid growth, and its position as a source for raw material in sustainable forestry.
    
  • Learning Outcomes:
• Attendees will comprehend the essential components that contribute to creating a healthy home environment.
• Attendees will gain insights into the implications of specifying thermally modified wood products on the longevity and thermal properties of homes.
• Attendees will understand the thermal modification process, including the technology and temperature parameters involved.
• Attendees will grasp the environmental benefits of thermally modified timbers, free from harmful chemicals and safe for human interaction.
• Attendees will recognize the importance of sustainable forestry practices in New Zealand and their role in supporting healthy, durable building materials.

Notes:

RIBA Approved CPD Activity

AIBC - Architectural Institute of British Columbia 

1 Core Learning Unit