Roundwood in building construction EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably

Lecture Objectives Student should gain: An understanding of the principles of EURIS. Basic knowledge of some uses of roundwood in building construction. Understand the concept of localness and how this assists in sustainability. EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably

What is EURIS all about ? Europeans using roundwood innovatively & sustainably – all Europeans, not just in certain countries. Europeans using roundwood innovatively & sustainably – making use of wood, not stopping harvesting or management. Europeans using roundwood innovatively & sustainably – the natural properties of wood in its round form (or with minimal processing) are important. Europeans using roundwood innovatively & sustainably – EURIS wants to seek out new and exciting products and processes and engender innovation in foresters and wood users. Europeans using roundwood innovatively & sustainably – Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is enshrined in forest policy and EURIS wants to protect and enhance the environment rather than damage it.

EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably Why use roundwood, instead of sawn timber ? Round timber has good natural strength because it retains its natural structure. The lack of industrial processing means that energy consumption is low and the process can be very sustainable. The lack of processing means that woodland owners can use their own timber in a local way – this can be good for local jobs. Round timber has a natural look. For heritage uses, our ancestors often used roundwood, so to keep heritage integrity, we need to do the same,

EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably For restoring heritage buildings, it is important to prepare timbers in the same way as the original builders All the original timbers for the church of Mikulášová in eastern Slovakia, came from local forests, were carefully chosen and prepared by hand. The builders understood and respected the strength properties of roundwood.

EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably The original timbers have lasted much longer than cheaper, badly prepared replacement timbers. In the main church structure, beneath the cladding, the upper timber is original – note the rounded surface. The lower one (left hand) is a square sawn replacement and the broken cell structure has allowed water to penetrate.

EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably The original roof shingles must be replaced. It is important to use hand-made ones that are worked from round timber with hand tools in the original way.

Roundwood can also be used in contemporary buildings These Italian designed (Massimo Del Senno – IVALSA) agricultural buildings use local roundwood and simple jointing techniques. EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably

These roundwood agricultural buildings are successful because…. They use local roundwood and processing is minimal so it is sustainable. Non-experts can erect them, so local jobs are created. They use the strength and durability characteristics of roundwood. They are simple and attractive in protected landscapes EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably

As well as being practical in building construction – roundwood can look attractive. These examples are from Slovenia, Spain and Cyprus. The roundwood stair post is particularly interesting because the roundwood shape is used as an integral part of the design. EURIS – Europeans Using Roundwood Innovatively & Sustainably