Sustainable Building with Timber from edX

The way we construct our buildings needs to change! Over 35% of our global greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to the built environment. A third of that amount is specifically related to the production of abiotic (non-renewable) materials such as concrete, metals and plastics. The associated challenges are not only climate related, but also concern resource scarcity, health and housing provision.

A viable alternative to our current construction paradigm is building with timber. Recent advances in the capabilities of timber manufacturing offer opportunities for large-scale application in the build environment, whilst also going much of the way to solving the aforementioned challenges.

In this course you will learn how we can – and why we should – support the greater use of timber in our built environment by implementing a combined 'sustainable forestry' and 'timber for construction' supply chain.

Sustainable forest management allows us to use timber while preserving forests by taking ecological and social, as well as economic factors into account. Sustainably sourced timber can store carbon, both in forests and in buildings.

Timber is also an ideal material for prefabrication, which allows us to shift the bulk of construction labor to manufacturing halls and make the building process itself cleaner, quicker, of a higher quality, and less of a nuisance on-site.

Additionally, an ideal timber construction process should incorporate circular building practices allowing us to re-use timber structures at individual building and regional level.

Overall, when compared with traditional construction based on heavy abiotic materials, this will result in healthier buildings which store carbon instead of emitting it, while the raw resource grows back in sustainably managed temperate forests.

This course is relevant for all stakeholders in the built environment – architects, developers, engineers, consultants and policymakers – as well as students who want to learn more about the opportunities and cutting-edge best practices for designing and building with timber.

This course has been developed by TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment and the Circular Built Environment Hub, in collaboration with VIA University College Denmark, FSC Netherlands, the AMS Institute, Ssse | OvO associates architects, Lister Buildings, Material District and geWOONhout in the context of the HOME for the future project.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Gain fresh insights into the importance of building sustainably with timber from well-managed forests
Familiarize yourself with the environmental impact and carbon footprint of timber constructions
Analyze and identify circular timber building design typologies

Evaluate the cohesion and stability of timber load-bearing structures
Examine the building physics and design qualities of modern timber buildings
Discuss the benefits of prefabrication and building processes

Gain fresh insights into the importance of building sustainably with timber from well-managed forests
Familiarize yourself with the environmental impact and carbon footprint of timber constructions
Analyze and identify circular timber building design typologies
Evaluate the cohesion and stability of timber load-bearing structures
Examine the building physics and design qualities of modern timber buildings
Discuss the benefits of prefabrication and building processes

Syllabus

Module 1 – Why use timber for sustainable building?

We will explore the importance of shifting to a (more) timber and bio-based construction industry, within the larger societal context of circularity, sustainability and the move toward a ‘post-carbon’ building sector. You will learn how this includes the entire value chain from sustainable forestry to the socio-cultural and economic aspects of policies that hinder, or favor, timber construction and innovation.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Offers a contemporary take on a traditional field, building design and construction

Examines the environmental impacts of building with timber, discussing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Taught by a team of experts in architecture and the built environment from TU Delft

Covers the latest trends and innovations in timber construction

Provides insights into the future of timber construction, including emerging technologies

Requires learners to have a basic understanding of architecture and construction

Reviews summary

Essential insights into sustainable timber building

According to learners, this course offers a largely positive and comprehensive exploration of sustainable building with timber. Students highlight the highly relevant content that addresses critical environmental challenges and modern construction practices. The course provides practical insights into everything from sustainable forestry and carbon footprints to advanced timber structures and the benefits of prefabrication. While its structured modules are praised for making complex topics accessible, some suggest that for highly specialized professionals, the breadth might sometimes mean less granular depth, potentially requiring supplementary research for niche applications.

Well-suited for professionals and students seeking foundational to advanced knowledge.

"As an architect, I found the concepts directly applicable to designing sustainable structures and selecting materials."

"This course is ideal for professionals like me looking to update their knowledge on cutting-edge timber construction practices."

"It offered a strong foundation for a student like myself, bridging theory with practical considerations in the built environment."

Deepens understanding of timber's role in environmental impact and sustainability.

"Understanding the environmental impact through Life Cycle Assessment and carbon footprint comparison was a crucial takeaway for me."

"This course clearly explained timber's role in carbon storage, both in forests and in the built environment, which is highly relevant."

"I now have fresh insights into why supporting greater use of timber is vital for sustainable development and reducing emissions."

Emphasizes real-world application and future trends in timber construction.

"The virtual tour of the manufacturing hall was excellent, really showing how prefabrication simplifies the building process."

"I now understand the practical benefits of circular building practices and how to implement them in design."

"The course provided valuable insights into adapting timber structures for various building heights and modern applications."

Provides a holistic and highly relevant overview of timber construction.

"I found the course to be very comprehensive, covering everything from sustainable forestry practices to advanced timber building typologies and hybrid systems."

"The syllabus is incredibly thorough; I learned about life cycle assessments, fire safety, seismic resistance, and even historical joinery."

"I appreciate how the modules break down complex topics, providing a holistic view of the timber construction industry."

Offers a broad overview, which might require further specialized study.

"While the course is broad, I might need to pursue more specialized courses for in-depth engineering calculations or very specific building codes."

"I feel it provides an excellent high-level overview, but for extremely niche areas, I'll definitely seek out additional resources."

"It’s great for understanding the big picture, but those with extensive prior experience might find some sections introductory."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sustainable Building with Timber with these activities:

Set Up Your Note-taking System

Show steps

Lay out a well-organized, effective system to keep notes throughout the course.

Show steps

Choose a Note-taking App or Notebook
Establish a Naming Convention for Your Notes
Set Up a Filing System for Your Notes

Attend a Webinar on Sustainable Timber Construction

Show steps

Connect with professionals and learn about the latest developments in sustainable timber construction by attending industry webinars.

Show steps

Research Upcoming Webinars
Register for a Webinar
Attend the Webinar and Participate in Discussions

Write a Summary of the Environmental Impact of Timber Construction

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of the environmental benefits of timber construction by summarizing key points from the course materials.

Show steps

Identify the Key Points
Write a Clear and Concise Summary
Review and Edit Your Summary

Eight other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 11 activities

Engage in group discussions on sustainable forestry

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of the importance of sustainable forestry and its role in timber construction.

Show steps

Join an online or in-person study group or forum dedicated to sustainable forestry.
Actively participate in discussions, sharing your knowledge and perspectives while learning from others.
Research and prepare presentations on specific aspects of sustainable forestry to share with the group.

Explore Advanced Timber Construction Techniques

Show steps

Expand your knowledge of innovative timber construction techniques by following online tutorials and demonstrations.

Show steps

Identify Advanced Timber Construction Techniques
Find Online Tutorials and Demonstrations
Follow the Tutorials and Practice the Techniques

Solve Timber Structural Analysis Problems

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of timber structural behavior by solving practice problems.

Show steps

Review the Basic Principles of Structural Analysis
Practice Solving Problems Involving Axial Loads, Shear Forces, and Bending Moments
Apply Your Knowledge to Design Simple Timber Structures

Follow tutorials on prefabrication fabrication

Show steps

Enhance your knowledge about advanced topics and future trends.

Browse courses on Timber Construction

Show steps

Identify influential video tutorials on prefabrication fabrication from reputable sources.
Delve into the tutorials to understand the processes and techniques involved.
Take notes and summarize the key concepts and best practices.

Create a Small-Scale Timber Structure Model

Show steps

Practice the principles of timber construction by designing and building a physical model of a small-scale timber structure.

Show steps

Choose a Simple Timber Structure Design
Gather Materials and Tools
Cut and Assemble the Timber Components
Test the Stability and Strength of Your Model

Participate in a Timber Construction Workshop

Show steps

Gain practical experience in timber construction techniques by participating in a hands-on workshop.

Show steps

Find a Timber Construction Workshop
Register for the Workshop
Attend the Workshop and Participate in Activities

Develop a proposal for a sustainable timber building design

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of circular building practices and apply them to the design of a sustainable timber building.

Show steps

Research and analyze case studies of sustainable timber buildings to identify best practices and innovative approaches.
Develop a design concept for a sustainable timber building, incorporating circular building principles.
Create a detailed proposal that outlines the design, materials, and construction methods for the building.

Design a Sustainable Timber Building Floor Plan

Show steps

Apply the principles of sustainable timber design to create a floor plan for a residential or commercial building.

Show steps

Determine the Building's Program and Requirements
Research and Select Sustainable Timber Materials
Design a Floor Plan that Optimizes Timber Usage
Create Construction Documents for Your Floor Plan

Career center

Learners who complete Sustainable Building with Timber will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Architect

The field of Architecture will benefit immensely from learning the practice of sustainable building with Timber. As an Architect, it is a necessity to stay up-to-date on the sustainable practices in the field. This course teaches advanced topics in modern timber construction to evaluate the cohesion and stability of timber load-bearing structures, and examine the building physics and design qualities of buildings using Timber, which can translate to career growth and increased opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Structural Engineer

Sustainable Building with Timber is a course that covers the basics and principles of Timber Construction. Structural Engineers will benefit from taking this course to learn about the structural capacity, fire safety and seismic resistance of Timber so that it can be applied to their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Construction Manager

Construction Managers who take the Sustainable Building with Timber course will learn how to use timber for sustainable building and how to assess the environmental impact and carbon footprint of timber constructions. This course will help Construction Managers to understand how to build more sustainable buildings and reduce their environmental impact.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Environmental Consultant

Sustainable Building with Timber may be a useful course for Environmental Consultants to take. The course provides an overview of the environmental impact of building with timber and how to assess the carbon footprint of timber constructions. This knowledge can be useful for Environmental Consultants who work with clients in the construction industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Sustainability Manager

The course Sustainable Building with Timber would be useful for Sustainability Managers who currently work, or are interested in working in the building industry. This course will help teach Sustainability Managers the basics of sustainable building with timber and how to incorporate it into their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Civil Engineer

Sustainable Building with Timber may be a useful course for Civil Engineers to take if they are interested in working in the construction industry. This course provides an overview of the basics and principles of timber construction, which can be useful for Civil Engineers who want to learn more about this topic.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Building Inspector

Sustainable Building with Timber can be a helpful course for Building Inspectors to take. It teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Building Inspector

Project Manager

Sustainable Building with Timber offers applicable knowledge for a Project Manager in the construction industry. The course teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Forester

Sustainable Building with Timber may be useful for Foresters. This course teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions, which can be applied to forestry practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forester

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects may benefit from taking Sustainable Building with Timber. This course teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber construction. This knowledge can be applied to landscaping projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Urban Planner

Sustainable Building with Timber can be a helpful course for Urban Planners. It teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Real Estate Developer

Taking Sustainable Building with Timber can provide Real Estate Developers with valuable knowledge. It teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions, which is important knowledge for those involved in real estate development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Real Estate Developer

Construction Worker

For Construction Workers who want to advance their career or specialize in sustainable building practices, taking Sustainable Building with Timber can be beneficial. It teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber constructions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Worker

Carpenter

Sustainable Building with Timber can be a helpful course for Carpenters. This course teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber construction, which can improve carpentry projects and increase knowledge of sustainable building.

See salaries and explore the career path for Carpenter

Roofer

Sustainable Building with Timber may be a useful course for Roofers who are interested in improving their knowledge of sustainable building practices. This course teaches sustainable building practices and how to assess the environmental impact of timber construction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Roofer