Oregon design professionals views on structural building products in green buildings: implications for wood

• Published in: Canadian journal of forest research Vol. 41; no. 2; pp. 390 - 400
• Main Authors: Knowles, Chris, Theodoropoulos, Christine, Griffin, Corey, Allen, Jennifer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON National Research Council of Canada 01.02.2011; NRC Research Press; Canadian Science Publishing NRC Research Press
• Subjects: Architects; Architecture and energy conservation; Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Biological and medical sciences; Building codes; Building materials; Building materials industry; Civil engineers; Design and construction; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Environmental performance; Forecasts and trends; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Green buildings; Green design; Green development; Green market; Materials; Studies; Sustainable materials; Wood; Wood products; Oregon; United States; North America; America; United States > US; Green building; Wood; Professional; Building product; Forestry
• ISSN: 0045-5067; 1208-6037
• DOI: 10.1139/X10-209

Buildings have been shown to have impacts on the environment. Consequently, green building rating systems have become a tool to help reduce these impacts. The objectives of this study were to identify gaps in information and access to green building materials as viewed by Oregon design professionals. The scope was limited to the major structural materials: concrete, steel, and wood. This article focuses on the results unique to wood products. Information was collected through group interviews. Each group was composed of professionals representing different aspects of material selection and construction of different scales. The results showed that structural material selection is driven by building code, cost, and building performance requirements. The environmental performance of the material was not considered. However, once the material was selected, designers tried to maximize environmental performance. The results showed that green building rating systems do not influence structural material selection, and interviewees noted that there is room for improvement in this area. Respondents had a positive view of wood and a strong desire to use more wood, particularly Forest Stewardship Council certified wood. Wood was viewed as the most sustainable structural material available. However, there were some concerns about wood products, with formaldehyde emissions being the most significant.