The interior of one of the Haven Home Safe (HHS) project houses in Horsham, Victoria.
The urgent need for social and affordable housing in Australia is undeniable. The global call for responsible sourcing and source disclosure is equally pressing, driven by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Source: Timberbiz
These two critical challenges intersect in the innovative use of timber construction, a topic explored in depth at the recent WoodSolutions webinar, “Innovative Timber Construction Solutions for Social and Affordable Housing.”
Responsible Wood was proud to be a part of this important conversation with our Sustainability Manager, Matt de Jongh, who contributed expertise on responsible procurement and certification’s role in contributing to ESG.
The webinar showcased the Haven Home Safe (HHS) project in Horsham, Victoria, a 25-home development built using modular, carbon-storing, and low embodied emission timber construction. This project is a great example of how combining prefabricated de-sign, responsible sourcing, and energy-efficient solutions can deliver impactful housing outcomes that address social needs and environmental responsibility.
The webinar also offered valuable insights for the building professionals, architects, engineers, developers, and builders in attendance. Participants gained insights into how modular timber construction can accelerate project timelines while also lowering car-bon footprints and minimising construction waste. Attendees were provided practical strategies for integrating prefabricated design to achieve impressive seven-star NatHERS energy ratings.
A key focus of the discussion was the role of certified wood procurement in aligning with ESG principles. Matt de Jongh highlighted Responsible Wood’s commitment to ensuring that timber used in projects like the HHS development comes from sustainably managed forests. Matt emphasised the benefits of choosing certified timber, including its positive biodiversity impacts. In addition, Matt spoke to the advantages of supporting local communities and timber product manufacturing, emphasising the positive environmental and social impacts this has on communities.
The Horsham project’s carbon emissions study, presented by Jack Haber from HHS, demonstrated the clear advantages of using timber framing for this project, over alternative materials like steel and concrete. This data underscores the potential of timber construction to contribute significantly to reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint.
Craig Chatman from ARKit further explored the importance of offsite prefabrication in delivering high-quality housing solutions efficiently, particularly for organisations like HHS.
The webinar topics broadly highlighted the interconnectedness of ESG issues. Social responsibility is addressed through the provision of much-needed affordable housing. Environmental sustainability is achieved through the use of renewable, carbon-storing timber and energy-efficient designs. Good governance is ensured by adhering to re-sponsible sourcing practices and transparent reporting.
The use of certified timber, as championed by Responsible Wood, is essential for realising the full potential of sustainable construction. It provides assurance that the wood used in these projects is sourced from forests managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic criteria. This commitment to responsible forestry practices is a key component of a truly sustainable built environment.
For more information about Responsible Wood certification and its role in sustainable construction, please contact Responsible Wood. You can also access resources from the WoodSolutions webinar, including technical guides, webinars, and the Timber Talks podcast, by visiting their website.
View modular timber construction solutions for affordable housing in Australia at:
