Apart from being an author of a widely read book on the design of timber structures and a founder of structural engineering software, Paolo Lavisci is also a Program Manager of WoodSolutions’ Resilient Timber Homes. Here, he talks about the organisation's sustainability aspirations and reveals why his date of birth makes him a natural climate optimist.
Paolo, tell us a little bit about your background, and your current role with WoodSolutions.
My experience with engineered wood products is two-fold and includes both hands-on and advisory roles in the design and construction of timber structures, as well as project management, research and product development, teaching, and training.
After completing a Forestry degree in Florence, Italy, and a PhD in Industrial Technologies, Wood at ENSTIB/Université de Nancy in France, I worked in the industry for seven years before starting an independent timber consulting and engineering practice. Since then, I have focused on areas such as the design and specification of multi-storey timber buildings, the development of new models for prefabricated homes and transportable units, and the design for cross-laminated timber (CLT) manufacturing plants. I must say, that regardless of the project type, my main objective has always been to help transform the mid-rise construction market and help pioneering developers, architects, designers, and specifiers take advantage of the efficiencies and cost savings that timber can generate.
Now, I continue this ambition through my work with WoodSolutions. I manage the Resilient Timber Homes Program, a novel initiative designed to provide a sustainable solution for the challenges caused by our rapidly changing climate. My goal with the program is to inspire, encourage, and enable industry professionals to design, develop, and build enduring dwellings using sustainable wood products that can help local communities work towards a more resilient future.
What does sustainability mean for you?
As a forester and wood engineer born on Earth Day, I’m an optimist, and have committed over 35 years of my professional activity to help improve our lives and environment by using more timber structures. Of course, things aren't perfect in the building and construction industry – yet! – but there are significant signs of improvement with more people joining the “timber club” every day. I believe it’s crucial to acknowledge and measure these positive results, and to provide sound evidence for those who are waiting for the right opportunity to start their first timber project.
How important is sustainability to your organisation?
WoodSolutions is a program that provides information and resources to promote the use of timber and wood products in construction, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Naturally, wood is a renewable resource that has a much lower carbon footprint compared to other building materials, and the use of sustainably sourced timber products in construction can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the energy efficiency of buildings, and support local economies.
Our program equips architecture and design professionals with information on the sustainable sourcing of timber and wood products, their environmental credentials, and their performance in different applications. That, in turn, enables them to make informed decisions that align with sustainable practices, and their environmental goals and aspirations. We also collaborate with government and industry bodies to deliver strategies and programs designed to grow the market for forest and wood products, increase productivity and profitability across the value chain, and ensure positive environmental and social outcomes.
We support research and development that promote internationally competitive and environmentally sustainable practices and undertake activities that enhance employment opportunities – and contribute to enhancing Australia’s reputation as an innovative producer of sustainable, high-quality forest and wood products.
What are the company’s current priorities from a sustainability point of view?
Our focus is to improve perceptions of forest and wood products, which is why we strive to produce key information about their economic, environmental and social advantages freely available to the architecture and design professionals. We want to increase opportunities and resources to educate the industry about the many innovative, sustainable and competitive wood products available in the market, encouraging them to use timber in their own design and building practices.
In addition, our goal is to promote the industry’s sustainability credentials, and lead its transition toward a circular economy. From our point of view, it’s crucial to bring attention to the end-of-life uses of timber products and educate the design and construction industry on the benefits of lower up-front carbon that wood products can provide.
