The embodied carbon of a building and the impact of a building’s structure has become more predominant in the discussion of the early design stage. Director Steve Webb outlines new ways to design carbon-friendly, fire-safe towers in the latest issue of The RIBA Journal.

Fire and loadings limit structural timber in towers but concrete is carbon heavy. But if we ditch timber and carry on building in concrete, brick and steel, the carbon footprint of the industry will roar on unabated. So what’s the answer? 

How about a hybrid? Steel framed timber hybrid buildings like PLP and AL_A’s Sky Central are becoming common for commercial spaces, but what else can we do? 

Read the full article at RIBA J.