Connecting communities at WoodFest Reading

The programme features a collection of seminars, exhibitions and tours celebrating the versatility and sustainability of building with wood, organised by the UK timber industry’s campaign, Wood for Good.

For the next two weeks until 7 June, the University of Reading School of Architecture invites visitors to explore its pop-up structure, the ‘The Urban Room’. This is a second year architecture student project designed for discussion and debate about architecture in the built environment.

The Urban Room will also host a series of Wednesday and Friday lunchtime ‘encounters’ with Reading-based artists exploring their own practice in response to the Urban Room. On 7 June, Reading University will explore ‘hybrid practices’ through an arts-architecture lens, offering opportunities to move, discuss, think, experience and explore with guest artists and architects.

WoodFest Reading continues on 12 June with a tour of Vastern Timber, one of the largest British hardwood sawmills in the country. In addition to the tour, the day will include an insightful CPD talk delivered by managing director Tom Barnes, ‘Selecting Timber Cladding’, covering timber cladding choices, composites and modified wood. The day will wrap up with lunch and plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 3 July KISS house will host a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Making high quality housing attainable.’ Chaired by Christiane Lellig, campaign director for Wood for Good, the event will bring together a broad line-up of panellists from across the industry to discuss what quality housing is, why it is important and how to achieve it. Invited panellists include Jonny Anstead, TOWN, Sally Godber, WARM: Low Energy Buildings Practice, Ian Pritchett, Greencore Construction and Mike Jacob, KISS House.

The early evening will see a case study presentation of the RIBA East award-winning home, The Deerings. Delivered by the project team and the client, attendees will learn more about this striking and ambitious Passivhaus building, constructed from a super-insulated timber frame with recycled paper insulation.

Christiane Lellig said: “With a focus on housing and local communities, WoodFest Reading promises to offer a fantastic opportunity to bring all those involved with the built environment to explore what can be achieved when we work together.”

“Each event is a chance to learn and share about the use of timber in architecture, particularly around the social impact of housing and helping to connect local communities. It provides a platform to discover what’s happening in the region and to be inspired by timber design.”

Partners include: KISS house; RIBA South and South East; TRADA; The University of Reading School of Architecture; Vastern Timber.

Book your place at any of the WoodFest Reading events here.