Timber & Taste: key takeaways from our Glasgow panel event
Russwood and Lunawood welcomed architects, designers and timber specialists to Timber & Taste, an evening of expert discussion, cultural insight and whisky sampling at Material Source Glasgow. Our panellists explored how sustainably sourced and thermally modified timbers can support Scotland’s transition to low-carbon design.
An evening full of expert insight
Following a warm welcome and a light-hearted timber quiz, moderator Matt Bridgestock of John Gilbert Architects introduced our speakers:
- Matias Laaksonen, Design & Product Manager, Lunawood
- Hugo Taillandier, Associate Impact Manager, Built Environment – Smarter Transformation
- Chris Stewart, Architect and former Founding Director, Collective Architecture
- Taylor Butler, Architectural Liaison Technician, Russwood
Following this was a lively and honest conversation, with each speaker bringing their own perspective from architecture, manufacturing, research and specification.
Timber, culture and place
Chris began by reflecting on Scotland’s architectural identity. He observed that Scotland is traditionally associated with stone even though timber has always played a role in its built environment. He spoke about the ongoing challenge of shifting public and client perception around timber cladding.
Offering a Finnish perspective, Matias explained:
“In Finland, our whole culture is full of timber. When you put all the Finnish forests together, it’s the same size as the UK, so we have a lot of forests. Timber has always been there, and it’s part of Finnish identity.”
He described the strong collaboration between Finland’s forest industry and architectural community, spanning CLT, LVL and thermally modified timber.
Hugo added insight into why people connect so instinctively with wood:
“We are all attracted to nature, forests, trees, water, mountains. Timber has this effortless beauty, it makes you feel good.”
He described how timber affects the feel of a space, from the warmth of natural surfaces to the way sunlight moves across the material.
Technical discussion: from forest to façade
The panel then moved into several technical themes surrounding how timber performs in real projects.
Timber’s material qualities
Matias discussed the long growth cycle of Finnish pine and spruce, which typically grow for 80 to 100 years. This creates a stable, consistent and certified raw material for timber products. Matt contrasted this with Scotland’s faster-growing species, which offer different opportunities but can also pose challenges with grading and exposure.
Biophilic and wellbeing benefits
Chris reflected on how timber interiors feel warm, calming and comfortable, creating a sense of ease that people respond to instinctively. Matias noted that this is supported by research, with studies showing positive effects on mood and stress levels:
“When you are surrounded by wood, you feel more stress free.”
Overall, the panel agreed that timber’s biophilic qualities extend far beyond aesthetics. They contribute to healthier, more enjoyable spaces for people to inhibit.
Weathering, detailing and stability of timber
Taylor shared practical advice on working with both natural and modified timbers:
“Modified timbers bring a lot to the table. They are very stable and they weather quickly if that is the look you want. They are also well suited to current design trends like narrow boards or large fins.”
She highlighted the importance of ventilation, good fixings and considered detailing to ensure long-term performance.
“Ventilation is the most important thing. We do not want water sitting on the boards. Even small changes like angling the ends to create a drip point can help water move away.”
Fire performance of timber cladding
Matias outlined Lunawood’s work in developing fire-protected solutions that meet UK regulations and allow thermally modified timber to be used safely in a wide range of applications.
Meanwhile, Taylor discussed Russwood’s Burnblock® offering, a non-toxic fire retardant that is impregnated into the timber to enhance its performance without altering its appearance. She clarified how timber responds to fire:
“Timber behaves predictably in fire. It chars. The only way to improve performance is through fire retardant. Charred finishes do not increase resistance.”
What does the future hold?
Hugo discussed the need to scale up offsite construction in Scotland and the skills required to support that shift.
“There is a lot of change coming. Scotland already uses a lot of timber frame but there is much more we can do with new technologies and offsite construction.”
We let the audience ask our panel any questions they had, some of which covered the potential of mass timber in care homes and schools. The panel were also asked how thermally modified species cope in wet climates and how designers can ensure long-lasting installations.
Matias explained that the thermal modification process closes the cell structure, which improves stability and helps timber cope with moisture. Taylor added that modified timbers generally perform extremely well in challenging Scottish conditions when detailed correctly.
The discussion highlighted a shared optimism about what timber can offer, as well as a recognition that good design and careful detailing will be key to uncovering its full potential.
Whisky, networking and community
The evening concluded with a relaxed whisky sampling featuring both Scottish and Finnish drams, paired with charcuterie boards. Guests compared notes from the discussion, shared project experiences and enjoyed some informal networking in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Thank you
A heartfelt thank you to our panellists, guests and the teams behind the scenes for making Timber & Taste a memorable event. Bringing together designers, manufacturers and researchers helps drive progress towards a more sustainable built environment.
We can’t wait for the next one.
Highlights Gallery
