ReefCycle’s Post

The book 'Fluid Soils. (Co)Designing for the Wadden Sea Landscapes' is out! Congratulations to all students, mentors and local stakeholders: Zhaolei Li, Xinjian Jiang, Anna G., Hanneke Wander, Heather Wong, Joca Jansen, Stephan Smeijers, @Mark Voorendt, Peter Herman, @Diego Andres Sepulveda Carmona, @Bram van Prooijen, @Luisa Calabrese, Wetterskip Fryslân, Provincie Fryslân, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft.   Abstract: The relationship between soil and water is at the center of interest now more than ever. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary environmental value and beauty, the Wadden Sea, its territories, and its people now face an uncertain future while wrestling with latent climatic, economic-productive, and social crises. Subsidence increased by gas extraction and peat oxidation, soil erosion, saltwater intrusion, eutrophication, and agricultural water pollution testify to a territory in the throes of long-term repossession by the sea. Can we (co)design the Wadden Sea landscapes? How can we transform these emergencies into opportunities? Based upon applied research work in regional scenario-making and local design projects, the book attempts to imagine the present and future of the Wadden Sea and its hinterland adopting (co)designing approaches. Peatlands, agriculture, energy, and heritage all intersect to encourage economies and social inclusion projects where the landscapes of soil and water become the driving force to overcome the crises. Cipriani, L. (ed.) (2024) Fluid Soils: (Co)Designing for the Wadden Sea Landscapes. Delft, TU Delft OPEN. Download at: https://lnkd.in/d-mU23z8

[INTERESTING READ]   🤔 “We need to chop trees down” to prevent climate crisis!   🌲🌳 The carbon emissions generated by concrete and steel construction are well-known. Why then are we not using more carbon-friendly building materials? In a passionate and compelling argument, our colleague Paul Brannen advocates the use of timber in buildings wherever possible. His controversial and counterintuitive argument is clear: planting trees is not enough to reduce carbon, we also have to chop them down and use more wood in our buildings and cities. 🌲🌳This is the first book to take timber from the margins to the mainstream, from the forests to the cities. The book tackles head-on questions about sustainability, safety, the biodiversity of commercial forests and the pressures on land use. The case for timber as a construction material is persuasively made – the creation of new engineered timbers with the structural strength of steel and concrete enable us for the first time to build wooden skyscrapers – and draws on the latest developments in engineering and material science. In addition to the familiar forestry models, the book advocates alternatives such as wood farming and agroforestry that bring with them added biodiversity gains for farms. 🌲🌳With the built environment currently responsible for 40 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, Paul's message is unequivocal: we must change how we build. Timber! offers fresh and inventive ideas that over time could see our expanding cities storing more carbon than our expanding forests. 📅 The book will be out in just a month! 👉 For preorders: https://lnkd.in/e8Tvk9dT

As a young energy engineer, I can provide 100+1 reasons why it is crucial to decarbonise our energy systems. However, in the pursuit of this goal on a densely populated continent like Europe, we witness an ever-increasing competition for land among multiple stakeholders, such as the energy sector, farmers, other local residents and so on. Why? On one hand, we are using more and more electricity, and popular technologies like wind turbines and solar panels require more space than traditional power plants to contribute to meeting the demands. On the other hand, growing crops is just as important as the quality of life of locals (people and nature). Therefore, the multifunctional use of space is also crucial. How can we design and construct multifunctional photovoltaic (PV) systems in a way that aligns with the preferences of local communities? Regardless of the type of the project, at a large scale, it will impact landscape quality and likely raise concerns among locals and other stakeholders. The recent publication below offers a comprehensive examination of landscape quality factors by assessing the impact of two agrivoltaic (APV) systems and provides recommendations on how to realize landscape-inclusive APVs. Enjoy! Hearty congratulations to my wife, the main author, Kitti Biró-Varga, and her supervisors Igor Sirnik and Prof. Sven Stremke at Wageningen University & Research!

Our Forest Product Technician Adam Faircloth has embarked on an international study tour to expand his knowledge of vibration and acoustics for mass timber structures. The study tour is part of a Gottstein Trust Fellowship, awarded to people in the timber/forestry sector for generating worldwide knowledge to support Australia’s local timber industry. “My trip is linked to my ongoing research with DAF, and my PhD through Griffith University, into vibration and acoustics for mass timber structures,” Adam said. “It spans 11 countries over 50 days, where I’ll meet with over 20 different companies, universities, institutes and individuals to get insight into their design strategies and approaches for managing occupant comfort in mass timber structures. Adam says the tour provides a unique opportunity to capture differences between continents. “For example, how the Americas, Europe and Asia differ in their challenges and societal impacts on the design process. “I think there’s a coming resurgence for the forest and timber sector globally. “The benefits of using timber are being realised at a greater scale with reductions in labour and construction costs, as well as the environmental benefits and the positive influence it can have on global warming.” #PeopleofDAF #timber #forestry #acoustics #research #globalwarming

🪵 Timber Durability Showcase Wins Aussie Industry Approval 🔬‘Ask and challenge the researchers’—a call to action for the timber industry at the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life’s fourth showcase. 🔍 Key Insights: 1️⃣ Cutting-Edge Research: The latest developments and research projects at the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life in Brisbane were presented at the centre’s fourth showcase. Eighteen presentations were given by the centre’s staff, students, and critical research partners, including the University of Queensland and Q-DAF. 2️⃣ Industry Collaboration: Director Professor Tripti Singh shared her vision of fostering collaborative and impactful research to address critical challenges in timber durability. “To foster collaborative and impactful research and address key challenges where timber is celebrated for its durability, versatility, and contribution to a greener future,” she said. 3️⃣ Engaging Discussions: The showcase featured 75 distinguished guests—50 visiting in person and 25 participating online. Topics included moisture and decay performance, the effects of climate change on timber, the treatability of Australian softwood timber resources, and service life prediction models. Updates on the National Timber Circular Economy Project were also presented. 🚨 Industry Engagement: Dr Chris Lafferty, R&D manager at Forest and Wood Products Australia, encouraged attendees to engage directly with researchers and seek answers. “Ask and challenge researchers … and seek answers without leaving any inquiries unresolved,” he urged. 🌟 Commitment to Research: Professor Ross Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Development at the University of the Sunshine Coast, highlighted UniSC’s commitment to forestry research and congratulated the Durability Centre on its nationwide research and development activities. 🔗 Explore the comprehensive analysis of the Timber Durability Showcase and its impact on the timber industry: https://lnkd.in/gxS38y9r 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can collaborative research initiatives like the National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life drive innovation and sustainability in the timber industry? Share your thoughts on the importance of industry-academia partnerships. 💬 Join the conversation on the future of timber durability and the role of research in advancing sustainable building materials. WoodSolutions Advance Timber Hub #timberdurability #sustainableconstruction #researchinnovation #woodcentral #woodcentralau1 #treatments #durability #woodsolutions #forestryresearch #collaborativeresearch #timberindustry #climatechange #circulareconomy #constructioninnovation

Technology isn't just changing the world; it's reshaping how we think, connect, and create. With each innovation, we're challenged to adapt, evolve, and reimagine what's possible. Let's embrace this era of change with curiosity and courage, leveraging technology to foster new perspectives, drive meaningful progress, and shape a future where inclusivity and innovation go hand in hand. Are you ready to embrace the future? #TechTransformation #startups #founders #tech #InnovativeThinking #futureforward

This first post in the "Central European Innovations in Industrialized Wood-Based Construction" Exchange series looks at the dominance of a single tree species used for industrialized wood-based construction in most of Central Europe, which is Norway Spruce. The dominance of N. spruce has both positive and negative outcomes, stemming from the same factors: a) the consistency and prevalence of this species means that: * the input for the manufacturing machinery is uniform * the behavior of the product is predictable * its continual use improves with time and with more orders * there is a wealth of accumulated knowledge on the species * economies of scale have been achieved  * a broad supportive ecosystem exists This is also a major difference compared to the US where there are many different species (Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Southern Yellow Pine etc.), which behave differently when put in building machinery, making a national, scaled, timber production line more challenging. b) this same consistency and prevalence unfortunately has negative sides: * mono culture forests lack resilience * as a cold-adapted species, N. Spruce is especially sensitive to climate change How will the Central European wood industry adapt, and what are the suitable alternative(s) to this major commercial species? Will Central Europe begin to plant other coniferous species like Doug fir or shift to deciduous species like oak or beech, or other currently underutilized species? Can this challenge be used for good, so it makes the forest more resilient, helping to diversify and sustain a wider number of species? Ivan Rupnik Ryan E. Smith Tyler Schmetterer Todd Beyreuther Vikas Enti Lisa Podesto Christopher Fox, AIA, NCARB, CAPS Louise Rogers #Norwayspruce #diverseforests #treespecies #Douglasfir #industrializedwoodbasedconstruction #offsiteconstruction #forests #adaptation #coldadaptedspecies #coniferous #deciduous

Explore the dynamic interplay between ecology and economics in our latest blog, "Balancing Ecology and Economics: Budgeting for Sustainable Construction Practices." Dive into practical strategies for harmonizing environmental responsibility with financial efficiency in the realm of construction. Discover how thoughtful budgeting can pave the way for eco-friendly construction practices that benefit both the planet and your bottom line. #SustainableConstruction #EcoFriendlyBudgeting #GreenBuilding #ConstructionInsights

Integrating nature into our built environment has VERY many benefits, and personally something I fully support. I am giving a webinar today looking at how concrete can be used to support this strategy. But its not all about we use our material, embodied biodiversity requires consideration too. Register here to get a link to attend this free webinar to find out more about what the credentials of the UK concrete industry and its supply chain, and the industries renewed focus for supporting the natural environment: Supporting biodiversity and nature using concrete

If you are interested in wood quality traits, eucalypts and Random forest modeling, check out our exploratory study! https://lnkd.in/eYFAXB9u This work was part of my PhD thesis: "Genetic and environmental controls of traits affecting profitability of pulp and solid-wood production from plantation-grown Eucalyptus nitens" https://lnkd.in/eXS-mr-S #woodquality #treeimprovement #randomforest #quantitativegenetics