BSW Timber is proud to have supplied UK grown C16 structural timber into MAKAR’s recently assembled affordable home prototype in Inverness.
The project illustrates how UK-grown C16 timber can support high quality, low carbon construction, and it reinforces the value of using domestic material in modern manufacturing. This C16 timber forms the core structural element of the building and supports MAKAR’s long established commitment to Scottish materials and healthy, high-performance homes.
MAKAR specialises in bringing beautifully designed, healthy homes to life, including through the creation of affordable solutions. Since 2002, the company has delivered more than 250 innovative ecological buildings and timber rich homes, using locally sourced Scottish timber and other natural materials. The new prototype home incorporates a hygroscopic breathing wall system that avoids the risks of damp and mould, delivering low heating costs modelled at £5-£7 per week. The project also draws on 27 rural supply chain partners, demonstrating the broad economic contribution of working with natural materials and local forestry.
UK grown C16, played a significant role in supporting both the cost efficiency and carbon performance of the project, avoiding the financial and environmental impacts associated with long distance transport and international supply chains.
The use of C16 also provided a reliable and well understood structural solution that performs consistently within precision manufacturing, helping to reduce waste and improve material efficiency.
By specifying UK C16, MAKAR also directly supported the growth of the national forestry and timber processing sector, strengthening rural economies, creating skilled employment and retaining value within the UK.
Steven Cairns, Scotland Area Sales Manager, at BSW Timber, said: “It was fantastic to be involved in the supply of the exciting MAKAR prototype, we were thrilled to be able to supply this C16 used in the build and the project serves as an excellent example of the versatility and benefits of using timber grown and sawn right here in Scotland.”
Despite challenging winter conditions during the build, the home was assembled to wind and watertight stage within one week, with all wall panels installed within hours on the first morning and the full external envelope completed by the end of the week. This showcases the capability of modern methods of construction (MMC) to deliver homes more quickly, more safely and with greater predictability, while maintaining exacting quality standards. It also demonstrates how UK grown C16 performs consistently within off site systems where accuracy, reliability and material optimisation are essential.
An independent organisation will monitor the home for 15 months to assess energy usage and validate anticipated heating costs through two winters. This data will further strengthen understanding of the contribution that natural materials and UK grown timber can make to delivering durable, efficient and genuinely affordable homes at scale.
Scott Reid, Head of Design, MAKAR, said: “We are delighted BSW have supplied C16 structural timber for this prototype home. With this project we are demonstrating it is possible to deliver affordable and sustainable homes, using homegrown timber. With careful specification, selection and detailing, we can cut out harmful and unnecessary chemicals in construction and eliminate any risk of damp and mould. This is the future of low carbon, low-cost, high-quality homes in the UK.”
The project closely aligns with the aims of the Trust UK C16 campaign, which BSW Timber supports alongside James Jones and Sons, Glennon Brothers, Confor and Timber Development UK, with additional backing from the Minister for Nature Mary Creagh.
The nationwide campaign sets out a shared ambition to grow the UK’s productive woodland resource, strengthen domestic manufacturing capability, increase the specification of UK C16 in place of higher carbon materials, and expand the use of timber in construction to support sustainable economic growth and rural employment. Together these priorities seek to build confidence in UK grown structural C16 timber and to highlight its key role in delivering a resilient, low carbon construction sector.
The MAKAR prototype is a clear demonstration of these principles in action, and it underscores the growing potential of UK C16 timber in modern housebuilding.
Further information on the Trust UK C16 campaign can be found at: Trust UK C16 Timber – Confederation of Timber Industries
