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American Hardwood Export Council supports development of ‘green building codes’ in Bahrain.

 

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, has expressed its support for the development of a ‘green building code’ in Bahrain. The announcement coincides with the opening of ‘gulfBID’, the leading annual exhibition for the construction industry in the Northern Gulf, which opened today (April 24, 2012) at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). In addition to promoting the environmental credentials of U.S hardwoods at the exhibition, AHEC will also be hosting a seminar on ‘Designing and working with sustainable American hardwoods’ targeting interior designers, architects, importers and woodworking professionals in Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

At present, Bahrain is in the process of developing a green building plan for its future city and urban development projects, and the implementation of the proposed building law is expected to minimize electricity and water consumption across the country. The Bahrain Government’s goal to populate its cities with certified green buildings is based on its proven benefits, both environmental and economic, which include improved occupant health, comfort, productivity, reduced pollution and landfill waste, and lower operating costs over the life of the building. According to AHEC, wood is one of the very few materials that boast of environmental credentials that can help buildings comply with enforced ‘green building codes’ and gain accreditation from international green building programs.

“Sustainability, 'green' construction, and quality standards have all become important global issues within the design and construction sector, and the introduction of ‘green building codes’ is a positive move across the region. As the Middle East region makes significant strides in the global movement towards achieving sustainability, we remain committed to further promoting the environmental credentials of American hardwoods,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania. “Through our participation at gulfBID, we hope to draw the attention of the wood processing industry in Bahrain towards American hardwoods by highlighting the advantages of using the same in all forms of joinery as well as for the manufacturing of flooring and furniture.”

Set to take place on the second day of the exhibition, the seminar will revolve around educating attendees about the wide variety of American hardwood species as well as their important environmental credentials and their importance in sustainable design. Rod Wiles will provide in-depth information on the US hardwood forest and the United States’ long history of good forest governance. He will also talk about the variety and commercial availability of American hardwood species and the potential they offer for design and end use in the Middle East. Moreover, an update on the ongoing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on U.S hardwoods will also be shared at the exhibition and seminar.

“In addition to the aesthetic quality and performance in application of U.S. hardwoods, it is crucial that we ensure its environmental credentials are properly understood and fully represented in the face of increasing green building legislation. Not only will the LCA study provide the science behind the low carbon footprint of American hardwoods, but it will also lead to the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), for U.S. hardwood products. These will allow architects and specifiers to select the material on the basis of full environmental disclosure,” concluded Wiles.

The American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, has expressed its support for the development of a ‘green building code’ in Bahrain. The announcement coincides with the opening of ‘gulfBID’, the leading annual exhibition for the construction industry in the Northern Gulf, which opened today (April 24, 2012) at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). In addition to promoting the environmental credentials of U.S hardwoods at the exhibition, AHEC will also be hosting a seminar on ‘Designing and working with sustainable American hardwoods’ targeting interior designers, architects, importers and woodworking professionals in Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

At present, Bahrain is in the process of developing a green building plan for its future city and urban development projects, and the implementation of the proposed building law is expected to minimize electricity and water consumption across the country. The Bahrain Government’s goal to populate its cities with certified green buildings is based on its proven benefits, both environmental and economic, which include improved occupant health, comfort, productivity, reduced pollution and landfill waste, and lower operating costs over the life of the building. According to AHEC, wood is one of the very few materials that boast of environmental credentials that can help buildings comply with enforced ‘green building codes’ and gain accreditation from international green building programs.

“Sustainability, 'green' construction, and quality standards have all become important global issues within the design and construction sector, and the introduction of ‘green building codes’ is a positive move across the region. As the Middle East region makes significant strides in the global movement towards achieving sustainability, we remain committed to further promoting the environmental credentials of American hardwoods,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania. “Through our participation at gulfBID, we hope to draw the attention of the wood processing industry in Bahrain towards American hardwoods by highlighting the advantages of using the same in all forms of joinery as well as for the manufacturing of flooring and furniture.”

Set to take place on the second day of the exhibition, the seminar will revolve around educating attendees about the wide variety of American hardwood species as well as their important environmental credentials and their importance in sustainable design. Rod Wiles will provide in-depth information on the US hardwood forest and the United States’ long history of good forest governance. He will also talk about the variety and commercial availability of American hardwood species and the potential they offer for design and end use in the Middle East. Moreover, an update on the ongoing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) on U.S hardwoods will also be shared at the exhibition and seminar.

“In addition to the aesthetic quality and performance in application of U.S. hardwoods, it is crucial that we ensure its environmental credentials are properly understood and fully represented in the face of increasing green building legislation. Not only will the LCA study provide the science behind the low carbon footprint of American hardwoods, but it will also lead to the development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), for U.S. hardwood products. These will allow architects and specifiers to select the material on the basis of full environmental disclosure,” concluded Wiles.