Industry Services
Industry Services
On 2 July 2026, timber-passionate built environment professionals gathered together for the UK Timber Design Conference. This year’s must-attend timber event explored how design, engineering and supply chain collaboration can accelerate timber construction — and how timber construction can, in turn, deliver the buildings the UK needs.
One Birdcage Walk, in the heart of Westminster, provided the prestigious timber-panelled venue. There, 200 attendees mingled among their peers, found out about new products from exhibitors and sponsors, and heard practical insights from panelists and presenters across the day.
Organised by Timber Development UK, the different sessions connected timber as a forest resource to its ingenious uses in products and buildings — sharpening engineers’ and architects’ knowledge to design better with wood. Delegates could pick different breakout CPDs and technical sessions to attend, and take deep dives into specialist timber topics.
A defining feature of the UK Timber Design Conference is its audience mix. Developers, local authorities, insurers, engineers, architects, contractors and manufacturers all shared the same space for a day — making the conference a valuable get-together for the entire supply chain.
The exhibitors’ gallery gave delegates the opportunity to engage directly with product manufacturers, systems suppliers and technical specialists. Networking sessions and closing drinks let everyone relax and strengthen connections formed during the day.
In his keynote speech, David Hopkins (CEO of TDUK) left us in no doubt that the world has now woken up to timber’s potential. And across the day, the conference always had one underlying focus: building better with wood. From forest to factory, from automation to reuse, it was clear that timber provides a way forward: truly a material for our time.
This year’s speakers did not shy away from the key issues — and opportunities — facing today’s construction sector. “Doing the right thing shouldn’t cost more than doing the wrong thing!” declared Jay Morton (architect at Bell Phillips and the incoming RIBA President), as she set out a manifesto of sorts for sustainable, cost-effective housing using timber and other biomaterials. High quality, low-carbon buildings shouldn’t cost more than cookie-cutter unsustainable ones.
It was a sentiment echoed by many of those present. We learned from innovators such as Natural Building Systems about how effectively timber frame and kit-of-parts systems can reduce risk and bring efficiency to builds. We heard architects like Mikhail Riches and White Arkitekter demonstrate how timber can deliver healthy, award-winning sustainable housing and medical projects. And those at the technological cutting-edge, such as robotics specialists AUAR and software engineers MiTek, showed how easily timber sits with new technology. “We are making the technology to make timber mainstream,” stated Gilles Retsin (Co-Founder, AUAR).
The conference made clear that, compared to many other industries, the timber sector is well ahead of the curve on the important changes the world is facing today. The day demonstrated that timber practitioners are early adopters in thinking and acting creatively — to build better all round.
The UK Timber Design Conference will return to London in July 2027, convening one of the largest audiences for timber construction in one place.
The 2026 event welcomed 200 attendees from more than 115 organisations: architects, engineers, manufacturers, contractors, developers and academics, with nearly 90% of attendees in senior or director-level roles. Consistently rated highly for its expert speakers and exceptional networking opportunities, the conference has become a key meeting place for professionals across the timber supply chain to build lasting industry relationships.
The conference will continue to provide opportunities for delegates to gain technical insights, build professional networks and engage with suppliers from across the timber sector. Further programme details will be announced shortly.
To make exhibitor or sponsorship enquiries, or to book first-release tickets, scan the QR code.
UK Timber Design Conference 2026 was proudly supported by Swedish Wood and PEFC UK.
