Making informed design decisions; RIBA CPD from Buckland Timber

If you’ve worked with us before, you’ll know we spend a lot of time on the phone and in meetings discussing the same important glulam design and specification topics.

We address many of these common conversations in blogs and content, but we realised there was an opportunity to share this knowledge in a more structured way—through CPD training.

We recently became an RIBA-accredited CPD provider, so we thought we’d share more about what we cover in our CPD and whether it’s a good fit for you.

What does our CPD Cover?

Our CPD sessions are designed to give you practical, hands-on knowledge about working with glulam. We start with the fundamentals of cost-effective choices at the early design stage because we know these initial decisions can make or break a project’s success. We’ll guide you through timber species selection, helping you understand which options work best for different applications and why. Connection details are another crucial area we explore –often the tiny details that make the biggest difference to your project’s success.

We also look at durability and fire safety compliance, areas where we often see questions come up during projects. Perhaps most importantly, we’ll help you understand when glulam is the right choice for your project – and when it might not be. This honest approach helps ensure you make informed decisions that will serve your projects well in the long term.

While the RIBA-approved CPD content covers Best Practice of Working with Glulam and CLT, we can create bespoke training – some businesses like to combine this with a factory tour to get an in-person experience, too.

What does the RIBA-approved CPD cover?

If you want to specify more timber in your projects, this seminar is for you. It covers the best practices for working with glulam and CLT, including structural forms, connections, CNC machining, detailing for ease of installation, sourcing timber, including UK-grown, and common questions around fire, moisture, species, and finishes.

By the end of the seminar, delegates will:

• Understand how to specify glulam or CLT for a project.
• Have gained knowledge of available timber species for glulam and where/how to source sustainably.
• Know the benefits or limitations of different glulam structural forms.
• Be aware of the different types of connections available and how they impact structure and design.
• Be aware of how to detail designs according to best practices for fire and moisture.

Who benefits from CPD on glulam and CLT?

We’ve found our sessions valuable for professionals across the construction industry.

We regularly work with architectural practices that want to expand their understanding of timber design possibilities. Engineering firms want to know more about structural considerations and connection details. Contractors want to better understand install and handling requirements, while forestry industry professionals want to learn how their materials are transformed into structural elements.

We’ve even had university students attend our sessions, bringing fresh perspectives and challenging questions that keep us on our toes. This diverse mix of attendees often leads to fascinating discussions and knowledge sharing, which benefits everyone in the room.

Why book CPD for your business?

It isn’t just about ticking a box for your professional development requirements – though it certainly helps!

The real value is how it can transform your approach to future projects. When you understand the possibilities and limitations of glulam early in your design process, you can make more informed decisions right from the conceptual stage. This often leads to more cost-effective solutions and helps you avoid common specification pitfalls that can cause headaches later.

We’ve seen architects and engineers use knowledge from our sessions to create more buildable designs that consider maintenance and durability from the start. This proactive approach often saves time and money during construction and throughout the building’s lifecycle. It’s about giving you the knowledge to use glulam confidently and effectively in your projects.

How to book a session

Getting started is simple if you’d like to get your CPD sorted this year.

• If you are a member of RIBA, you can book through the RIBA CPD website here.
• If you have questions or would like something specific, drop the team a line here.

Whether you’re an architect looking to fulfil your CPD requirements or a contractor wanting to learn more about working with glulam, we’re here to help. Contact us, and we’ll arrange a session that works for you.

If you’d like to discuss CPD or have questions about working with glulam, do get in touch, and one of the team will be happy to help.