UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY

Into the Woods: A Carbon Story [Part II]

Helping Underrepresented Architecture Students Become Leaders and Sustainable Forestry Advocates

Why this Project Matters

Many architecture students have a limited understanding of the environmental benefits of using forest-based building materials, which can lead them to choose more carbon-intensive building products for their design projects after graduation. This grant project is designed to foster understanding among architecture students about the climate-related benefits of choosing building materials from sustainably managed forests. The importance of understanding carbon generation and sequestration will also be emphasized.

How This Project Is Engaging Architecture Students to Understand the Benefits of Building with Sustainable Forest Products

The project is the continuation of an earlier SFI grant to the University of Miami School of Architecture—Into the Woods: A Carbon Story. This project allows architecture students access to the full range of forest products material processing, from well-managed forests full of standing timber through the creation of mass timber products in a regional manufacturing facility. The information gleaned by students, faculty, and professionals is directly applicable to the practice of architecture and is designed to increase the uptake of certified forest products.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), part of the Historically Black College or University category of schools, has a rich legacy and historic mission of educating African Americans and embracing all dimensions of diversity. The project will support underrepresented students of architecture attending FAMU through financial assistance so they can learn and experience the various phases of timber production and manufacturing. This will help prepare them to become sustainable forestry advocates and leaders within the architecture industry.

SFI’s Contribution

The SFI Community Grant Program is supporting this project. Students will also work in SFI-certified forests under the guidance of representatives of SFI-certified companies. SFI-certified products and the certification process will also be explored to help students better understand sustainability in construction and the importance of specifying certified wood building materials in future projects.

Partners

This partnership includes academics, design experts, and representatives from SFI-certified organizations.

• Project co-leads: University of Miami School of Architecture and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Sustainable Forestry Initiative
• Florida SFI Implementation Committee
• Florida Forestry Association

Related Information

University of Miami School of Architecture—Into the Woods: A Carbon Story

Michigan State University’s Forest Carbon and Climate Program—E-Learning Unit on Carbon and Climate Benefits in Well-Managed Forests

University of Idaho—Demonstrating Benefits of SFI-Certified Wood in a Mass Timber Arena

Mississippi Forest Foundation—Mississippi State University Architecture Students Gain Valuable Mass Timber Knowledge

SFI Green Buildings

About the University of Miami School of Architecture

The intrinsic philosophy of the University of Miami School of Architecture is to build a better world. This is expressed in a design program that is ideal and pragmatic, academic and practical, theoretical and actual. The school trains visionary practitioners who pursue architecture as a combination of civic art and building science. The school currently has more than 500 students, including 374 undergraduate students and 130 graduate students. There are about 60 full- and part-time faculty, plus a professional staff of 20, educating and supporting students. More than 50% of the school’s students participate in study-abroad programs based in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Learn more.

About Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Founded October 3, 1887, FAMU is a public, historically Black university located in Tallahassee, Florida. What distinguishes FAMU from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education with programs and services that guide students toward successfully achieving their dreams. FAMU is part of the State University System of Florida and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Learn more.