Timber Built Classrooms Can Have a Positive Impact on Students

The latest edition of TRADA’s ‘In Touch With Timber’ magazine has a very interesting article about research that has gone into establishing the positive impact of children studying in a timber environment. We were particularly interested in the findings as we supply many of our Keops log cabins for classroom use. The use of timber in classrooms it seems has a positive impact on children’s stress levels and heart rate. You can read the article below;

Using wood as a construction material in school buildings can have a positive impact on students within a classroom, according to a new study.

The idea behind the SOS school project, the brainchild of Holzcluster Steiermark and various cluster partners, was to try to scientifically demonstrate the advantages of using timber within a classroom and its long-term benefits to students who study within them.

The project, which translates as School Without Stress, was successfully launched at a primary and secondary school in Haus im Ennstal. Floors, ceilings and walls of two chosen classrooms were entirely clad with wood. In addition, all pieces of furniture wre replaced with wooden furniture. For comparison, two other classrooms were equipped with conventional school interiors.

Both settings were tested for the period of one school year, using exactly defined processes and methods for both target groups – pupils and teachers.

The results, according to the researchers, were extremely encouraging. The wood interior definitely had a positive effect on the heart activity. The pupils were more relaxed at school, their hearts had to work less and they slept better.

Meanwhile, stress levels remained the same in pupils in the timber classroom but were elevated in pupils within the standard classroom, while concentration levels ere also higher in the timber classroom.

The study then, is proof of the efficacy of timber and its ability to help reduce stress levels and create healthy educational environments. Wood used in the construction of educational establishments can have long-term positive impact on the health of pupils – something that will reduce the risk of ‘burn out’ from both pupil and teacher.

Thanks to TRADA & ITWT magazine