PEFC Launches Tomorrow’s Timber CPD Course in APAC to Propel Sustainable Architecture with the Singapore Green Building Council

27 March 2025 Sustainable construction

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Asia-Pacific version of the Tomorrow's Timber Talk as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Course in the region.

This initiative, in collaboration with the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), aims to educate architects, builders, and construction professionals on the benefits of using certified timber for construction.

The CPD course, previously successful in the Netherlands and the UK, will now be accessible on demand through the SGBC website. Interested practitioners outside of Singapore can obtain CPD points and should contact their respective building councils or architect institutes on the accreditation process.

The course will be delivered by sustainable architecture expert Pablo van der Lugt who holds a Masters in Building Engineering and Architecture, and a PhD in Sustainable Building Materials from the Delft University of Technology.

Dr van der Lugt is the author of five influential books on bio-based construction, including "Tomorrow's Timber" (2020) and "Booming Bamboo" (2024), published by MaterialDistrict.

Promoting sustainable building practices within the construction industry by fostering a higher adoption rate of certified wood products, the course will remain accessible for two years, enabling participants to engage at their own pace.

Topics covered in this CPD course include:

• Developments in mass timber and offsite manufacturing
• Why timber buildings are good for our health and wellbeing
• Why timber is the ideal material for a circular economy
• Why timber is an alternative to carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete
• The principles of bio-based construction
• Applications for the latest generation of engineered timber products
• Why specifying certified timber matters
• The future built environment: why we need a timber construction revolution

“Launching Tomorrow’s Timber in Singapore reflects the growing importance of sustainable construction in the APAC region," said Wikkie Netten, Marketing Manager PEFC Asia-Pacific at the launch.

"PEFC certified timber aligns with Asia’s rapid urbanisation needs while addressing carbon reduction goals. This event empowers architects to champion sustainable building practices that meet the region’s demand for growth without compromising environmental integrity.”

Enhanced understanding of timber construction using certified wood will foster a culture of promoting sustainable forest management tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the APAC region.

Take the course here: Tomorrow’s Timber Talk

Contact Information

For media inquiries, please contact: wikkie.netten@pefc.org