Architects' perception of selected bio-based building materials in France and Gabon

As a part of a larger research project that examined bio-based building materials that are underutilized in the construction of non-residential buildings, the presented mail survey was conducted in France and Gabon to determine how architects specify selected bio-based building materials. This study provides a preliminary assessment of the potential segments of architects in practice based on their attitudes to the use of wood in non-residential construction. France Among the most wooded countries, Russia ranks first (809 million hectares), then, Brazil (478 million hectares), Canada (310 million hectares), the United States (303 million hectares) ... In Europe, France occupies the fourth place-behind Sweden, Finland and Spain-with its 18 million hectares. It is a little less than 30% of the French territory. The French forest is very diverse, with 136 different species of trees. The area of French hardwood forests is 11.2 million hectares, or 71.2% of the forest. Private forest is dominated mainly by oaks, which occupy about 5 million hectares. Chestnut and poplar are specific species of the private forest. A little more than 4.4 million hectares are made up of coniferous forests with a great diversity of species: maritime pine, Scots pine, fir, spruce, Douglas-fir... The French forest employs 440,000 people, more than the automobile industry. It has a turnover of 60 billion euros per year, or nearly 3% of PIB (Produit Interieur Brut or GDP I think). The sector includes operators, sawmills, pulp mills, panel and furniture manufacturers, and firewood. A large part of the French forest is private: 3.3 million owners share it. Gabon In Central Africa and particularly in equatorial region, the forest plays a key role in this regulation. In the year 2000, Gabon produced more than 4 million m3 timber, of which 72% was Aucoumea Klaineana Pierre (AKP). However, in 2004, only 1.6 million m3 was produced, of which 61% was AKP. This decrease in lumber production was due to a new regulations of exploitation of trees. In 2009, after the prohibition by the Gabonese government of the exportation of logs, more structures focalised on the study and the exploitation of wood were born. Since then, a particular attention is done on the mechanical characterization of some species which are usually used in timber structures. One of more those species is AKP which is an endemic specie in central Africa's forest which is a long time, associated at the life of locals. In the recent past, AKP represents 80% of annual wood's production in this country and 90% of this specie is exported all over the world and particularly in Europa and Asia. It is used largely for plywood in building, in veneer, finished or semi-finished products and in the design of the paper. Using the information obtained in this study will contribute to an understanding of the probability that bio-based building materials are chosen in residential and non-residential buildings and to an understanding of the drivers and barriers for increased use. Change is difficult – the barriers to wood are complex and the building industry is both averse to risk and slowed by inertia – but with the right focus, the wood industry can make a difference. The study is extended to selected European countries and the US, as well as to Central Africa. The study is extended to selected European countries and the US, as well as to Central Africa. The first results show that several architects in Gabon have not given response the survey due to the difficulty to have computer and excellent web connection. However, the obtained results are very interesting and promised. These results will help the architects to choose efficiently the wood product for civil engineering constructions.