There’s a question I get asked a lot: Why timber? And my answer is always the same… because it’s the future. Not just for Bywater, but for the UK’s housing sector as a whole.
We’re facing a housing crisis that demands urgency and scale. The Government’s target of 1.5 million homes in five years is ambitious, and rightly so. But if we’re going to meet it, we need to rethink how we build. That’s where timber comes in, not as a trend, but as a transformative solution.
At Bywater, we’ve spent years exploring how to build better. Our journey started with Paradise in Lambeth, a timber-led office development that set a new benchmark for low-carbon construction, just 413kg CO₂e per square metre, compared to the industry’s best practice of 1,000kg. That project wasn’t just about numbers; it was about proving what’s possible.
Now, we’re bringing that same mindset to homes. Our living strategy is focused on delivering multifamily, single-family, and studio build-to-rent homes across the UK, with timber at the heart of the design. These aren’t cookie-cutter units, they’re homes built on a human scale, with energy efficiency, green spaces and community wellbeing baked in from the start.
Take Kingston for example. We’re preparing to launch a timber-led multi-family BTR scheme with around 150 homes, aiming for completion in 2028. It’s a bold move, but it’s exactly the kind of project the UK needs right now.
Our ambition goes beyond individual sites. We want to be a regenerative developer, one that leaves places better than we found them. That means reusing existing structures, reducing waste and cutting carbon wherever we can. It also means pushing boundaries: working with regulators, insurers and contractors to unlock the potential of mid-rise and eventually, high-rise timber buildings.
Our partnership with Sumitomo Forestry is a big part of that vision. They’ve been building sustainably since 1691 and their global experience, tens of thousands of homes delivered annually, and 18,000 more in development, gives us the confidence and capability to scale timber housing in the UK.
Together, we’re not just building homes. We’re reshaping the construction industry. We’re educating suppliers, influencing policy, and showing that timber isn’t just viable, it’s essential. That’s why we’re proud to support the Government’s Timber in Construction Roadmap 2025 as it aligns perfectly with our mission.
The UK needs homes. It needs them fast, and it needs them to be sustainable. Timber offers a clear path forward and at Bywater, we’re ready to lead the way.
