Abodo® Presents / Material Matters: How Biobased Strategies Can Drive Low-Carbon Design (ANZ, ROW)

Abodo® Presents / Material Matters: How Biobased Strategies Can Drive Low-Carbon Design

Wednesday 15th April 12pm - 1pm (NZST) and AU 10am - 11am (AEST) / Tuesday, 14th April 2026 @ 8pm (EDT) / 5pm (PDT)

Synopsis: In this webinar, Jakob Strømann-Andersen, Innovation and Sustainability Director at Henning Larsen will explore the critical role of material selection in achieving low-carbon architecture. Participants will learn how to evaluate construction systems through early‑phase life‑cycle assessments to understand their CO₂ impact across a building's entire life cycle.

The talk examines timber and wood-based construction as both a low-carbon material choice and a design driver that shapes architectural expression, structural strategies, spans, grids, and spatial character. Attendees will gain insight into aligning material strategies with national and international climate goals, understanding how materials serve as a key lever for meeting quantified CO₂‑reduction targets and carbon budgets through data-driven, policy-aligned decision‑making.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Ability to explain how material choices influence whole‑life carbon performance.
• Understand how timber and wood-based construction influence architectural form, structure, and design logic.
• Connect material innovation to climate targets and regulatory ambitions.

The session will be hosted by MC Janelle Wynyard, Q+A will follow with Daniel Gudsell, Abodo's Managing Director + Founder. For over 20 years, Daniel Gudsell has led a movement toward sustainable innovation and driving the development of rapidly renewable timber solutions.

Speaker’s BIO:

Jakob Strømann Andersen | Director - Innovation and Sustainability | Henning Larsen. Jakob’s work around the interaction between engineering, architecture, and modern technology, focusing on how integrated design can form the basis of healthy cities and buildings. Jakob has extensive international experience on projects prioritizing intercultural design, climate adaptation, and sustainability, and works closely with Danish authorities to develop new building regulations. Through studies of healthy materials, circular economy, wind simulations, and microclimates, Jakob drives data-informed design to incorporate bio-based materials, CO2 reduction, nature inclusivity, and biodiversity in Henning Larsen projects. Examples include Fælledby, designed to be Copenhagen's first all-timber neighborhood, and a logistics hub for BESTSELLER in the Netherlands, designed to be the largest timber logistics center in Europe embracing biogenic materials. Feldballe School in Denmark and the World of Volvo Experience Center in Sweden are other examples of Henning Larsen projects where the integration of ancient, biobased building materials – such as straw, seagrass, and wood – with a modern twist has earned the studio recognition as one of the most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company.

Jakob manages the unique Industrial PhD program at Henning Larsen, which co-hosts PhD candidates from co-sponsoring institutions in various R&D projects based on different Henning Larsen case studies. Topics include integrated acoustics simulations, lighting design in learning environments, design for disassembly of facades, and anthropological studies focusing on knowledge dissemination in shared spaces.

Daniel Gudsell | Founding Director | Abodo Wood is the founding Director of the New Zealand-based and family-owned company; Abodo Wood. In an industry where many exterior timbers are harvested from unsustainable old growth forests, for over 20 years Daniel has led a movement toward sustainable innovation, crafting feature timbers that are beautiful, high performing and protect forests that are irreplaceable.

Janelle Wynyard | UK Specification and Education | Abodo Wood is a creative entrepreneur and industry connector with over 20 years’ experience across architecture and design. She works with Abodo Wood to develop educational content for architects and support the growth of sustainable timber specification in the UK. Janelle is also the founder of Teulo, a leading CPD platform, where she focuses on crafting meaningful education and facilitating conversations that connect design, materials, and low-carbon outcomes.

Hosted by Teulo CPD platform on behalf of Abodo Wood. NZRAB: 10 CPD - 5 Project Management | 5 Design | Australian CPD: 1 Formal CPD | BC | Canada | USA: 1 Hour Structured Continuing Education (1 Learning Unit)

Abodo® creates New Growth™ feature timbers that rival old growth options, preserving the ancient forests the planet depends on. Crafted from rapidly renewable, sustainably managed forests, our timbers deliver the beauty, durability, and performance you need – without compromise.