As climate change reshapes the way we live—prompting thoughtful changes both big and small to support sustainability—the design profession must evolve as a key player in reducing waste, deforestation, and other drivers of global warming. One critical lever designers can pull is material selection. In this episode, we’re focusing on FSC-certified wood—a single material choice that can make a significant difference.
Joining us from BWBR are President and CEO Terri Ulrick, Senior Specifications Writer Renee Wells, and Sustainability Specialist Rasa Zeltina to discuss what FSC wood is, why it matters, and how designers can meaningfully incorporate it into their projects to support sustainability and social responsibility.
What is FSC Certification?
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, a nonprofit founded in the 1990s to promote responsible forest management. The organization’s work supports more than just the trees—it’s about protecting ecosystems, supporting communities, and creating accountability across the supply chain.
As far as certification goes, “there are three certifications that are available: 100% certified materials, recycled materials, and a mix—the mixture is a combination of FSC-certified materials, recycled materials, and FSC control materials,” Renee explains. “I think of it as good, better, and best kinds of levels.”
With how frequently wood products are used in projects—floors, walls, ceilings, infrastructure, and beyond—specifying FSC wood can make a huge impact. “It means the materials we’re using are helping protect ecosystems, supporting fair labor practices, and reducing the overall carbon footprint of our work,” says Terri.
Balancing Cost, Supply, and Sustainability
Sustainable materials can carry the stigma of being unaffordable for many projects. However, the team offers their perspectives on design that is both budget-friendly and eco-friendly.
“Currently, our research shows that there could be a 15 to 20 percent increase in wood product costs,” Renee says. While that may sound substantial, she points out that cost increase is small in the grand scheme of large projects. “I looked at a recent $25 million dollar project we did, and the wood framing on that was $75,000. So, if you take a 15 to 20 percent increase, you’re looking at a $11,000 to $15,000 increase on a $25 million dollar project—which is a drop in the bucket to improve a product.”
The team explains that a black and white approach isn’t necessary—these choices can and should fall in the gray. “Progress, not perfection,” Rasa says. “Maybe a project can pursue FSC-certified wood for only four doors or for wall panels. You can do what works with your budget and your schedule.”
Renee mentions that aside from cost impacts, supply chain can also yield schedule impacts. Because not all millwork fabricators stock FSC-certified wood, it can take longer to order and receive materials. By working closely with the owner and contractor, “we increase our likelihood of achieving these sustainable strategies through coordinating and planning,” she says.
Product into Practice
For designers looking to incorporate FSC wood in their projects, Renee says that “communicating the sustainability goals to your specification writer is an important start” to navigating the large variety of products and possibilities.
While the benefits of using these products are significant, Rasa says it’s important to be aware of added complexity when specifying FSC. “First of all, a wood manufacturer has to be authorized to use FSC-certified products, so you have to make sure that you’re working with the correct manufacturers who have the ability to use FSC,” she explains. “And then there are other items as well, such as a chain of custody documentation, which means that FSC wood is tracked at every point along its journey from the forest to the finished product site. That requires accountability and paperwork as well.” She stresses that these additional steps are very doable, but critical to understand and address.
Terri shares the importance of communicating the impact with clients who may not be familiar with FSC products. “Specifying FSC-certified wood is about trust and impact,” she says. “We can tell our clients with confidence that their projects are contributing to healthier forests and healthier communities, and we know that those decisions, multiplied across many projects, add up to real change.”
Plus, Rasa adds that sustainability is increasingly important to the people that organizations serve: “In this day and age, consumers and people more than ever want to be aligned values-wise with where they go to school, where they work, or who they are working with.”
The Bottom Line
Throughout the conversation, one theme comes through clearly: FSC products are good for designers, fabricators, manufacturers, and organizations across all market sectors—because they’re good for the environment.
“FSC is really about doing the right thing for communities and the environment. That is immeasurable,” Renee says. “We have to protect these resources—we’re at a critical point and have been for a while. As architects, we need to push this.”
At BWBR, that commitment extends beyond individual projects. “For us at BWBR, it’s not just about checking a sustainability box. It’s about aligning with the larger commitments we’ve made as a profession,” Terri says. “The AIA Materials Pledge challenges us to think about health, equity, and climate in every material decision we make. The AIA Framework for Design Excellence reminds us that design excellence is also about environment and social responsibility. FSC wood is a very tangible way to put those values into practice.”
