Ini Archibong
Carbon footprint of The Kadamba Gate

The carbon footprint of The Kadamba Gate is 42 kg CO₂ eq., about the same as a 329 km drive and equal to the carbon emissions of the average European over a 43-hour period. Total carbon emissions of 301 kg CO₂ eq. are offset by 39 kg CO₂ eq. due to burning of wood offcuts at Benchmark (which substituted for fossil fuel) and 219 kg CO₂ eq. of carbon stored in the wood. It takes only 0.6 seconds for the 209 kg of red oak and 24 kg of cherry used to manufacture the design to be replaced by regrowth in the U.S. forest.

A proportion of the red oak was thermally modified in the U.S., a process which adds around 20% to processing emissions for that portion of the red oak supplied to Benchmark. However, these additional emissions are more than offset by the carbon stored in the wood, and the thermal modification process, in addition to introducing contrasting colours into the design, increases durability and can contribute to a longer life in use.

The use of natural wood with only limited modification in the design and reuse of offcuts for the footings contributes to relatively high yield - 60% of wood material supplied is contained in the final design - and ensures low emissions during manufacturing. The use of only a limited quantity of non-wood materials – mainly steel fixings – also contributes to the low carbon footprint.

Through a combination of strong design, good craftsmanship and durable materials, there is every reason to believe that The Kadamba Gate will remain in use for many years, storing carbon and inspiring future generations of designers far into the future. Particularly appropriate for a design inspired by Giants Causeway, a symbol of great resilience in the path of storms.