Thinking About Wood, the ‘Essential Material’

Harvey Green, a Northeastern U. professor, in his wood shop

College buildings are built mainly out of concrete and steel these days — and that’s a good thing, for those materials’ resistance to fire and their durability. Those who are interested in sustainability, however, should reconsider the use of wood for some applications. A recent story in The Chronicle discusses the power of wood in human culture and the built environment. The story features a slide show narrated by its subject, Harvey Green, a professor of history at Northeastern University.