Although wood buildings can be built to last, they are still perceived as lacking durability compared to buildings constructed with steel and concrete. Furthermore, in some cases, new materials, conflicts in building bylaws, inappropriate design approaches, poor construction practices and maintenance regimes have combined to cause premature failures in wood-based building systems. Other issues that promote problems include lack of quality control, shortages of trained personnel and attempts to cut construction costs. A major part of the problem appears to be that appropriate design solutions are not being applied either because the knowledge is not available to the people that need it or because customers or designers demand a new look. There is a need to make the existing knowledge available in a user-friendly format, to identify knowledge gaps and perhaps identify needs for improved material properties or innovative design solutions. A system is also needed for decisions made at each stage of the life cycle to be passed on to participants in subsequent stages, thereby facilitating the best possible series of decisions for the durability of the structure. This project will develop computer-based decision aids which will assist specifiers, designers, builders and owners to satisfy the durability requirements of a wood structure during its life cycle. A framework for modeling durability in wood construction has been developed. Three dimensions of the framework are: life cycle considerations, a durability risk assessment model and a performance evaluation model for the building assemblies. The research to date has focused on the first two of these. Ideas for the life cycle and knowledge on the factors affecting the performance of wood systems exposed to intermittent wetting have been assembled through literature review and consultation with experts in the field. Methods for qualifying or quantifying the effect have been developed where possible. A risk assessment model has thus been developed. The performance evaluation model will be used to predict the durability of buildings. It will consider the interaction between different assemblies and the interactions between the parts of each assembly in the context of the risk assessment model. A computer program called Kappa is being used as the platform on which to build the preliminary model. The life cycle of a building consists of conceptual design, final design, construction, maintenance/repairs and demolition. The major tasks, key issues to be considered and the required inputs have been identified for each stage. The risk assessment model considers the demand on durability, the degree of loss due to failure of the system and the durability capacity provided by the specifier, designer, builder and owners. Demand considers the required service life, climate, local conditions, assembly/component exposure, component hazard class (use category) and the impact of design causing durability problems. The degree of loss considers the consequences of failure and the effort required for maintenance and repair. The durability capacity can be controlled through the selection of the appropriate materials, material treatment, design detailing, construction quality, and a maintenance program. The performance evaluation model will be the next part of the project to be addressed. The project is still in progress but already there have been spin-offs in terms of an improved understanding of the interactions among factors impacting the performance of wood construction.