PERSONALITY PROFILE
also be Laminated Veneered Lumber ( LVL ), which is basically plywood on steroids , with each lamellas being about 3mm thick . This has been used for many decades , and is most commonly used for floors in the form of a cassette .
A CLT panel consists of uneven layers of kiln-dried timber , with the outer layers spanning the main axis , which is bonded with structural adhesives and pressed pneumatically or hydraulically to form a solid , dimensionally stable , rectangular panel . These can vary in size , but are typically 2.4 x 12m .
Mass Timber is more efficient than solid timber , as it is manufactured by gluing smaller bits of timber together . Because of the inherent strengths of glue laminated timber , manufacturers do not have to use hardwoods , and can use both SA Pine and Eucalyptus .
Has the focus group had some interaction with government and the timber industry at all ? Yes , we were invited to work with the DTI ’ s Demand Creation Working Group , and one of our members , Fanie van der Westhuyzen is contributing , along with Emma Ayesu-Koranteng on a similar forum . We ’ ve also being working with the Green Building Council who asked us to do a webinar for their members . We are a neutral platform and will therefore be working with all parties across the supply chain , from suppliers to manufacturers , as well as the established industry bodies , and government . The local interest has been remarkable , and on LinkedIn , our following quickly grew to over a 1 000 . A significant portion of our followers are South Africans .
Are South Africans ready for the timber industry ? Yes , I do think they are , but it is a broad question . They are not ready in terms of experience or philosophically , as this is a culture shift away from masonry and concreate structures for mid-rise buildings . The sustainability aspect of timber in a post-Covid-19 world is a no-brainer as it is the only renewable material , which is sourced from certified plantations . Therefore , I believe that now is the time for training locals and encouraging pilot projects .
Where are the opportunities for timber in South Africa ? I see two sectors where there are opportunities . One is mid-rise commercial buildings and the other is bulk residential buildings like student housing or apartments . I think this is where the opportunities are , and it seems typical throughout the world .
Could timber be the answer to South Africa ’ s mass housing deficit ? I do think it can be applied as a hybrid technology , as you are talking about quite significant volumes of wood , which is not expensive , but is comparatively more than timber-framing . However , Laminated Veneer Lumber ( LVL ), could prove to be the answer to the mass housing crisis , but again as a hybrid technology .
When do you think it will dawn on South Africans that timber is a great building material ? I ’ m hoping that by 2025 each province in South Africa will have at least one mass timber building . Once there are pilot projects in the country , we will start seeing rapid adoption , as tenants are willing to pay a premium for carbon neutral or negative . We have not yet sat around a table with the foresters like Sappi and York Timbers , as we all have day jobs , but we are looking forward to working with them to get buy-in to our mission to accelerate the adoption of Mass Timber in SA .
30 APRIL / MAY 2021 // www . timberiq . co . za