PERSONALITY PROFILE
material for housing , and high-rise building structures have long been used in the construction industry . In Europe there are excellent training facilities , and the engineering and assembly skills are of an extremely high standard , because their lifestyle choices , policies , systems , and skills development programmes are further progressed with regards to eco-friendly building alternatives .
South Africa is a brick-and-mortar country , and convincing people to build houses with timber will require a massive shift in perception . As a result , there are few , if any , timber engineers specialising in timber construction and design . Many Europeans are keen to invest in the South African timber industry , but I do believe that the model must be developed in a way that fits the South African culture . It helps to have knowledge of , and working experience in , both worlds , and that has shaped my thoughts .
Tell us more about your company I started AdaptAbuild in 2016 as a new build and renovation projects company , having done a few projects with high-end game lodges , residential buildings as well as corporate offices . During lockdown , developments led to me pivoting the business to embrace the growing local interest in affordable , eco-friendly building options . We offer a tiny house option , and this was the logical , niche starting point . The CLT solution is being added in the most viable way . My partner , Roland Mazar , has worked on CLT and tiny house projects in Houtbaai and in the Southern Cape , and has immense assembly knowledge . I am grateful that we are in a position now where we have a trusted nucleus of experienced professionals to commercialise the offering .
The Western Cape is best positioned for the business , given its ‘ open for business ’ philosophy , the movement towards sustainable building alternatives ( which is already progressed ), and the close proximity to the timber plantations . This is where AdaptAbuild will be based .
I believe you also have ambitions to establish a carpentry school ? Yes , indeed – that is the intent . It is critical to develop local skills and I am committed to prioritising this from the start while CLT is still in its baby shoes and learns to walk in South Africa . Although there is a lot of interest , there is limited information and understanding of how to construct a timber building . Timber engineers , for example , are a key component of such a project , particularly if it involves large , multistorey buildings . The challenge for European engineers working here , is that the South African landscape , climate , and conditions are completely different . For example , in South Africa they do not need to calculate the snow load , which adds to the final cost of the building . The primary concern in South Africa , of course , is the cost , and one needs to reduce the input costs as much as possible , by increasing economies of scale . Localisation of this global technology is therefore , in my mind , very important .
There is a movement around the world in terms of timber as a way of life and to highlight the health benefits . Timber building also requires less maintenance . What is your opinion ? Using timber , CLT and LVL as alternative building materials is part of a more holistic way of living . CLT has set a new benchmark for sustainability and SMART building in construction . It means you are building with eco-friendly materials , using a systems-driven , technological approach with a an integrated design methodology that includes ventilated façades , insulation and double glaze windows which results in a concept known as ‘ passive housing ’ which enables energy efficiency . This , plus lower maintenance cost , has a direct benefit to reduced total cost of investment which , in turn , net offs the initial investment in the innovative CLT design solution . Over the long term , yes , it requires lower maintenance .
CLT seems to be the new buzzword in the timber industry . Why is it regarded as such a great material to build with ? CLT is multi-layered treated timber panels , arranged in 90-degree , perpendicular layers . The product is treated and tested for local conditions and against local quality standards . Originally the design allowed only angular designs . However , there are variations that now allow for curved and sweeping designs for better design flow . Design features such as windows , cable inserts and the like are integrated into the panel design and production . The assembly process is quick and therefore efficient . As an example , the 2 300m 2 building that we worked on in Romania took less than 45 days to complete the structure . The team consisted of eight carpenters , we used 22 trucks and 820 CLT elements , and 60 000 screws – every part of the process was executed according to a detailed and monitored plan using a Rivet-BIM systems approach . Although it was put up with the speed of light , I have never seen such precision . The team of assemblers were extremely professional , well-trained with years of experience between them . It made me realise how far behind we are in South Africa as far as bridging the gap between current building methods and the growing demand for eco-friendly efficiency .
( From left ) Miki Racz , Shaun Forster ’ s teammate on one of the projects in Italy where they worked in teams of two screwing down the roof . Beside Miki is architect Andrei Bodnar . Shaun Foster is on the far right .
The industry is going through a metamorphosis and it requires highly-trained , skilled , and qualified professionals , something we need to develop in South Africa . With the recent developments in the local construction industry , now is probably an ideal time to adapt an innovative solution that is future-fit . Of course , there will always be a demand for steel-cement-bricks construction , but CLT gives investors a greener and SMART choice . It then goes beyond any one project .
There is a fantastic opportunity to , as a country , develop the value chain and revive our legacy knowledge-base in timber , timber
30 DECEMBER 2020 / JANUARY 2021 // www . timberiq . co . za