LOCAL PROJECT
process , one can pre-plan and pre-manufacture all the building elements . These precise , large building elements fit like a glove , which makes for a smoother , quicker , and measurable installation process . Almost all of it comes from a renewable source . Timber is forgiving and very versatile !
What about cost ? Is CLT expensive to manufacture ? Very similar to our modular costs , CLT is expensive on first impression , but due to it being factory-produced , it results in a quick and effective installation process . As we save a lot time by having no changes and a rapid installation system , the cost is very similar to building with standard construction methods . Although our advantage is that structures are finished to a high level of detail in comparison .
We have found that the prefabrication forces both client and designers to resolve all aspects of the design process prior to installation , which results in a lot less site changes or variations . Snag lists are shortened because a lot of the snagging is resolved before the building elements come to site .
Your first structure was built from combination of timber construction techniques – tell us more about these different techniques . The units were made with a combination of timber framing and CLT construction techniques – all from locally grown hardwoods :
• The base frame was made from laminated red grandis eucalyptus .
• The floor panel was made from 3 lamella CLT with the top layer in red grandis eucalyptus .
• The wall panels were made from conventional H2 SAP timber framing with glass fibre insulation , a 27mm CLT panel was then pressed onto these frames resulting in seamless interior wall panels .
• The exterior wall panels were cladded with 22m tongue and grove red grandis boards .
• The roof panel was also made with H2 pine framing and a thinner CLT panel was pressed onto it . The roof was insulated with cellulose recycled newspaper .
Combining conventional timber framing and thinner CLT panels allowed for both cost-effective , lighter and easier assembling , as well as the seamless visual aesthetic of CLT .
Prefabrication forces both client and designers to resolve all aspects of the design process prior to installation .
Your units are 100 % certified to all municipalities . Please tell us more about the certification and associated criteria . Our modules fit the National Building Regulations Act 103 of 1977 , which ensures all buildings fit prescribed regulations :
• Fire rating .
• Thermal performance .
• XA – energy efficiency and environmental sustainability on new buildings .
• General National Building Regulations – spatial building regulations .
Our modules allow :
• Flexible and correct building orientation ,
• Shading to the northern walls ,
• Sustainable building materials and methods for foundation , floors , walls , and roof ,
• Geared towards off-grid living such as solar , waterless toilets , grey water systems .
The rapid build aspect is a huge plus – can you outline the installation process ? Why is it so quick ? All the components of the buildings are pre-manufactured under controlled factory conditions . The units are almost fully assembled in the factory allowing for the units to be delivered to site as a 90 % complete building . The bigger units are flat packed , the various floor , wall and roof panels are then assembled on site expediently with the assistance of a crane . The assembling goes really fast because everything is already prepared to fit perfectly .
Would you regard these modular units as a possible solution in the affordable housing space ? If so , could you motivate this , keeping in mind that the emphasis is on ‘ affordable ’. Is this a feasible option ? Yes , on mass these units could definitely become a solution for affordable housing . More specifically if you had to look at taller multi-storey apartment-type buildings , such as those in Europe and America .
Finishing touches , including the roof flashings and final sealing are completed on day three .
When we started the notion of modular buildings with focus on simplicity , cost-effectiveness , and using timber 10 years ago , we had
www . timberiq . co . za // DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022 13