FEATURE
It is estimated that two billion square metres of new building stock will be required every year between 2019 and 2025 alone to keep up with urban development and population growth . This is according to a report by Arup , Rethinking Timber Buildings : Seven perspectives on the use of timber in building design and construction .
The report states that “ space and resource constraints , climate change mitigation and resilience , and a greater focus on human wellbeing , among other factors , have stimulated new solutions and encouraged innovation .”
This ‘ innovation ’ has seen us going back to basics – pre-stone and iron age – and looking to wood .
Roy Southey , executive director of Sawmilling South Africa , could not agree more . “ We need to get away from the notion that building with wood is reserved for tool sheds or log cabins .”
Timber is often overlooked by developers and architects as a viable , low carbon material for the local built environment . Yet it ticks several boxes , not least of which is renewability .
THE CULTIVATION FACTOR
In South Africa , wood for structural timber comes from sustainably cultivated pine or Eucalyptus trees , otherwise
MURRAY FREDERICKS
Wood and natural materials deliver a certain degree of wellbeing , happiness and comfort that other materials cannot match .
BSKYB BIBB
Multi-storey building constructed with timber .
www . timberiq . co . za // JUNE / JULY 2021 17