Living in a Material World
With increasing timber production from New Zealand's forests, there are enormous opportunities for more use of timber as a structural and finishing material. Andy Buchanan considers who decides which materials to use in new buildings.
Timber can be used for innovative and prestigious buildings, ranging from houses and apartments to large commercial and recreational buildings, as well as bridges and industrial structures, for the local market and numerous export markets.
Timber use benefits the Government and the timber industry. It adds value to a sustainable and renewable New Zealand resource, creates employment opportunities in cities and regions, and reduces fossil fuel use, to assist compliance with the Kyoto Protocol. It demonstrates the capabilities of New Zealand timber products and pre-fabricated buildings, and develops export markets for New Zealand design expertise.
If it is desirable to encourage more use of timber as a structural or non-structural material, we need to determine who decides which materials to use.
This case study is reproduced with permission from e.nz magazine. Subscriptions to e.nz are discounted for schools and TENZ members.
