TIMBER BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE CONFERENCE
The building of dwellings with timber frames has been a tradition for hundreds of years, and in many countries throughout Europe this has not changed. But in recent years the construction of multi-residential and commercial buildings in timber has become the most favoured construction system in many of these countries.
Many factors have contributed to wider acceptance of timber as a building system beyond housing, but speed of construction, reduced labour on-site, and improved building quality leading to lower energy consumption are all high on the list of benefits being achieved.
In Australia, a growing interest in timber panel and engineered wood systems in construction is gathering support as a more cost-effective and efficient building method instead of using the traditional materials of steel and concrete.
This change in construction material will have a major impact on buildings in the future, and is a major topic at the Frame Australia 2014 Conference and Exhibition.
Conference director Kevin Ezard said “for decades the construction of detached housing in Australia has relied on timber framing with pre-fabricated roof trusses, floor trusses and walls, with a highly efficient and economical result for the builder and home owner which is unlikely to change in the short term”.
“However, in multi-residential dwellings and commercial buildings, a construction revolution is currently underway with the use of pre-fabricated timber panels to reduce the time required on-site and lower costs, which will be explained by developers and timber system suppliers at the one-day conference”.
Kevin added “in previous Frame Australia conferences the main topic has been the manufacture of timber trusses and frames, but the industry is now moving forward with panel systems as an extension of the existing frame and truss pre-fabrication process”.
“Greater value is added with the floor and wall components pre-assembled in the plant and delivered to site for the panels to be lifted into place with a mobile crane, effectively creating off-site construction to reduce time on site”.
Conference speakers include residential developer Australand, who will explain their move to timber panels for a 5 storey medium density residential development in Parkville, and how they are achieving faster construction outcomes with improved financial returns.
A presentation by WoodSolutions of interest to developers and builders will outline results from a cost comparison of traditional building materials against timber construction in commercial buildings, comprised of four buildings rigorously subjected to cost planners scrutiny with a 7 storey apartment building; a 6 storey office building; a portal frame structure and a 2 storey aged care building.
Results will show that timber panel systems are competitive in cost, with an analysis of where the main cost differences occur, and an outline of the benefits timber construction has over traditional materials.
International expert speakers from Europe, UK, USA, Canada and New Zealand will provide overviews on pre-fabricated construction trends, along with speakers on how these concepts can be applied locally to reduce building costs and generate more affordable housing.
Other presentations at the one-day event will be on timber and engineered wood products of the future, manufacturing equipment for pre-fabricated timber and panel systems, and the successful design and construction of panelised timber buildings in Australia.
The Frame Australia event is unique in creating a national gathering of delegates from both the timber and engineered wood, and building design and construction sectors.
For more information visit the website www.frameaustralia.com.