Professional Documents
Culture Documents
WIA Issue217
WIA Issue217
www.sylvawoodexpo.com
The Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives - Batutta Restaurant
featuring timber strips and flooring made of Malaysian timber.
Reasons Why
Malaysian Timbers
are the Preferred Choice!
Sustainable
Renewable
Versatile
Durable
Diverse
Malaysian timbers, exported to more than 160 countries, have continued to be favoured and featured
in building applications in many parts of the world. The remarkable performance characteristics of
many Malaysian timbers have allowed architects and designers to feature timber in extraordinarily
imaginative ways and time-transcending designs that match beauty with functionality.
To learn more about Malaysian timbers and timber products, and the Council’s 2017 events and programmes,
please visit www.mtc.com.my
CONTENTS
14 36
04 20
EDITOR’S NOTE THE BIG PICTURE
Wake up call Spirited Away
14 28
ENGINEERED WOOD IN PERSON
The Wave, Nanyang Technological Softwood lumber, more than just a
University shared interest between two old friends
40 51 SHOW REVIEWS
FLOORING 60 SHOW PREVIEWS
New Oasis: A diversified flooring 62 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
producer in China 64 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
Wake up call
Singapore MICA (P) 020/07/2017 • ISSN 2251-1520
J
ust three years ago, it would way, it also fueled the global race (Chinese Edition) | Wendy Wei
be far-fetched to even suggest for going higher with wood. pabloshanghai@163.net
that Asia Pacific would one Forte still stands tall, but it is no Graphic Designer | Liu Yu
day warm up to the idea of a longer the tallest. Vancouver’s liuyu@pabloasia.com
city built on timber. Ignorance, 18-storey Brock Commons now
Admin & Circulation Manager | Shu Ai Ling
cost and disbelief aside, sweltering is. The Canadians are more than
circulation@pabloasia.com
hot weather, humidity and over- happy to introduce this know-how
crowding rendered the thought a to Southeast Asia. In May this year, General Manager,
pipe dream. the Minister of International Trade Pablo Beijing & Shanghai | Ellen Gao
The material would hardly last visited Singapore for this purpose, pablobeijing@163.com
under such oppressive conditions, expressing his intention to exploit the Associate Publisher | Pamela Buckley
much less survive the next 100 years, “Gateway to Asia” as a springboard pamela@pabloasia.com
so they say. But time has since for promoting softwood in the
Executive Director | Alistair Bryson
proven naysayers the contrary, region (p. 28).
pablogermany@t-online.de
turning “what if” into “it is finished”. The city-state is ready and eager
Timber answers the wake-up call for a wood renaissance in favour of Publisher | William Pang
williampang@pabloasia.com
to climate change because it has quicker construction times as jobs are
a much lower carbon footprint plentiful but workers, few. The new
than other apparently eco-friendly sports hall at Nanyang Technological Wood in Architecture Asia is a member of
materials such as recycled plastic University is an engineered wood
(p. 57). wonder that stands as an example of
The first few notable projects that this commitment (p. 14). One home-
turned heads were actually from the grown company is also introducing
region: 10-storey Forte and Library a wood composite material that
at the Dock in Melbourne, both has great strength and durability for
made from cross-laminated timber. flooring and fit-outs (p. 44). 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62
#01-23 Link@AMK
(Arguably, Australia is not ‘Asia’, but Elsewhere, years of experimenting Singapore 569139
some cities are within a four-hour with tulipwood CLT have culminated Tel: (65) 6266 5512
E-mail: info@pabloasia.com
flight away, close enough.) into Maggie’s Oldham, the first
Forte was inspiring at that time permanent structure made of Company Registration No: 200001473N
All rights reserved. Views of writers do not necessarily reflect the views of
(c. 2012) not only for its record as hardwood CLT (p. 48). the Publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form
or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the Publisher
the tallest timber superstructure in In the infinite space of imagination, and copyright owner. Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy of
the information in this publication, the Publisher accepts no liability for
@panelsfurnitureasia
criteria. Paid subscription is available to those who do not fit our terms of control.
Please refer to subscription form provided in the publication for more details.
Front cover: The Wave/ Credit: NTU Printed by Times Printers Pte Ltd
NEW SINGAPORE
SUSTAINABILITY ACADEMY
LAUNCHES, CHAMPIONS
CLIMATE ACTION,
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS,
AND SOCIAL CHANGE and Coordinating Minister for National Security, and Mr
Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water
PERCHED above City Square Mall, the new Singapore Resources, in June.
Sustainability Academy is reminiscent of a worldwide The zero-energy building features about 3,200 square
trend in managing the urban population crisis— feet of photovoltaic panels which will yield over 60,000
constructing new wooden units above existing buildings. kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy, more than the estimated
The Academy however, is not a residence. Instead, annual energy consumption of 50,000 kWh. The building
the one-storey 4,300-square-foot space comprises also has an automation control and energy monitoring
classrooms, a veranda, an office, and an exhibition system that adapts lighting and air-conditioning to
gallery. situations, providing maximum energy savings while
It is made from cross-laminated timber (CLT) and maintaining full comfort.
glulam, all of which were pre-fabricated and then Sherman Kwek, deputy chief executive officer of CDL,
assembled on-site. (The timber is verified by the said, “Sustainability creates immense value for businesses,
Nature’s BarcodeTM system as coming from responsible stakeholders, the community and the environment. It is
sources.) Wood is an ideal material because it is light; it strategically integrated into our business.”
minimises load on the structure. This method also raises Edwin Khew, SEAS Chairman added, “Our partnership
productivity—in this case, by 30 per cent, saving about with CDL for the SSA will provide a platform for the industry
130 days of work. It also reduces on-site pollution to a and community to learn and collaborate on sustainable
minimum, resulting in a cleaner and safer worksite. development, as well as climate change and its effects.”
The Academy is a joint project between City Under the Green Building Masterplan, Singapore aims
Developments Limited (CDL) and the Sustainable Energy to green 80 per cent of all buildings by 2030. It has also
Association of Singapore (SEAS). It was officially opened pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 36 per cent by
by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister 2030. WIA
SOUTH of China, a living, breathing city blueprint produce approximately 900 tonnes of oxygen per year.
designed by Milan-based Stefano Boeri Architetti It is located in a mountainous region in Guangxi, an
envisions all buildings covered in greenery. The utopian area that covers 175 hectares along the Liujiang River.
urban dream, now under construction, will become a It will connect to the main Liuzhou City via a fast rail line
reality in 2020. run on electricity.
The futuristic city follows the success of the architects’
Commissioned by the Liuzhou Municipality Urban
Vertical Forest in Milan. The immediate benefits of a green
Planning, the Liuzhou Forest City will be home to 30,000 city are not just an improvement in air quality; it will also
people, 40,000 trees, and over a million plants. Energy self- drop temperatures, create sound-proof barriers, and
sufficiency needs are met by renewables: geothermal provide a haven for flora and fauna.
energy for interior air-conditioning and solar panels over The Milan model will also be replicated in other parts
the roofs. The buildings are designed to absorb almost of the world. In China, Nanjing, Shanghai and Shenzhen
10,000 tonnes of CO2 and 57 tonnes of pollutants, and are earmarked for the next project. WIA
SINGAPORE STUDENTS
RE-IMAGINE UTOPIAN
SOLUTIONS FOR A
SUSTAINABLE,
LIVEABLE CITY
An artist’s impression of the interior of an 80-storey timber tower proposed
for Singapore. Rendering courtesy of WEIJENBERG.
The future belongs to the young and those who dare to dream, as this year’s graduating class of
Singapore University of Technology & Design demonstrate.
WHAT does the city of the future look like? No long queues The proposed design is for a building in the CBD but
at the bank, or perhaps a more equal world in which the can also be applied to public housing—or Housing
less mobile can live, work and play like everyone else? Development Board homes—where 80 per cent of the
Or maybe a Central Business District that, instead of steel population reside.
and concrete, is one of tall timber buildings? Weijenberg’s prototype responds to an urgent need for
For their final year project, graduating students from eco-friendly, ‘intelligent’ architecture using sustainable
the Singapore University of Technology & Design re- building materials, following a recent announcement
imagined an urban landscape that solves some of our by the Singapore government to install 5,500 HDB blocks
most pressing issues in everyday life. These ideas tie in with with solar panels by 2020.
Singapore Sustainable City 2030, an ambitious initiative “Our research is a step further towards a greener
which aims at developing innovative infrastructure for Singapore and meeting Singapore’s ‘Sustainable City
next-generation living. 2030 Agenda’,” Mr Weijenberg said. “The greatest
Over a period of about nine months, project teams breakthroughs in architecture, I believe, come about
worked with corporate actors to identify and solve a through research.”
design problem. These solutions are ultimately presented As Asian cities expand at an unprecedented rate,
at the annual Capstone Showcase. overcrowding, traffic congestion and urban sprawl
One team proposed a multi-modal and sustainable highlight the urgency for sustainable, dense and resilient
transportation system for the Greater Southern Waterfront urban development solutions.
in 2030 in consultation with French software systems Renewable, lightweight and natural, timber in high rise
company Dassault Systèmes. The vehicles are shared, towers substantially reduces a building’s carbon footprint.
autonomous and amphibious. A flying vehicle prototype The process of photosynthesis, which occurs throughout
can soar mid-to-long distances to avoid traffic congestion. the growing life of a tree traps atmospheric carbon to
There are wearables for reducing spinal injuries, futuristic release oxygen and acts as a carbon sink. In contrast,
air purifiers, producing
smart rubbish traditional
collectors, ideas structural
for road safety materials such
and stacking as concrete
public bicycles and steel
neatly. releases CO2
A n o t h e r and consumes
team, advised far more fossil
by Dutch fuel energy. On
a r c h i t e c t the completion
C a m i e l of its life-span,
Weijenberg, timber can be
came up with a re-introduced
blueprint for an i n t o t h e
80-storey timber ecological raw
superstructure. The project team with Malte Herrmann, APP Timber, at the Capstone Showcase material cycle.
EGGER ANNOUNCES
STABLE RESULTS FOR
FY2016/2017 The EGGER Group, headquartered in St Johann, Austria
THE EGGER Group announced new records for the sales, which was largely compensated through exports.
financial year 2016/2017. Group sales rose 1.7 per cent The panels and engineered wood products company
to EUR 2.38 Bn while EBITDA climbed four per cent, hitting also announced significant investments in Poland,
EUR 363.7 Mn, a record for the company’s 56-year history. Argentina, and the USA, an amount totaling EUR 259.2
The volume of raw boards (including timber) produced Mn (previous year: EUR 302.7 Mn).
increased to 7.9 million m3 (+3 %), suggesting that all Some projects announced are the acquisition of
primary production capacities were maximised. Masisa’s Concordia plant in Argentina, a first outside
There is optimism in the coming years as positive Europe; a new chipboard plant in Biskupiec, Poland,
sales developments were achieved and market share, which will be completed in end 2018; and another
secured in almost all regions. Despite uncertainties green field investment in a wood-based materials plant
following the Brexit vote, business in the UK over the past in Lexington, North Carolina.
12 months was positive. Lower earnings were due to a EGGER expects revenue and results to continue
weaker British Pound. The unrest in Turkey also led to lower growing in the current business year. WIA
T
he Nanyang Technological
University (NTU) in Singapore
has always been known for its
green credentials. And adding on
to its green list is the new sports hall
named The Wave.
The mega sports hall is the first
large-scale building in Southeast Asia
built using mass-engineered timber
(MET), which comes from Austria. A
showpiece of innovation, The Wave
is constructed with a continuous
72-metre wave-like roof without the
need for internal columns.
Inside, it opens up a cavernous
three-storey space with no internal
pillars and “can host 13 concurrent
badminton games, or three
basketball games, or as I would like
it, a full-fledged rock concert for
almost a thousand students,” said
Professor Bertil Andersson, President
of NTU, at the opening of The Wave. The official opening of The Wave on April 24, 2017
The Wave’s multi-purpose courts can be converted for games such as badminton, volleyball or netball.
“double layered” with a pocket of air between them However, as MET is relatively new to Singapore, it is
that insulates the heat on hot days. Special metal coils inevitable that some industry practitioners are unfamiliar
with chilled water flowing through them cools the wind with MET design and construction, according to the
that enters the hall so as to allow warmer air to escape Building and Construction Authority (BCA). Furthermore,
through convection. given the low cost of foreign labour in Singapore, MET
This unique ventilation system helps the sports hall to construction is expected to be more expensive than the
stay cool without air-conditioners or fans, thus, saving conventional labour-intensive methods of construction,
over 40 per cent of energy. or at least in the initial years of adoption.
Students are also able to play badminton in this draft- To overcome these initial challenges, the BCA has been
free environment as there will be no wind disruption from working with government agencies and the industry to
fans while still being able to stay cool. create sufficient lead demand for DfMA technologies
(including MET). It is also helping the industry build up
THE NEED TO INNOVATE technical competency in MET by engaging specialists
According to Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for National to conduct workshops on its design and construction.
Development and Second Minister for Finance, The Wave
marks a new milestone in Singapore’s push to be more NEXT ON NTU’S GREEN LIST
productive in construction. The Wave is one of the many green buildings on campus.
If the construction sector continues to rely on The University has a record number of 53 Green Mark
labour-intensive methods, there may be a far bigger Platinum awards given out by BCA.
pool of foreign workers than what Singapore can It is “no surprise that NTU is the first recipient to receive
accommodate, Mr Wong said, at the opening of the the BCA Green Mark Platinum STAR Champion award
Wave on April 24. last year,” said Mr Wong.
This could become a bottle-neck and constrain the In fact, the campus was also named as one of the
country’s development and infrastructure plans, which World’s Most Beautiful Universities.
will then see projects being deferred or held back. “With the opening of The Wave, I say that the most
With the use of MET, “we can potentially carry out beautiful has become even more beautiful,” Professor
billions more projects with the same number of workers,” Andersson said. WIA
he said.
Structural glulam arches sourced from Douglas fir trees soar up while also hearkening back to the fundamental elements of Gothic Architecture. Photo credit: George King
Spirited Away
Wood soothes the soul and calms the anxious
heart. In these sacred spaces, the warmth
and beauty of this organic material offers all
who walk through their doors peace and rest.
Arguably a product of faith and prayer, St Edward Catholic Church is a beacon of light to the faithful,
lifting the spirits of those who look upon it.
The interior of St Edward Catholic Church, with the altar. All images are credited to George King
I
t can be argued that St Edward in the form of DiLoreto Architecture, white-concrete pedestals they stem
Catholic Church, a 2015 U.S. based in Portland, Oregon. from and hold up the roof, lower roof,
WoodWorks Wood Design Award Structural glulam arches sourced and lofty clerestories.
Winner, sitting on a 20-acre campus, from Douglas fir trees create a Harkening to the congregation’s
is the product of the unwavering sense of warmth while hailing the request to have their church represent
a beacon in the community as
faith and prayer demonstrated by fundamental elements of Gothic
historically common in Gothic times,
the parishioners from Keizer, Oregon. architecture, and utilises the building
there is a ‘glass lens’ encompassing
The 1,085sqm church lacked the structure itself to produce plenty the sanctuary below that allows
finances to build the intricate Gothic of natural light and space. Six natural light to stream in during the
cathedral the members of the main structural pointed arches day, and serves as a reminder of a
church had in mind, but their US$4 strategically scattered around the lantern and uplifting the spirits of the
million budget was nonetheless met nave soar into the air from the tall parishioners at night. WIA
A
t first glance,
the Buddhist
International
TRADITION MEETS AND MELDS
Society Retreat on Bowen
Island, British Columbia, WITH THE CONTEMPORARY
Canada, and designed Tucked away in British Columbia, the Buddhist International Society Retreat
by James Tuer of JWT is a hidden gem, providing all those who walk its halls with quiet sanctuary.
Architecture and Planning,
would not look out of place
in the local municipality’s
climate, culture, and setting.
Constructed almost
entirely of western red
cedar, the winner of
the 2016 Wood Design
Awards in the Western
Red Cedar category pays
homage to the Buddhist
architecture of ancient
times while staying true to
the contemporary building The gate echoes traditional Buddhist architecture All images are credited to Wood WORKS! BC - 2016 Wood
methods and culture of that can still be found in the modern world. Design Awards in BC
British Columbia.
The exterior and ceilings metaphor that resembles a western red cedar ceiling are reminiscent of the
within the main sanctuary boat, carefully balancing finish subtly underscores traditional Buddhist
are clad in cedar that serenity and tension in the the contrasting maple architectural forms that
are clear and free of primary sanctum. floors and gypsum can still be found in places
knots, offering a stunning Deeply-curved glulam wallboard wall finish. such as the Kyoto Imperial
architectural form on beams from the Douglas fir The perimeter gates Palace gates in Kyoto,
the outside and giving tree were used in the roof’s and fencing, also made Japan, today, but with a
the interior a Zen-like curvature, and inside, the of western red cedar, modern twist. WIA
CLEAN, CALM,
AND TRANQUIL
The newly built Stanbrook
Abbey is the new home of the
25 Benedictine nuns from the
Conventus of Our Lady of
Consolation, who devote
their lives to study, work,
and prayer.
Stanbrook Abbey was completed over two phases – 2009 and 2015. Photo credit: Tim Crocker
L
ocated in the North over the Vale of York, but repair bills, the need for
Yorkshire Moors also a peaceful setting for a new location that was
National Park, the new their contemplative life. economic to run and
site for the Conventus of As the nuns’ original sensitive to ecological and
Our Lady of Consolation monastery, built in the environmental concerns
was chosen for the “special 1 9 th c e n t u r y , r a p i d l y grew increasingly evident.
quality of silence and light” became too expensive And Stanbrook
that could offer the nuns and restrictive with Abbey fulfilled all their
not only far-reaching views its substantial fuel and requirements.
Indigenous and natural The materials used in the
The abbey takes full advantage of natural light and views. materials were chosen construction of the abbey are
Photo credit: Tim Crocker renewable, recycled, or have low
where possible. To minimise embodied energy. Photo credit:
the use of structural Peter Cook
steel, locally-sourced
timber was adopted.
In addition, sandstone, demonstrates a thorough
formed by recycling off ethos carried through from
cuts from a local paving the sisters’ brief. They live a
manufacturer, was simple disciplined lifestyle
also incorporated into and the building reflects
the design and used for this in every statement,”
cladding in conjunction commented the judges at
with oak boarding. the RIBA Yorkshire Awards
“Its straightforward 2016, where the building
palette of materials; won the RIBA Stirling Prize
oak, stone and copper, Midlist. WIA
St Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel quietly and proudly points to its ecumenical roots, reminiscent of the symbol of the fish early Christians used.
All images are credited toJussi Tiainen
T
he 300sqm St Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel in Turku, Finland, is named after
one of the Nordic nation’s most recognisable figures, and sits unobtrusively on
one of the many islands that form the rolling Turku archipelago.
It is a place of contemplative peace and quiet for the visitors and patients of the
nearby cancer care centre, and also hosts art exhibitions, music performances,
weddings, baptisms and funerals, among others.
With the walls dramatically converging at a steep angle, the structure shows its
ecumenical roots, echoing the symbol of the fish early Christians used.
Architect Matti Sanaksenaho designed the chapel in such a way that the exterior
is covered by copper, and the interior lined with untreated timber. Nearly every
surface inside the building is made of pine planks.
Gradually, the copper’s colour will change into a turquoise hue, slowly integrating
with the surrounding trees, while the timber will slowly redden as it ages. Laminated
pine lends the edifice strength and draws the eye to the front of the church.
Glass panes situated at opposite ends of the structure let in light and shadow,
allowing them to play with each other, and forcefully enunciating the power of
the space. WIA
The
gentle
inclination
of the Sayama
Forest Chapel walls
create a structural
form that is reminiscent of
the shape of palms pressed
together in prayer. Photo credit:
Koji Fujii/Nacasa & Partners Inc.
T
he breathtaking Sayama Forest
Chapel in Saitama, Japan, is a
stunning combination of form and
function, creating a tranquil space facing
the deep forest, which is, according to
architect Hiroshi Nakamura, “essentially
the subject of prayer.”
Though a chapel by name, the 114sqm
building is a contemplative space that
is built in such a way that the structure
avoids the branches of surrounding trees
planted in the area, allowing them to
grow freely.
The curvilinear roof highlights the
structure’s form, and is made up of
Photo credit: Koji Fujii/Nacasa & Partners Inc.
251 laminated larch beams held by an
unseen steel plate. Inside, the larch wood
presents a rolling, ribbed framework, and
outside, 21,000 handcrafted aluminium Timber structures cast cadenced designs along the walls that emphasise
panels measured to an exacting 4mm of the height and curves of the building. Hidden ridge beams affixed to the
thickness make up the roof and protect structure’s concrete foundations soar nine metres into the sky, becoming
the beams. narrower the higher it goes and drawing eyes upward unconsciously. WIA
Softwood lumber,
more than just a shared interest
between two old friends
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of International Trade, signing the guest book in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign
Affairs during his visit to the city-state on May 22nd.
Over the past 50 years, Canada and Singapore have enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral
relations, characterised by cooperation in trade and sectors such as education, finance,
and defence. But trade in softwood lumber was, until recently, unexplored by both
nations. Now, both countries are upping their game in this area, and will likely leave an
impression in the history of Singapore architecture in more ways than one.
C
anada is home to one of the 2015, employed more than 200,000 faces average duties of about 27
most globally competitive workers. per cent.)
forestry industries, producing But in April 2017, the United States, But while the country’s other main
lumber that meets stringent one of Canada’s main export export markets in Northeast Asia look
international standards and that are markets, placed a 19.88 per cent
to maintain shipments of Canadian
exported to more than 140 countries. tariff on softwood lumber, another
softwood lumber, exports to Southeast
In fact, forestry is one of the main hefty blow dealt to the nation after
Asia have been on the rise since
drivers of the country’s economy. the U.S. withdrew from the Trans-
According to the Government Pacific Partnership. (An additional 2002. Singapore, viewed by many
of Canada, in 2016, Canada’s 6.87 per cent tariff in preliminary as the gateway to Asia, is one of the
lumber industry accounted for average anti-dumping duties was countries Canada has decided to
some CAD$22 billion in GDP and, in added in June. The industry now establish softwood trade with.
WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE,
SINGAPORE STYLE
Already, Singapore is adopting
the use of wood to construct
high-rises: The Wave, a sports hall
located on the grounds of Nanyang
Technological University (see p.14), is
one example. It is the first large-scale From left to right: Mr Ho Shian
Ching and Mr Champagne at
building in Southeast Asia built with ETH Enterprise, one of Singapore’s
timber construction technology. leading timber trading companies
Furniture befitting
the learning
space of
the future
Eminent British designer Luke
Hughes’ latest project takes
him to China. The team was
tasked to design a library that
melds modernity with history
and heritage.
E
ngineering furniture that fits the ‘now’ into history,
that bridges east and west, and that respects a
clients’ artistic and practical needs has always been
challenging.
But Luke Hughes’ latest project for Keystone Academy,
a Beijing-based international school, seems to have
checked all the boxes. The firm was commissioned to
design the school’s new library, a space that would not
only enable inquiry-based learning but also function as an
extension of the school’s cultural identity.
“Famous libraries have captured the imagination of
writers for millennia, especially those that have been
ruined, burnt, or in other ways destroyed,” Malcolm
McKenzie, the school’s principal, said. “One of the
main things we have learnt about school libraries is the
importance of preparing students for the next stage of
university learning.”
Keystone Academy was founded in 2014, on three key
principles: bilingual immersion in Chinese and English;
building character and community; and promoting
Chinese culture and identity. Classrooms and offices are
designed to be conducive for learning: High ceilings, large
windows, and intelligent layouts.
A pair of bronze dragons—one Welsh, one Chinese—for the library’s door handles, Calligraphy by Dong Han
designed by British sculptor Jill Watson
Luke Hughes approached the project with function, space planning and
provision for robust use in mind.
“
He said, “The library can be as eye-catching and striking as you like but if
it does not work for those who have to use it on a daily basis - the staff, the My agreeable task
students, the occasional visitors - it will be abandoned within a few years.” has been to [create]
The visionary British designer also believes in designing for 50 – 100-year life
expectancy in favour of “the possibility of locking up carbon for long periods.”
somewhere to work and
His firm has fitted the interiors of well-known buildings around the world, study, which imbues them
including the UK and Scottish Supreme Courts, five royal palaces in the UK, with the essence of western
Oxbridge colleges, as well as the new chairs for Westminster Abbey, on which
the royal couple was wed in 2011.
university libraries whilst
also respecting their own
THE APPROACH traditions. This has been
The aim was to create a library that not only conveys the values of university
libraries in the west, but also projects Keystone Academy as a Chinese
less about imitating the
institution with an international outlook. past but more about proving
The new library would also have to keep up with the evolution of reading the past’s relevance to the
”
habits. From hallowed, whispery sort of places to social spaces where people future.
can access electronic resources and work comfortably in well-lit surroundings.
“From the start, we wanted to make the library a place where students – Luke Hughes
want to go, where it’s cool to be seen, conducive to work, easy to gain
online access but also somewhere to browse, ponder, graze and stumble
on the unexpected,” Mr Hughes said.
“It should also be an environment stone by Caroline Webb. A signage students commented ‘there must be
that stimulated imagination, through designed by Brian Webb displays a magic glue on the carpet - I can’t seem
colour, historical reference and hundred quotations in Latin, English, to want to leave!’”
selection of artworks. These are and Chinese, attesting to the cultural Not all learning takes place in the
important for stretching young value of libraries over the last two classroom and the library should be
minds, as are subjects such as music, millennia. where students can explore areas of
design, drama and sport.” “We have also consciously taken interest, make connections and enjoy
The end-result reflects the best some of the furniture forms illustrated unexpected discovery, Mr McKenzie
of both worlds: a work-study-and-rest in silk paintings from the Ming and added.
environment that encompasses the Song dynasties and given them a “When we talk about student life at
essence of western university libraries contemporary twist,” said Mr Hughes. Keystone Academy we talk about the
whilst also respecting Chinese tradition. Song Jingming, Director of Libraries, heart and soul of our school community.
In total, 24 tonnes of furniture, 85 also helped address questions on Luke Hughes has turned our vision into
per cent of which were made in the Chinese and Western cultures. a beautifully conceived, versatile,
UK, was installed by the end of August studious and stimulating environment,”
2016. Apart from the usual shelves THE RESPONSE he said.
and reading corners, the new library The Eastern Jin dynasty poet Reflecting on the design principles
provides for temporary exhibitions, Tao Yuanming wrote in The Peach of the East and West, Mr Hughes
specialist teaching rooms and a rare Blossom Land about a fisherman who concluded that while there may be
books section. Spaces can also be stumbled on a magical village where, stylistic differences, the values and
reconfigured to host events. on entering, visitors lose their sense of intrinsic merits are very much the same:
Art installations created by British time and forget to leave. “First, something you like the look
artists also have a place in the library, “That is what the library feels like,” of; second, something that is well-
such as the bronze door handles—a Ms Song, remarked. She was a vital designed for its purpose and context. If
Welsh/Chinese pair of dragons—by member of the library’s design and it looks easy and inevitable, you know it
sculptor Jill Watson and calligraphy in development team. “One of our G11 has taken a lot of effort.” WIA
T
wenty metres long and seven
metres wide, Fabricwood owes
Fabricwood, the overarching structure located in Xtra, Marina Square,
Singapore, was designed by 2012 World Architecture Festival winner
its concept and inspiration to
and co-founder of PRODUCE, Pan Yi Cheng, and a team of architects. Herman Miller’s philosophy as well as
Photo credit: Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS)
material and structural innovation in
their products.
Pan Yi Cheng, co-founder of
PRODUCE, the architectural firm
behind the overarching plywood
structure in Xtra’s Herman Miller Shop-
in-Shop, said that the entire design
stemmed from one simple question:
“How [can we] shape large pieces
of plywood to form doubly curved
surfaces?” From there, lead designer
Pan Yi Cheng – as well as the other
eight members in the architectural
team – dug into their client’s work
chairs, the core products.
Fabricwood is Pan’s second effort
at using plywood in Xtra’s Herman
Miller Shop-in-Shop; the first attempt
was at the XTRA’s Herman Miller
Shop-in-Shop previously located in
Park Mall in 2012.
The design, shaped and stitched
together with a multitude of various
triangular plywood panels, won
the prestigious World Architecture
Festival award in the retail category
in 2012.
The second version, situated in
Marina Square, shaped the plywood
with a tailoring technique known
as darting, far more challenging to
conceptualise and model. Recently,
it won the Gold Prize in the inaugural
Singapore Interior Designer Awards
(SIDA).
THE CHALLENGES
While the team’s greatest challenge
was figuring out the “geometrical
logic” of the structure and how to
render the flat pattern drawing into
a three-dimensional model, the
physical properties and behaviour
of the plywood used also had to
be accurately digitalised in order
to minimise any misalignments and
dimensional distortions.
“The plywood quality and
constitution are important factors
that [determine] the curvature of the elastic mesh materials used in the
panels,” Pan added. Ergonomics line.
“Later, when we had to meet the As a result, the structure is a
installation deadline, priorities were comfortable and porous “skin”
less on perfection and accuracy. that has been “moulded” to its
To maintain the quality, we simply host, catching the substance of
worked overtime.” the Herman Miller brand through its
experimental geometries.
APPROACH AND DESIGN “The design process was an
PROCESS iterative loop between physical
Energised and inspired by the comfort experiments and computational
Herman Miller’s main chair products simulations, taking small steps
engendered, the architectural to improve the model in every
team delved into the Eames and iteration,” Pan explained.
Ergonomics furniture ranges and The shaping of the plywood,
their design processes in order to where the wood’s natural elasticity
better understand their client’s use played a huge role, was improved
of materials and techniques. with every repetitive cycle until
Armed with their new-found Fabricwood’s coveted curvature
A close-up view of the circular cut-
knowledge, the team integrated the outs on Fabricwood where the darts was achieved.
pioneering Eames furniture made of converge, enabling the plywood to A tailoring technique known as
bend without tearing. Photo credit:
lightweight and gracefully moulded PRODUCE workshop darting – used to shape textiles to fit
plywood with the innovative doubly- the human body – was employed on
curved, frameless, and suspended the plywood.
On a flat piece of plywood, the together without formaldehyde – with shaping and structuring the plywood.
darts and their specific angles would their in-house computer numerical Creativity and practicality had their
determine the final curvature when controlled (CNC) machine. respective places in the structure,
the structure was closed. The team also had a hand in and as Pan put it, “I think that
Circular cut-outs located where managing and coordinating [creativity and practicality] are the
the darts converged to enable the the edifice’s installation on-site, same in the sense that non-creative
plywood to bend without tearing, working closely with Xtra to settle solutions are not practicable.”
though if any alterations were made Fabricwood’s final positioning.
In the completion of Fabricwood,
to the types of plywood material In terms of environmental and
Pan hopes that he has paid homage
used, the dart angles had to be cost sustainability, the team used
to Herman Miller’s brand image and
modified. When put together, the green materials and light-emitting
honoured Xtra’s concept of a Shop-
edifice forms an undulating surface diode (LED) lights while also keeping
not unlike crimping fabric. wastage to a minimum. in-Shop.
Pan said in conclusion, “The
SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION REALISATIONS structure is a direct and clear
The architectural team procured The ultimate goal Pan had when communication of Herman Miller’s
the plywood from sycamore designing and constructing brand identity and philosophy as well
trees in a managed forestry, and Fabricwood was to lay the as Xtra’s aspirations as a multi-brand
manufactured all their panels – glued groundwork in this new way of store.” WIA
M
By Michael Buckley anufacturing both solid Australia, India and the Middle East
wood and engineered and USA, but with current targets also
flooring, the New Oasis plant in Europe and elsewhere. The parent
A couple of hours drive in Banfu draws hardwood species group is engaged in manufacturing
from all over the world, including building products such as doors,
out of Guangzhou in
American red and white oak, walnut, stairs and cabinets, maintaining
the small town of Banfu,
hard maple, elm, ash and hickory. marketing offices in USA, Europe and
is the substantial plant
The company also produces flooring the United Arab Emirates.
of Zhongshan New from species as far afield as Brazil, The flooring production itself
Oasis Wood Industry such as Ipe and from local species represents diversity with a great
Co. Ltd., essentially a like Chinese ‘teak’; though not choice of finishes in several series
flooring company that tectona grandis. with many colours, including hand-
is diversified in many Marketing is also diversified with scraped, distressed and brushed
respects and member of about 55 per cent of sales made surfaces in narrow and wide boards
the larger Susfor-Oasis domestically all over China by an as well as custom and standard
Wood (Zhongshan) Co., Ltd army of sales staff through retail parquet panels.
group, which also operates outlets and directly to developers The company, now quoted on
in China’s hungry property market. the Hong Kong stock exchange
overseas forest resources.
The balance 45 per cent is shipped (Stock Code: HK-00692), is about
to a diverse range of as many as 30 16 years old and situated on a
international markets, particularly spacious site in the town itself.
O
ne may be mistaken into wood substitute suitable for a wide on to the timber construction business
thinking that ONEWOOD is a variety of applications: structural at the turn of the millennium when
real solid length of lumber. It elements, doors, windows, paneling, the Internet all but made trading and
looks, feels and even acts like wood; furniture, flooring and fit-outs for both procurement jobs redundant.
it is flexible, versatile and easy to cut, indoors and outside. It is one of the first in Singapore to
machine, profile, bend and carve. ONEWOOD is the product of many invest in robotics and many other
But the “reconstituted timber”— years of trial and error, invented, integrated software to achieve
as inventors call it—is actually researched and developed by accuracy and precision for pre-
compressed cellular wood fibres Singapore-based timber construction fabrication works. “Anything that
sourced from sustainable and fast- company Pacific Forest Products. goes out of the factory and up on a
growing plantations in Asia. It is a Started in 1988 as timber traders, roof must fit well,” says Jason Chang,
high-density, homogenous, reusable this small-medium enterprise moved founder of Pacific Forest Products.
Because of its density, ONEWOOD is very durable for flooring especially in high traffic areas.
Every curved
lamella in this roof
canopy is different. To
create this, Pacific Forest had
to create individual moulds. A total
of 270m3 of Balau was installed for this
luxury condominium in Singapore.
“
Pacific Forest Products has worked on many luxury hospitality projects
around the world, such as this one in Bora Bora.
O N E WO O D h a s b e e n
profiled into many types of wood
products such as odd-shaped
handrails and people have no
”
idea that it is man-made.
T
he world’s first building made people and for the beauty, strength 1.1m3 of American ash, equivalent
from hardwood cross-laminated and warmth inherent to American to around 55.22m 3 and 2.1m 3
timber (CLT) has opened in the tulipwood. Wood is known to respectively of sawn wood before
UK. Designed by dRMM Architects significantly reduce blood pressure, processing, which in turn comes from
and supported by the American heart rates and recovery times. It has around 115.7m3 of logs.
Hardwood Export Council, Maggie’s more health and well-being benefits Maggie’s Oldham is also
Oldham “proves that a building than any other building material, significant in that it demonstrates the
made of tulipwood CLT is possible, according to Wood Housing benefits of building with tulipwood
and it can be done on a strict Humanity Report 2015. This makes CLT—its unparalleled strength and
budget and in record time,” David the material the right fit, structurally lightness, speed of construction and
Venables, European Director of and conceptually. sustainability. American tulipwood is
AHEC, said. This pioneering piece of approximately 70 per cent stronger
Maggie’s is a charity that provides permanent architecture is in bending than a typical CLT grade
practical and emotional support to constructed from more than 20 softwood.
people living with cancer. panels of five layer cross-laminated Tulipwood CLT is one of the most
dRMM chose tulipwood for the American tulipwood, ranging in size sustainable timber species because
design of Maggie’s Oldham for from 0.5m – 12m long. It contains of how fast it replenishes, through
the positive influence wood has on 27.6m3 of American tulipwood and natural growth alone. All the logs
(tulipwood and ash) will be replaced only structurally and visually, but commissioned by Prof de Rijke and
in just 120 seconds. conceptually. An elevated, open AHEC for the Wish List project for
The material was first invented plan, all-timber and glass building London Design Festival 2014. It is
in 2013, a collaboration between - with trees growing through it, and built by Benchmark Furniture from
dRMM Architects, AHEC, and Arup, every detail considered from the recycled tulipwood CLT. The top was
for a London Design Festival project, perspective of use, health, and left over from the Wish List and the
The Endless Stair. Arup’s engineering delight - was always going to be base is made from off-cuts of CLT
calculations showed the structure special,” Prof de Rijke commented. that came from the windows and
could have supported 100 people “Maggie’s Oldham has a built-in, doors of Maggie’s Oldham.
at any one time. This was the first very visible holistic design message For AHEC, Maggie’s Oldham
time a hardwood species was used that supports the central aims of is one of the most important
to make CLT. the design – to uplift and offer developments in a decade of
The boundaries of this material hope to people living with cancer. research and development into
were further tested in The Smile, a The applications for sustainably structural timber innovation and
structurally ambitious installation for grown hardwood, particularly fast- one that could broaden the use
the 2016 London Design Festival. growing tulipwood CLT is endless. The of CLT in the construction industry.
environmental, structural and visual The creation of this product and
DESIGN ELEMENTS qualities are demonstrated explicitly significant use of hardwood will
dRMM co-founder Prof Alex de at dRMM’s Maggie’s; a manifesto transform the way architects
Rijke’s experiments with engineered for wood as the natural choice and engineers approach timber
timber have progressed during 30 for contemporary architecture construction.
years in practice and academia. of physical and psychological “This structure proves that
“From the Oldham project well-being.” hardwoods have a role to play in
inception we knew it was the The main kitchen table is a the timber construction revolution,”
right material for Maggie’s, not design by Barnby Day that was Mr Venables concluded. WIA
L
IGNA, held every two years in Gruchow, Deutsche Messe Managing
Hannover, is the world’s largest Board member in charge of LIGNA,
woodworking machinery fair for a said.
reason. Spanning Manufacturers
129,000sqm, and
1,500 exhibitors,
LIGNA 2017: Technology offering machines
for timber
participating construction,
companies
always take this
for timber construction flooring, windows
and doors, pre-
opportunity to launch new innovations and solutions. fabricated panels were also represented, completing
This year, “Industry 4.0 concepts for the wood industry the wide range of products on show. Featured here
were the dominant theme, with a major emphasis on are some of them, shedding light on how CLT or glulam
digitalisation, integration and automation,” Dr Andreas panels are manufactured.
V
isitors were presented with a wide range
of processing machines for timber
construction.
One of the highlights was the ROBOT-Drive, which
offers many processing possibilities with a 6-axis
ROBOT unit and 16-fold tool changer. Equipped
with an additional sawing unit, the ROBOT-Drive
performs all trimming tasks right up to mass
trimming. It is a machine that is profitable for all
types of timber construction companies, including
those manufacturing large prefabricated panels.
The second highlight was the SPM-2 automatic
plate processing machine. Equipped with a 5-axis
circular saw, finger milling cutter, drilling and
labeling unit, the “Speed Panel Machine” not
ROBOT-Drive
only performs the fully automated panel cutting,
TURBO-Drive
but also mills and drills all the openings required
in practice. Its high precision and sensitivity to
surfaces also makes the SPM-2 a machine of
choice for facade builders.
The TURBO-Drive cutting machine is flexible
and precise cross sections of 20 x 40mm to 160 x
450mm can be cut very quickly. In addition, the
machine can also perform drilling and milling work
and all types of marking, making it an all-rounder.
At the heart of the TURBO-Drive is the flexible
saw unit for any angle and inclination cuts. The
5-axis saw unit, which can be rotated 360 °
and 180 ° at the same time makes it possible to
produce fast, precise and high surface quality in
addition to all conceivable saw cuts. WIA
MINDA:
Maker of the
The TimberPress X 331 is designed for a
world’s largest production volume of 15,000 – 20,000 m³ per shift.
CLT press
The world’s biggest CLT press,
capable of pressing boards of 20 x 6m
M
INDA is currently building the world’s biggest glue application or board geometry are completely
CLT press for an European manufacturer of recorded for every CLT board.
prefabricated houses with a maximum board
size of 20 x 6m. HYDRAULIC PRESS FOR GLULAM: PRESSING IN
The TimberPress X 160 is the present enhancement of FIVE CHAMBERS
MINDA’s hydraulic CLT press system. The rotor press with five chambers can be used for
Edge-glued cross and length layers are pressed to CLT customised or bulk production.
elements with 0,6 N/mm² (or a total pressing load of 7200 • Max glulam dimensions 18,100mm x 300mm; pressing
tonnes). In case of a capacity of 16 cycles per shift the height up to 1,200 mm
material handling, the glue application and the press • Minimum cutting and planing waste due to
are designed for a yearly production of 120,000 m³ for adjustable pressing length and hydraulic side
a 1-shift operation. pressure within a grid of 1,000mm
• Flexible production of glulam with different lengths
MINDA CONTROL SERVER (MCS) CONTROLS in one pressing chamber
THE LINE • Perfect quality and highest level of process reliability
The MINDA-Control-Server (MCS) is a master computer by pressing force monitoring and regulation during
system that links production planning and computers. pressing operation
All production data are held in the server. All machines • Optimal cleanliness and accessibility due to vertical
involved in this production process can read this data. All package assembly; separate stations for feeding
relevant pressing data such as duration, pressing force, and discharge
TimberPress R 512
1 7
2 0
ia E
cobuild
( S E A )
As concluded
with 14,068 attendees, an
ut
(ICW) 2017, the event was hosted by
the Construction Industry Development
So
Board (CIDB) Malaysia, and organised by UBM
Malaysia.
“
Where the world of wood meets” was the launch PROMOTING WOOD
slogan for Sylva Wood at the inaugural event in 2015. As part of the two and a half day event, a full programme
From June 26 – 28, that became a reality as exhibitors of seminars was presented by experts on a range of
from 13 countries participated, entirely focused on wood wood-related subjects.
as a material. Mike Snow, executive director of the American
American, Russian, Malaysian and local Hardwood Export Council, presented data
wood distribution companies were the on the American hardwood trade with
leading groups of exhibitors followed by China and explained some of the recent
Scandinavian, European, Australian work by AHEC in the field of technology
and Canadian suppliers to the and innovation. In particular Snow
huge Chinese market. Hardwoods, drew attention to the importance of
softwoods, wood-based panels and creating strong demand for wood
veneer all ranked strongly without the products in order to ensure the
distraction of machinery and services incentive to maintain all the world’s
that so many international shows suffer. forests and avoid their conversion to
The annual show is also unique in other uses, such as palm oil plantations.
that it attracts participation from furniture Showing science-backed data, he
and flooring manufacturers from the also stressed that wood has a far lower
Lance Tao, Marketing &
region; it is here that anyone in the timber Communications Director, carbon footprint than other apparently
profession can stand to benefit from debate, Canada Wood environmentally-friendly materials such as
dialogue and discourse; it is also Asia’s only recycled plastic or aluminium. He also pointed out the
specialised show. environmental benefits of hardwood CLT insofar as it
A visitor studying the bedside lamp-and-vase creation, Visitors and exhibitors stand to benefit from
winner of the Sylva – CX Joy Wood Awards. debate and dialogue at the show
A
rchXpo 2017 will arrive at just the right time to (SIC) 2017 and SIC Master Class 2017.
cater to the needs of the growing building and ArchXpo 2017 will be a one-stop networking hub for
construction scene as the industry looks set for exhibitors and buyers to grasp the opportunity to interact
investments in the coming years. and network with fellow industry professionals. Exhibitors
The 4th International Exhibition of Architecture & the can utilise ArchXpo to market and launch new solutions,
Built Environment will be held at Marina Bay Sands from technologies and products to trade buyers.
October 4 – 6. It is co-organised by the Singapore Institute The organisers expect exhibitors to clinch over an
of Architects and Conference & Exhibition Management estimated $31 million of sales over the next 12 months. WIA
Services Pte Ltd (CEMS).
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) projects
the total value of construction contracts to reach
between S$28 – 35 Bn.
Occupying both convention halls B and C, the
exhibition is part of the Architecture & Building Services
(ABS) 2017 show and will occupy 10,000sqm of exhibition
August
2 – 5 Aug The Hotel Show Manila, Philippines www.hotelshowphilippines.com
3 – 5 Aug Builders Myanmar Yangon, Myanmar www.buildmyanmar.com
23 – 25 Aug VIFA Woodmac Vietnam 2017 Binh Duong, Vietnam www.vifawoodmacvietnam.com
September
12 – 14 Sep BEX Asia 2017 Singapore www.bex-asia.com
12 – 14 Sep International Green Building Conference 2017 Singapore www.gevme.com
October
4 – 6 Oct ArchXpo 2017 Singapore www.archxpo.com.sg
24 - 26 Oct Build Tech Asia 2017 Singapore www.buildtechasia.com
November
1 – 4 Nov China Yiqu International Forest Products Fair Yiwu, China www.forestryfair.com
7 – 10 Nov Fenestration BAU China Shanghai, China www.fenestration.com.cn
8 – 10 Nov The Big 5 Construct Indonesia Jakarta, Indonesia www.thebig5constructindonesia.com
9 – 12 Nov Korea Wood Show Seoul, Korea www.koreawoodshow.org
December
7 – 10 Dec Fensterbau Frontale India Mumbai, India www.frontale-india.com
March
6 – 9 Mar Architecture + Construction Materials Tokyo, Japan www.messe.nikkei.co.jp
8 – 11 Mar IFFS Singapore www.iffs.com.sg
8 – 12 Mar India Wood Bangalore, India www.indiawood.com
9 – 12 Mar Build+Décor 2018 Beijing, China www.build-decor.net
14 – 17 Mar Shanghai Design Week Shanghai, China www.designshanghai.com
18 – 21 Mar CIFF Guangzhou, China www.ciff-gz.com
20 – 23 Mar Domotex Asia/ China Floor Shanghai, China www.domotexasiachinafloor.com
21 – 23 Mar International Building and Construction Trade Fair Shanghai, China www.shfair-cbd.no4e.com
21 – 24 Mar CIDE 2018 Beijing, China www.door-expo.com
28 – 31 Mar CIFM/ interzum guangzhou Guangzhou, China www.interzum-guangzhou.com
April
17 – 22 Apr Salone de Mobile Milano Milan, Italy www.salonemilano.it
27 – 29 Apr EcoBuild Southeast Asia Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.ecobuildsea.com
May
2 – 6 May IndoBuildTech Jakarta 2018 Jakarta, Indonesia www.indobuildtech.com
15 – 17 May Guangzhou International Wooden House & Wooden Structure Fair 2018 www.muwuz.com
30 – 1 Jun Carrefour Int’l du bois Nantes, France www.timbershow.com
June
13 – 15 Jun Chengdu China Building & Decoration Materials Expo Chengdu, China www.cdjbh.cn
25 – 27 Jun Sylva Wood 2018 Shanghai, China www.sylvawoodexpo.com
August
20 – 23 Aug World Conference on Timber Engineering Seoul, Korea www.wcte2018.kr/home
COMPANY PAGE
American Lumber 7
ArchExpo 43
Baillie Lumber 11