ROC know-how opens new doors for wood construction

2015/06/23

A wooden building utilizing cross-laminated timber technology in Taichung City, central Taiwan, is prompting architects to take a fresh look at one of the world’s oldest construction materials.

Located downtown in Xitun District, Woodtek Home Co. Ltd.’s five-story headquarters stands out like a lone tree in an urban jungle for its upside-down staircase design.

“The structure started life as a mock-up demonstrating CLT architecture for our clients,” said Stan Chiao, product manager with Woodtek. “Although it was built in just 20 days, the whole project took five years to realize.”

According to Chiao, CLT was licensed only after two years of testing by the Center for Architecture Performance Certification, followed by three years of examination by the Ministry of the Interior.

“Prefabricated CLT panels boast a lifespan of close to 200 years, as well as capability of withstanding 1,100 degrees Celsius and 10 tons of pressure per square meter,” he said, adding that the building’s exterior is reinforced with a protective layer to better weather the humid, quake-prone environment of Taiwan.

Since its completion in October last year, the eye-catching structure has spurred considerable interest among local architects in CLT as a green alternative to concrete and steel.

“Woodtek’s headquarters is truly a landmark achievement in terms of eco-awareness and environmental protection,” said Chen Chi-jen, a professor at National University of Kaohsiung’s Built Environment Sustainable Technology Center.

“The materials have less impact on the environment and reduce temperatures inside the building due to superior performance in heat convection and insulation. But the cost will have to come down before CLT can compete in the market with reinforced steel.”

Chen believes that such undertakings represent the future of construction at home and abroad. “Greater cross-sector efforts are key to making construction technology like CLT an integral component of sustainable development,” he said.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231777&ctNode=413)