‘Lego-style’ prefabrication could hold the key to fast, affordable, and energy-efficient construction as global governments develop 2030 roadmaps for net-zero infrastructure.
That is, according to Assembly Corp, a Toronto-based builder that this week received a CA $1.25m from a new investment fund, known as the “The Atmospheric Fund,” which is backing mass-timber plug-and-play solutions to supercharge Canada’s net-zero transformation.
“Our interest in Assembly goes beyond just demonstrating that new building infill can be done affordably with low-carbon approaches,” according to TAF Vice President of Impact Investing Kristian Knibutat, who added that “this is just the type” of solution we need in the region to scale high-performance, affordable new construction projects.”
In recent years, Canada has emerged as a global leader in embracing prefabrication, 3D-Printing and mass timber as it ramps up construction to deliver up to 5.8 million ‘net zero’ low-rise and mid-rise dwellings by 2030.
As part of new Fire Codes in Vancouver, Canada is turning to mass timber systems to “deliver more homes near transit hubs by allowing taller buildings and more sustainable housing options near transit,” according to Ravi Kahlon, British Columbia’s Minister of Housing.
However, new and novel construction systems are not only used in low-rise and mid-rise residential projects; cross-laminated timber is emerging as the material of choice in the mining industry.
Last year, Wood Central reported that the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission – located in Northwestern Ontario, considered one of the world’s most promising regions for mineral exploration – has several benefits of using mass timber over traditional construction on remote mine sites.
According to Jamie Taylor, the commission’s CEO, the study presents “a compelling case for mass timber as the cornerstone for mineral development” for the first time.
The report, supported by the Thunder Bay-based Centre for Research and Innovation in Bio-economy (CRIBE), focused on using mass timber construction systems for the mining establishment infrastructure.
According to Chris Walton, the CEO of CRIBE, mass timber construction “presents a tremendous opportunity for the mining and resource development sectors to reduce their carbon footprint and project timelines.”
It was found that substituting steel and concrete for mass timber had “intrinsic long-term salvage value outperforms conventional lightweight construction” and that its advantage was reinforced “by its more enduring and resilient structural system, which makes multiple relocations possible without degradation.”
Already engineered wood products are being used as lightweight and sustainable alternatives for accommodation on some of the world’s largest infrastructure projects, including NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion gigicity.
Yesterday, Wood Central spoke to an Australian-based manufacturer of timber products, who confirmed that their product was being used to construct the workers’ accommodation for the LINE development (stay tuned for that case study!).
The surge in interest, fuelled by the UN, which now recognises “bio-based materials” as the preferred option to decarbonise the economy, has seen global powerhouses like Sumitomo invest heavily in mass timber to drive “built-to-rent” and “affordable housing projects” in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific (including Australia).
The aim, which has attracted growing interest across the political spectrum, is to increase density in urban areas through small-scale multi-unit housing and transit-oriented development, creating more mass timber opportunities to build homes more quickly with a lower carbon footprint.
Yesterday, Zach Smith, the National Secretary of Australia’s largest construction union, the CFMEU, called on the Australian Government to rapidly increase social and affordable housing.
“The federal government building houses to rent and buy isn’t a pie-in-the-sky dream; it’s already happening in Canberra,” Mr Smith, who added that the Australian Government “should look at the ACT scheme and expand it so we can give more Australians access to the right to affordable home ownership.”
And the union, which represents 120,000 Australian workers, is now practising what it preaches.
In 2022, the Australian Financial Review reported that the CFMEU was in talks with developers over a $300m mid-rise build-to-rent housing development.
“The union is upbeat about assisting in increasing the housing and rental supply in South-East Queensland as a positive contribution to an undersupplied market and demonstrating that projects can proceed and be profitable while delivering for the wider community,” CFMEU (QLD & NT Branch) secretary Michael Ravbar said in a statement.
In recent years, “build to rent” construction has been identified as a solution to the housing crisis, with Australia responsible for more than 60 projects either planned or in construction, according to Ernst & Young.
That includes a new Bluerock Projects four-storey development, approved by WA planning authorities late last year, comprising 51 new apartments.
Now under construction, it “has been designed to support the influx of people who are part of the flourishing town centre,” according to Kylee Schoonens, the principal of the national architectural firm Rothelowman.
Mr Hawley is a long-time supporter of large-scale timber projects and spoke to WoodSolutions ahead of the DeHavilland Apartments development.
At the time, he hoped “the knowledge and performance of timber framing and mass timber will grow and expand timber applications in construction and development in WA and nationally.”
That project, which uses engineered laminated veneer lumber (or LVL) Veneer for beams, columns and joists, will be prefabricated off-site and installed into place later this year.
