Photo: Supplied
The use of mass timber in building in New Zealand is minor compared to steel and concrete - but it is growing in its use and popularity.
Mass timber is engineered by laminating thin sheets of wood together - most commonly - to make a much stronger form of wood that can be used as beams, columns, floors or roofs.
There are several recently completed major projects - including a Kainga Ora housing complex in Auckland as well as a student accommodation building in Dunedin.
Another proposed site hit the headlines this week after commissioners in Auckland declined a consent for a 10 and 11-storey mass timber office block because of the scale of the development and its impact on the area.
Proponents say as it needs no fossil fuels to build - it is seen as a more sustainable option than the more traditional steel and concrete.
But there are concerns that mass timber production needs to be linked with good forestry practices.
And insurers overseas have been reluctant to back projects, because of concerns around fire risk and water damage.
Nate Helbach founded and is chief executive of Neutral - a sustainable building developer.
His company is behind the 31-storey mass timber tower The Edison being built in downtown Milwaukee.
Nate Helbach is in New Zealand due to speak at the New Zealand Institute of Building conference in the next couple of days.
Photo: Øyvind Holmstad
