Archidex 2012 a platform for MTC’s successful debut
Posted on July 19, 2012, Thursday
KUCHING: The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) made its inaugural participation in the 13th Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition, Malaysia (Archidex 2012) to create awareness amongst industry members on the quality and availability of local timber.
According to its press release yesterday, MTC also took the opportunity to educate industry professionals and building specifiers on Glulam or glued-laminated timber at the exhibition which was held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 4 to 7, 2012.
An advocate of Glulam since 2005, MTC’s booth showcased the unique characteristics of the versatile timber construction material. Glulam is a highly engineered product that is flexible, stronger than steel, fire resistant, and most importantly, ecologically sustainable.
Cheah Kam Huan, chief executive officer of MTC said Archidex 2012 offered MTC a platform to network with key players of the industry.
“It gives us the opportunity to share and exchange views and experiences with them, and to discuss challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the local timber industry, particularly in the use of Glulam. Glulam is still new in the local timber and construction industry but it has a huge potential to grow and to shape the future of the country’s architectural landscape in a big way.
“Glulam has been successfully used in various large span, pillar-less structures, like stadiums and bridges all over the world for the past 100 years,” he added.
According to Wooi Lok Kuang, principal of Wooi Architect, Glulam promoted the efficient use of timber resource as it had the capability to produce simple yet creative architectural solutions.
“A greater understanding of local timber and a wider interest by the younger generation of architects to explore and experiment with Glulam is vital,” Wooi said.
“MTC can encourage architects to play a bigger role in fostering a local architectural identity by organising competitions that evoke architects’ imagination to develop aesthetically beautiful and high quality buildings made from Glulam,” he added.
Toh Chee Lip, a furniture design lecturer at PJ College of Art & Design who visited MTC’s booth, commended the council’s participation in this year’s Archidex 2012 as it provided valuable information and encouraged a greater understanding of the fundamental material properties of timber available in Malaysia.
“Unfortunately, not many designers and architects are able to identify the correct timber material for construction. Hence, they do not recognise the advantages of the different species of timber.
“I hope MTC will extend and enhance awareness programmes for the public and industry members to encourage the use of local timber and to promote sustainability,” said Toh.
Timber manufacturer, Kai H Lin echoed Toh’s sentiments on how MTC’s booth was effective in informing the exhibition visitors about the timber industry as a whole as well as its latest developments and products in the market.
“I think MTC is heading in the right direction by promoting Glulam as it has many beneficial qualities that make it ideal for use in construction.
“However, there are still misconceptions in Malaysia about timber not being a sophisticated material. Timber is used in various sectors, from the construction of buildings to the building of airplanes. More efforts should be done to change this mindset and explain how the timber industry greatly contributes to the country’s economic development,” Kai added.
Based on the very encouraging response from visitors for its first participation at Archidex 2012, MTC had been looking forward to partaking in more on-ground activities to share and gain insights from members of the industry.
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