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MAF's Perspective
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2010, Issue N.Z.J.For. 55(2) 2010, pp 6, Aug 2010Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry
Abstract: MAF is the most unlikely participant in the NMIT building, but was also the most crucial. Without their $1million “timber design” prize, it just wouldn’t have happened. And the reason for this, they firmly believe, is that building owners, quantity surveyors, engineers and architects have been caught in a Catch 22 situation: they don’t dare risk a timber design with a modern commercial building because there is no track record of such structures. A prototype example would give them the confidence to estimate the cost and other characteristics of a wooden option. MAF wanted a building that would showcase timber and would be available for engineering students to study. The NMIT building was ideal for the purpose: it is multi-storey, commercial rather than residential, innovative, and should display timber at its best.