Spread across 13,000 sq.ft. the workshop features 56 cubic meters of western hemlock, yellow cedar and Douglas -fir
CEPT Centre of Excellence Workshop’s commercial demonstration of Douglas-fir glue-laminated beams. The building also showcases varied B.C. wood species in other structural and interior applications.
British Columbia (B.C.), Canada’s wood product technology and building expertise is now being used in a new building built at the CEPT University, Ahmedabad. This is a result of a MOU signed between Forestry Innovation Consulting India (FII India) and CEPT University in 2016 wherein FII India provided the University with 56 cubic meters of wood to build the workshop. Additionally, FII India’s support on technical assistance and procurement support went a long way in making this vision a reality.
Dr. Bimal Patel, President – CEPT University and Tim Sheldan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, British Columbia (centre) with a delegation of B.C. lumber companies at the CEPT University workshop
Named as the “Centre of Excellence Workshop”, the building spread across 13,000 sq.ft. houses workshops for students of architecture and design across seven disciplines. The workshop extensively uses Douglas-fir, western hemlock and yellow-cedar. It is arguably one of India’s first large-scale commercial demonstration of long-spanned 28 cubic meters of Douglas-fir glued laminated beams. The successful introduction of Douglas-fir glue laminated beams (glulam), a product not previously used in India was made to order for CEPT. Specifically 33 glulam arches, each 11 metres in length were shipped from B.C. and installed by a local builder. Each beam had to be individually unpacked from its container by crane, stored onsite, prepared and installed in sequence as roof arches via onsite crane. This innovative wood technology uses timber that is joined together end-to-end, then glued together in laminations using waterproof, state-of-the-art adhesives, creating nearly unbounded possible beam depths and lengths in curved and straight configurations.
Exterior view of the CEPT University workshop featuring 33 Douglas-fir glue laminated beams (glulam) arches
Dr. Bimal Patel, President – CEPT University said, “CEPT emphasizes the method of learning by making. For our students, this building provides a very good example of the innovative and sustainable use of materials. We will continue to explore new ways of using wood for our future projects.”
Designed by Gurdev Singh, Principal Architect says, “We started with a brief of making a place which inspires students to explore. It became essential for us to introduce new materials and technology. To us there was no better sustainable material as timber combined with the glulam technology.”
Tim Sheldan, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development, British Columbia addresses the audience at the CEPT University workshop
The workshop uses B.C. wood species in not only structural use but also in interiors. This encompasses structural and appearance elements such as furniture, beams, purlins, fascia, partitions, doors and door frames, window frames, trims, wall framing, false ceilings and wall panelling.
33 Douglas-fir glue laminated beams (glulam) arches, each 11 metres in length
Pranesh Chhibber, Country Director, FII India said, “Canada has over 10% of the world’s total forest cover with B.C. alone accounting for over 50% of Canada’s total lumber exports with zero deforestation over last two decades. This makes B.C. well positioned as a long term reliable source. The CEPT Centre of Excellence Workshop is an outstanding example of how British Columbia’s innovative wood technology and materials can be used effectively in a building of this size. It demonstrates how innovative construction techniques are expanding opportunities for wood far beyond just interior woodworking. Douglas-fir and western hemlock are perfect for post & beam structures, pre-fabricated homes and even cross-laminated timber (CLT).”
For more, visit: www.canadianwood.in