KUCHING: Sarawak has the opportunity to develop a new industry that is green, global and equipped with high technology.
According to Richard Kirk, the Principal Director of KIRK, as Sarawak is uniquely positioned in the South East Asia region, it could be one of the largest providers of engineered wood to the region.
He said the government needs to take the leadership role in terms of encouraging the industry by reviewing regulations that enable the use of engineered wood in the construction and building industry.
“The government can also help in terms of supporting catalyst projects that demonstrate the benefits and knowledge associated with engineered wood buildings to the community.
“With the new industry which is very high-tech such as digital manufacturing, digital design and all sorts of jobs of the future, it’s a great combination of a forward-looking industry that provides greater enrichment in terms of the jobs created for the people of Sarawak,” said Kirk at the International Conference on Engineered Wood held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here, Tuesday (May 16).
Kirk said Sarawak is well-placed in the region, in which most countries engaged in the industry do not have plenty of land but Sarawak has the capacity to develop and already has an extend of plantation forestry but lacks manufacturing, design and regulatory framework.
“It is really important that the entire industry from the government down to the regulations are on board in moving forward with new products such as engineered wood and critical to adopt new technologies,” he said.
Noting that the world is facing climate change which is driven by carbon emission, Kirk said using engineered wood in the building industry is considered a climate-positive product.
“Timber is actually a climate positive product compared to conventional building materials.
“So, using timber means less carbon in the atmosphere and a more sustainable construction industry,” he said.
Founded in 1995, KIRK is a technical, process driven practice with expertise in architecture, urban design and environmentally sustainable design, with studios in Brisbane, Australia and Kuala Lumpur.
