There’s a feeling in France that it’s lagged behind other European countries in modern timber construction, particularly large-scale and high-rise building in engineered wood. But thanks to a government and private sector development programme, that looks set to change.
Two years ago President Hollande unveiled the Nouvelle France Industrielle initiative.
This identified 34 industrial sectors vital for the country’s long-term economic security and announced a range of support measures to back their fast-track development, including improving and benchmarking training, aiding investment, encouraging development of supportive ‘industry clusters’ and cutting red tape.
Among the lucky 34 was the timber industry and within it timber-based construction.
It was selected because of its environmental credentials and potential to help France hit emission targets and develop a lower carbon economy. It was also felt to be underperforming relative to its raw material resource.
With greater added value and wider timber use, it was forecast, the timber and related industries could generate 40-60,000 jobs.
They could also cut or even eliminate the current French wood and forest products (including paper) trade deficit of €6bn. The core element of the plan is to grow use of engineered wood and notably high-rise construction.
Frank Mathis, chief executive of Mathis, one of France’s biggest glulam manufacturers and engineered timber builders, heads the project, alongside Dominque Weber, boss of furniture maker Weber Industries, with the aim of also promoting wood fittings and furnishings in the new buildings.
At the same time a new body has been formed to bring the industry together behind the project.
Called Adivbois (development association for residential timber building), this includes builders, engineered wood producers, architects, engineers, local and central government, plus academic and research bodies (www.adivbois.org).
The target is to build up to 10 seven to 15 storey residential developments across France, aiming for a 30-storey timber structure by 2030. This may not seem a large number, but the hope is that they will inspire other projects across the country.
"They will be exemplars, highlighting what can be achieved with modern timber products," said Mr Mathis, adding that construction will be primarily in crosslaminated timber and glulam.
The buildings will be privately financed, but local and central authorities will help in other ways.
"They will be give preferential planning status," said Mr Mathis. "And we’ll work together to identify sites, aiming to complete this by mid 2016, ready for first construction starting next year or 2017."
He acknowledged that, if the project does fire very rapid increase in demand for engineered timber, the French industry may struggle.
"However, we’re positive investment will grow quickly," he said.
An education process will also be required to wean the French off masonry construction.
"But I don’t think we’ll have problems persuading people to live in timber high rise," said Mr Mathis. "Its performance is proven and surveys show French people like living with wood."
And it looks now as though France may be setting its timber building sights higher still. Paris has launched a competition ( www. reinventer.paris/en) for innovative urban construction projects, with the prize being their building consent. One entry tipped for success is Baobab, a 35-storey housing block designed by Canadian timber architect Michael Green.
"Just as Gustave Eiffel shattered conceptions for steel construction in Paris 150 years ago, this project can push the wood innovation envelope, with France at the forefront," he said.
Currently one of France’s joint tallest wood buildings is an eight-floor social housing block in St Di
