Luxury Abu Dhabi resort gets NZ timber

Global Timber Homes has just started work with local partners Al Ahmadiah Contracting and Trading on the NZ$6 million project, creating a large over-water restaurant built from New Zealand’s most hard working timber, radiata pine. 

The unusual construction method will see it built on solid sand, which will then be sucked away from the concrete pilings and platform on completion, to create the over-water effect.

The build is a rare break with tradition for the mainly concrete-based Middle Eastern construction process. The UK-based architects specified timber as the product that would give the desired look and feel, as well as a sustainable environment alternative.

They chose Global Timber Homes, a joint venture between McIntosh Timber Laminates and Timber Construction Solutions, because of their expertise in timber laminates and construction, and a history of success in using timber to create architecturally inspired solutions.

McIntosh has been exporting high value custom designed glue laminated arches and beams for over 40 years, whilst Timber Construction Solutions are a long-time exporter of pre-cut homes, whose owners developed advanced management systems to ensure construction can be successfully completed in locations far from New Zealand.

John Wootton, of Global Timber Homes, says the Al Raha restaurant is the JV’s first contract in the Middle East and the result of four years hard work establishing the business’s credentials there.

He says the company’s positive can-do attitude encouraged the specifiers to choose them - and timber - for the spectacular structure.

As well as building two timber houses over water in the Palm Jebel Ali complex in Dubai to demonstrate both the company’s capabilities and New Zealand timber’s impeccable credentials, Global Timber Homes also worked extensively with NZTE to establish its market position and put a staff member on the ground to liaise with architects and specifiers.

These intertwined steps were critical to success, according to Wootton.  “Having someone in the country shows you’ve made a commitment to growing the business.  Equally, assistance and backing from NZTE meant we were could demonstrate we had the New Zealand Government behind us.  That was crucial in weaving the relationships that are the fabric of Middle Eastern projects.”

The Al Raha Restaurant project is expected to be completed in early 2010 and will use 10 container loads of New Zealand-certified renewable resource timbers.  Global Timber Homes uses only timber that has New Zealand Government certification for strength and durability through its treatment process.

Ian Lockie, NZTE Sector Manager, Specialised Manufacturing, has a long association with Global Timber Homes in the Middle East.  He says the company has a market advantage by linking certified timber from New Zealand to the New Zealand building system - a linkage creating a guarantee unmatched by constructors from other countries.

Contracts being sought by Global Timber Homes are at the high value end of the market, with a design currently on the drawing boards for 500 over water homes for Palm Jebel Ali. John Wootton says distance is not an issue for Middle Eastern countries accustomed to importing almost all their materials, but the, to them, radical concept of using timber in complex and architecturally challenging structures is slowly changing.

“Our work in the Middle East is showing that New Zealand timber, impeccable processes and construction using smart technology can create sustainable, environmentally effective and ultra-high quality buildings.”