The Bhutanese Leading the way.
One of the early structures that will come up in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is a Mass Engineered Timber factory or production unit.
This will be required early on because the specialized Glue Laminated Timber will be required for the construction of the GMC International Airport which is supposed to be complete by 2029 with construction starting in July this year.
This special timber will also be needed for a host of other structures in GMC like the special bridges and other structures as the main construction material used in GMC will be timber.
The factory is expected to require an investment of around Nu 1 billion and it is looking at a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters production per year.
Bhutan will not be new to Mass Engineered Timber as it was used in the construction of the Dungkar Dzong, the entrance and the campus structures around it, just that it has to be considerably scaled up now.
Glue Laminated Timber is where huge timber structures are compressed and glued. This special timber is a load bearing structure by itself which removes the need for pillars and columns. It will also be made fire resistant. This timber will come into use in the construction of the airport terminal to be made entirely of such timber.
A big advantage of such a project is that it will use local timber and treat it. A source said that timer will have durability, strength and flexibility and can be designed and molded into different shapes.
Inside the Dungkar Dzong the timber was used in the multi-purpose hall, dining areas and the Founder’s Court.
Once the factory meets the local needs of the GMC it will also be looking at export potential in the region.
