PROFILE: SYSTEMIC CHANGE

Dr David Bylund – Wesbeam Tall Timber Building Systems.

Dr David Bylund has a vision to devise a systembased approach to Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) construction and to show industry practitioners how to use it effectively.

Bylund’s recent appointment to Wesbeam looks set to foster greater understanding and uptake of this material. Wesbeam has gained a reputation in the LVL market as a specialist supplier of high quality products for the tall timber building system and residential construction industry.

Utilising a sustainable resource of Western Australian State Government managed pine trees and bolstered by an extensive research and laboratory testing capability, Wesbeam’s LVL manufacturing program has made it a leader in the Australian market, offering a suite of products across roofing, wall, floor, formwork and scaffolding applications.

Bylund joined Wesbeam in late 2017 in the newly created position of Team Lead for Wesbeam’s new Tall Timber Building Systems division, signalling a new direction for the company. His role is to provide workable design solutions using LVL based building systems for mid-rise and commercial buildings through the provision of consultative design assistance to architects, engineers, developers, builders, all levels of government, complementary systems suppliers, prefabricators other relevant parties.

It’s a natural progression from his most recent previous position as Program Development Manager at Forest and Wood Products Australia FWPA / Wood Solutions Mid-rise Advisory Program, where he collaborated regularly with Peter Law, Technical Manager at Wesbeam and Dennis Cullity, Director at Wesbeam.

“A Gold Sponsor of FWPA, Wesbeam had a strong focus on encouraging the specification of their product. What resulted from our interactions was my recommendation and that of colleagues to set up a new division of Wesbeam to focus on solutions for tall timber buildings.”

“It’s about a lot more than just wall plates and studs. There’s a suite of ways in which LVL is used and this is one of its key points of difference. It can be utilised as a plate, beam or post. If you’re using CLT, you’re looking at plate only; if you’re using Glulam – column only, so there are some really good opportunities for LVL in terms of its versatility.”

“It’s about a lot more than just wall plates and studs. There’s a suite of ways in which LVL is used and this is one of its key points of difference. It can be utilised as a plate, beam or post. If you’re using CLT, you’re looking at plate only; if you’re using Glulam – column only, so there are some really good opportunities for LVL in terms of its versatility.”
Dr David Bylund – Wesbeam.

Dr Bylund is well positioned to drive Wesbeam’s new direction. His track record in timber construction is proven; a qualified architect with 15 years’ experience, he is a committed proponent of timber design and advanced prefabrication methodologies. His career trajectory also includes a Research Fellowship at University of Tasmania (UTAS) under Greg Nolan, Director of the UTAS Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood. He also has a PhD. in Architecture, Offsite Construction and Engineered Timber from the University of Western Australia and is the recipient of adjunct research positions at both the University of Western Australia and The University of Tasmania.

Workable design solutions: Wesbeam is focused on optimising LVL based building systems for mid-rise and commercial buildings.

Since taking on his new role he has implemented key initiatives. “One of my first tasks was to begin learning about the company’s manufacturing processes and products. Since then I’ve been leading a team to systematically codify Wesbeam’s offering into a format that can be used by the design, fabrication and construction sector.”

“Essentially we’ve divided Wesbeam’s generic structural typology into horizontal and vertical elements. Building elements that form the horizontal components of a structure, such as floors and beams, are defined as Horizontal Structural Elements (HZ); elements that form the vertical components of a structure, such as structural wall frames and columns, are defined as Vertical Structural Elements (VT).”

The result will be a document in guideline / handbook form, launched at the Wood Solutions Built Evolution Conference in Perth on 21 April, with a definitive iteration expected to be published by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the Wesbeam Tall Timber Partnership program is designed to allow members exclusive access to resources and information and, with sub-programs targeting specific industry segments from fabricators to designers, to foster greater collaboration between Wesbeam and industry. Design solutions using LVL can be created independently or in conjunction with participants in the Wesbeam Design Professional Partner Program and the Wesbeam Fabricator Partner Program for all Australian building classes in low, mid and highrise construction.

He adds that a future focus of R+D will entail identifying lifting methodologies for Wesbeam elements. Developing thicker elements for tall commercial buildings is another.

“For example, we were recently asked by major developers to identify and design mass LVL columns for use in a multi-storey residential and office development up to 15 metres high. We were given the project as a case study consisting of four towers to be progressively built, with a requirement for 5000 columns for use in a large new development measuring 300 by 300.”

“As part of identifying solutions for that brief, I proposed to Wesbeam to look to establish an equipment procurement program to enable us to produce those ourselves. So a longer term plan for Wesbeam over the next six to 12 months is that this type of equipment be researched, purchased and installed.”

“I believe we’re unique in the Australian market in terms of the flexibility we can offer. We also have none of the issues around supply that other comparable companies might experience. We’ve just signed another 25 year lease to harvest and replace our raw material of Pinaster pine, so we’re guaranteed log supply over the long term.”

“I believe we’re unique in the Australian market in terms of the flexibility we can offer. We also have none of the issues around supply that other comparable companies might experience. We’ve just signed another 25 year lease to harvest and replace our raw material of Pinaster pine, so we’re guaranteed log supply over the long term.”
Dr David Bylund – Wesbeam.

Dr Bylund is keen to emphasise that a central tenet of his role lies in including architects and designers in the conversation about timber prefab solutions from scheme inception.

“As a practicing architect with a PhD in prefab timber structures for commercial buildings, I understand that world. I’ve always been concerned that architects can occasionally end up being isolated and don’t get to engage with the supply chain. I see educating other architects as a big part of my role and I’m really committed to leveraging LVL and Wesbeam’s offering to fast track and facilitate design journeys. As an architect, it’s second nature for me. I can walk into a practice and say: ‘Okay, show me what you know; I’ll show you what I know and we’ll find the solution together.” ■