The first use of Sourcemap to show the journey of timber from the forests of Austria and Slovenia to the Changi Chapel & museum in Singapore
For the first time in Southeast Asia, a sophisticated supply chain traceability process has been used by Double Helix Tracking Technologies to identify the source of timber – in this case from sustainably managed forests in Austria and Slovenia – to be used in a building in Singapore, the historic Changi Chapel and Museum.
Satellite imagery from Global Forest Watch showing forest health in the area of harvest (Austria and Slovenia).
It also marks another first. Designed by Architects SG and built with “Glulam” – glue-laminated engineered wood - by Venturer Timberwork, the new Chapel structure is the first certified Chain of Custody Project awarded in Singapore by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which in turn is recognised by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC).
The Changi Chapel and Museum, which has been closed for extensive renovations since January 2019, highlights the history and stories of those who fought and lived bravely through World War II, during the Japanese Occupation. The National Heritage Board (NHB) advises that the revamped museum and chapel are expected to reopen later this year for the public to visit.
Darren Thomas, CEO of DoubleHelix says that the Sourcemap platform makes it possible to visualise and verify complex supply chain data, using such “next-generation transparency” to satisfy both the customer and final consumer.
“With Sourcemap, anyone can follow the journey of the wood right from its source and along every step of the way – demonstrating adherence to the highest standards of sustainable forest certification and supply chain management,” Darren points out.
Venturer Timberwork, which was established in Singapore in 1995 by Kevin Hill, has completed over 100 construction projects in markets all over the globe using sustainably sourced timber from forests on every continent.
Mr. Hill believes the Changi Chapel project is a "case in point" for future timber projects in Singapore and the region. “I expect it will act as a catalyst to help the market embrace not only the technology but the importance of responsibly-sourced and certified timber for buildings, thus displacing more carbon polluting structures and excluding illegal timber from entering the market.”
For the past three decades, visitors to the Changi Chapel have had few options to take shelter, whether from wet weather or too much sun. This sensitive addition to the historic property capitalises on factory-finished Glulam timber for main columns and beams, as well as decorative timber lantern diffusers.