conference paper
Mass timber construction offers notable health and well-being advantages aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3, according to a survey of 54 international and South African construction professionals, including architects and engineers. Overall, participants strongly recognised mass timber for improving indoor air quality and psychological well-being, yielding a high composite positive score. However, a distinct divergence exists between groups. While all international experts agreed on its comfort-related benefits, South African respondents displayed marked uncertainty regarding post-construction performance and indoor air quality. This hesitancy reflects broader local adoption hurdles, including limited industry familiarity, educational deficits, socio-cultural perceptions, and an absence of local demonstration projects. Addressing these gaps requires targeted professional training, supportive policies, and practical implementation frameworks to foster the uptake of mass timber within emerging construction markets.
Mass timber offers a pathway toward healthier and more sustainable built environments by supporting occupant well-being. Understanding how local practitioners view the material reveals critical obstacles to adoption. Pinpointing professional doubts and knowledge gaps enables targeted educational initiatives and policy interventions, helping emerging construction sectors transition toward sustainable building practices with greater confidence.
The findings are relevant to architectural practices, engineering firms, and timber suppliers seeking to introduce mass timber systems into emerging markets like South Africa. The research suggests that mass timber technology is commercially established internationally, but local adoption remains at an early developmental stage. Commercial progress in the region depends on addressing market readiness through local demonstration projects, targeted technical training for practitioners, and policy development.
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This study investigates the perceived contribution of mass timber (MT) construction to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) by analysing survey responses from 54 construction industry professionals, including engineers and architects from South Africa and international contexts. The findings reveal a notable divergence in perception: while 100% of international respondents agreed on the comfort-related benefits of MT, South African respondents demonstrated higher levels of uncertainty, particularly regarding indoor air quality and post-construction performance. Overall, respondents reported strong positive perceptions of MT’s contribution to health and well-being, with a composite mean score of 4.56 out of 5. High levels of agreement were observed for improved indoor air quality (mean = 4.51) and psychological well-being benefits (mean = 4.63). Despite strong global consensus, the results highlight limited familiarity and adoption barriers within the South African context, including educational gaps, lack of local demonstration projects, and socio-cultural perceptions. The study underscores the need for targeted industry education, policy support, and practical implementation strategies to facilitate the adoption of MT in emerging markets.
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DOI: 10.19164/tcot.2026.1936
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