Malaysian Timbers Used in Uniquely Creative Ways
Malaysian timber has come a long way since those days when designs of wood structures often mirrored the traditional, vernacular built forms in rural villages such as the ubiquitous village houses or native longhouses on stilts with thatched roofs. In recent years, the remarkable performance characteristics of many timber species found in Malaysia have allowed architects and designers to feature Malaysian woods in extraordinarily imaginative and creative ways that match beauty with functionality. The Nautique boathouse in Singapore, Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, the Shangri-la 's Villingili Resort and the Viceroy Resort in the Maldives each feature time-transcending designs that are testaments to the versatility and flexibility of the wide variety of timber species that can be sourced from Malaysian producers for innovative and experimental uses.
Docked at Raffles Marina, Singapore, an unusual looking structure with portholes and a huge timber drum is actually a boathouse named Nautique – the home of Kevin Hill and his wife Kelly Chan. Kevin is a member of the third generation of English professionals and craftsmen involved in the construction industry, specializing in timber. Having lived in Singapore since 1992, he understands tropical timbers very well and often specifies sustainably harvested Malaysian timbers that have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme as endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. As a specialist timber contractor, he conceived the idea of a boathouse that meets all the requirements of a boat with the comfort of an apartment. It is effectively a floating water villa, the construction of which did no harm to the seabed.
SPOTLIGHT ON: BALAU
Species: Shorea spp.
Origin: Southeast Asia / Philippines
Common Applications: Decking, plywood, veneer, heavy construction, flooring, frames of boats, and utility furniture.
Characteristics/Appearance: Balau refers to any number of woods of the Shorea genus. The coloration can vary from species to species, but in general the sapwood is lighter in color and is sharply defined from the heartwood. The heartwood is light to deep red or purple–brown and can also be yellow or grey-brown. The color darkens to a deep brown on exposure. Texture is moderately fine and even, with deeply interlocked grain.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1560 lbf
Comments: Balau looks similar to teak, only without the name recognition among consumers. It is very similar to teak wood and is an excellent choice for any outdoor structure or piece of furniture.
SPOTLIGHT ON: MERBAU, KWILA, IPIL
Species: Intsia spp.
Origin: East Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia
Common Applications: Indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, decking and musical instruments.
Characteristics/Appearance: Merbau has an orange-brown color when freshly cut. As it ages, it turns into a darker reddish-brown color. Its grain is straight to interlocked with a coarse texture.
Janka Hardness Scale: 1,840 lbf
Comments: Merbau has strong characteristics, stability and durability. It is resistant to rotting and insect attack. It also glues and finishes very well.
The balau-clad drum of the Nautique is actually the stair tower and not a flue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Nautique boathouse in Singapore?+
The Nautique is a boathouse docked at Raffles Marina, Singapore, and home to Kevin Hill and Kelly Chan. It functions as a floating water villa that meets the requirements of a boat with the comfort of an apartment, and its construction did no harm to the seabed.
What Malaysian timber was used to clad the Nautique's stair tower?+
The distinctive drum-shaped stair tower of the Nautique is clad in balau, a durable Malaysian hardwood.
What certification ensures Malaysian timbers are sustainably harvested?+
Malaysian timbers can be certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme, which is endorsed by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
What are the characteristics and uses of balau wood?+
Balau (Shorea spp.) has a moderately fine, even texture with deeply interlocked grain and heartwood ranging from light to deep red, purple-brown, yellow, or grey-brown that darkens on exposure. With a Janka hardness of 1560 lbf, it is commonly used for decking, plywood, veneer, heavy construction, flooring, boat frames, and utility furniture.
How does balau compare to teak?+
Balau looks very similar to teak but lacks teak's consumer name recognition. It is an excellent choice for outdoor structures and furniture.
What are the properties of merbau wood?+
Merbau (Intsia spp.) is orange-brown when freshly cut and ages to a darker reddish-brown, with straight to interlocked grain and a coarse texture. With a Janka hardness of 1,840 lbf, it is stable, durable, resistant to rotting and insect attack, and glues and finishes well, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor furniture, flooring, decking, and musical instruments.