Residential construction and disruptive events in the Greater Christchurch region: A study of the factors affecting the interplay between timber framing and steel framing

Abstract

This study focuses on two disruptive events that have occurred within the residential construction industry in the Greater Christchurch region of New Zealand. The first event that this study examines is the Canterbury earthquake sequence of 2010-2011. The estimated $NZD 45 billion in damage that resulted from this earthquake has made it the second highest insurance payout for a natural disaster in history globally (Omera, 2016). This caused changes to regulations in not only the insurance sector, but also prompted the New Zealand building industry to reassess the suitability of various building materials for seismic conditions. The second disruptive event that this study examines is the Covid-19 pandemic and the issues that this has caused in terms of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and price rises, further emphasising the need for resilient, cost-effective, and sustainable construction solutions. In response to these challenges, steel framing has been put forward as an alternative to conventional timber framing to provide a potential solution to the aforementioned challenges caused by these two disruptive events. The purpose of this research is to examine whether these two disruptive events influenced the choice of steel framing over timber framing as a building material for homes. It evaluates the factors influencing the adoption of steel framing in terms of resilience and long-term value over timber framing in New Zealand residential construction. Disaster Capitalism Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour are integrated into a conceptual framework that provides the foundation for this research. Random and purposive sampling techniques are utilised, with questionnaires administered amongst both the constructors and the buyers of residential properties in the Greater Christchurch region, while Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) will use in the study to evaluate the hypotheses. This study aims to empower managers to respond quickly to market changes, improve the resilience of their buildings, and communicate effectively with policymakers. This will help to ensure the overall sustainability and success of both current and future projects within the New Zealand construction industry.