Schalk Grobbelaar, a senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Technology Management, is a key figure in sustainable design. As chairperson of a strategic partnership with York Timbers, he leads multidisciplinary research and training programs, focusing on advanced wood products for a sustainable built environment and bioeconomy in South Africa. Schalk's team is conducting a feasibility study for the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition to promote timber construction, aiming to replace carbon-intensive materials with eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, he advocates for modular, mass timber buildings in response to the construction industry's shift towards sustainability and efficiency. Schalk has contributed to various journals, emphasizing the importance of his work in combating climate change.