EVENTS
anniversary as well as recognising his being the recipient of the
2018 ‘Entrepreneur of the Year award’ in Switzerland. He
described George as a crucial player in the Swiss timber industry.
Hermann Kamte, architect, chairman, and CEO and founder of
HKA, Cameroon, spoke of wood being a natural material freely
offered by nature and that wood was the fingerprint of Mother
Nature into our artificial buildings. Its significant role plays into the
shaping of a better world, sustainable cities, affordable housing
and quality of life. He noted that cities and towns are fast
expanding and urbanisation is moving even faster, contributing to
the challenges of energy, sustainability and recycling.
Arne Gunter, BIM manager of Earthworld Architects, Pretoria
spoke about a ‘Systemic approach to timber in the African
context’. He stated that systems are a part of our culture making
environments operate more efficiently and with ease. Buildings
have meanings for the community, and this is critical in the African
context. Wood by its very nature encompasses the beginning and
we should look to the future so that generations – past, present
and future – can merge more into their community basic system.
Peter Bisset, director of SA Timber Homes spoke on the topic of
‘Tiny Homes – a South African perspective’. Essentially the ‘Tiny
Home’ concept indicates a lifestyle change. Either for young
professionals and people not wanting to be bogged down with a
huge mortgage, or those who seek a calmer and happier lifestyle
where it’s a case of ‘honde dood, kinders uit’ and they’re suffering
from empty nest syndrome. Tiny Homes offer the beauty and
sustainability of timber and moving off the grid in some ways (like
less energy, a move to solar and off-grid sewer systems).
Bisset noted that this was a major trend overseas and South
Africa needs to catch up. The use of timber as an alternative
material is a misnomer as timber is written into the National
Building Regulations (SAN10400) and has a host of standards
governing its use and in most cases is written into municipal
bylaws. Tiny Homes are transportable, and options exist to be
able to do this. Banks and Insurance companies have an
acceptance of such homes.
Hermann Kamte, architect,
chairman, and CEO and founder
of HKA, Cameroon, spoke
about the significant role wood
plays in the shaping of a better
world and sustainable cities. Arne Gunter, BIM Manager of
Earthworld Architects, spoke
about a ‘Systemic approach to
timber in the African context’.
Peter Bisset, director of SA
Timber Homes, spoke on the
topic of ‘Tiny Homes – a South
African perspective’. Gregorie R Kingsley, president
and CEO, KL&A Engineers
presented on the design and
construction of the Aspen Art
Museum wood structure.
Jamie Smily, architect and
founder of XLAM South Africa,
spoke about ‘A South African
case for mass timber’. Antonella Carfi and Sela Tamar
Farner, Bachelor of Arts in
Architecture candidates from
Switzerland.
Carla Jooste, the Wood Student
Foundation winner 2019, spoke
about her experience as the
winner. Phillipus Rudolph (Rudy)
Botha, founder of Werkhof
Architects and Engineers,
spoke about the challenges of
‘Floating Fynbos’.
He noted the resistance from government and the consumer, so a
huge mindset change needs to take place.
Gregorie R Kingsley, president and CEO, KL&A Engineers and
Builders of Colorado, USA, presented the collaboration of KL&A
with Creation Holz and SJB Kempter Fitze from Switzerland in the
design and construction of the Aspen Art Museum wood structure,
including paths. He also previewed the competition winning entry
for a destination distillery in Kentucky, prepared by the same team.
Jamie Smily, architect and founder of XLAM South Africa, spoke
about ‘A South African case for mass timber’. His theme was
around the paradigm shift in the way that design engineering and
building is done. Known as the ‘Design for Manufacturing and
Assembly’ (DfMA) together with BIM software, CAD, CAM and
industrial fabrication, the manufacture of large components of
building ‘offsite’ offers an excellent alternative to the traditional
concrete, masonry and steel materials.
Antonella Carfi and Sela Tamar Farner, Bachelor of Arts in
Architecture candidates from Switzerland spoke of their
experience in planning a Swiss Tiny House. The two young ladies
were winners of a design competition and the task was to design
a compact timber building for a two-person household 50-60m²
– to offer maximum quality of life using minimum space. Site
specific environmental conditions and strict adherence to the
building regulations had to be followed.
www.timberiq.co.za
// APRIL / MAY 2020
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