Timber iQ August - September 2017 // Issue: 33 | Page 22

PROJECTS
Residential units in the tower.
Towering above the rest
Ikory is a city situated in the heart of Lagos Nigeria in the most
popular and opulent residential hub; it is here that a unique
wooden structure sands tall overlooking the city.
By Ntsako Khosa | All images courtesy of Hermann Kamte & Associates
T
his new Lagos landmark is designed as a smart and
sustainable building. Described as a mixed-use
residential development it is built on the roof of Abebe
Court, a housing estate.
The existing building is located on the highbrow
Bourdillon Road surrounded by picturesque vegetation. It
sits on four blocks with housing units, each consisting of four
to three-bedroom apartments laid out on four floors. This
estate’s amenities include swimming pools, a gymnasium,
tennis courts and more. The whole structure is oriented to
maximise daylight and natural ventilation.
The structure is built using resistance of a Laminated
Veneer Lumber (LVL) wood system, a high-strength
engineered wood product made from veneers, bonded
together under heat and pressure which is used for
permanent structural applications.
20 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 //
It is also developed through natural, recyclable and locally
sourced material. The wooden envelope provides shading
from direct sunlight. Plants belted around each floor
contribute to creating fresh air flow and keep a constant
microclimate into the living space while providing visual
comfort and aesthetics. The project focuses on the open area
where the sky garden is found, which also works as a
communal area for people to relax.
The apartments are designed around a central core. The
existing and wooden structure are separated by sky gardens
and amenities and the top roof consists of restaurants with
360° views and lush greenery.
As the tower rises above the town, it stretches to cross the
limit of the local wooden construction. It gives a new natural
footprint to the city, which is surrounded by massive and
heavy buildings built in ceramic, concrete and asphalt.