Timber iQ August - September 2020 // Issue: 50 August - September 2020 | Page 25

LOCAL PROJECT
We specifically developed new systems of modularity, through
collaboration with local designers and manufacturers. This system
allowed for furniture units to be adaptable, changing configuration to
change the purpose of its use, or ease of replacement if a unit is
damaged. Designs were also made to accommodate various
configurations of included elements in each unit.
CONFERENCE CENTRE
The conference centre was our second attempt at a timber structure
on campus, learning from our mistakes and improving our design.
Once again we deconstructed the building into smaller systems,
dividing them into; primary structure (main), secondary structure
(ceiling and cladding structure) and tertiary structures (furniture &
joinery elements).
What made this design different was that the building was laid out in
a radial form, and there was a lot more integration between various
trades. The manufacturing of the portal frames took approximately
54 days to cut (three days per portal), a total of 208 puzzle pieces and
18 days to assemble (one complete portal a day), using 900 blind nut
fasteners to clamp the portals together. The structure was installed in
just over one week.
The secondary structure consisted of a suspended acoustic ceiling
structure and acoustic cladding. Each component was digitally
manufactured, exported for cutting, assembly off-site and installed on
site in a few days.
The ceiling structure was broken down into two sections. A substructure
– we used a cabstrut system, normally used to suspend
mechanical services in buildings and modified it to suit our needs. All
the cables of the sub-structure were premeasured, digitally designed,
built and installed ready to fix the acoustic elements.
The housing units – a modular system that is able to be changed as
per requirements and also easily replaceable if damaged.
Acoustic ceiling boxes – pre-manufactured boxes, complete with
acoustic liners and insulation and a minimum 30% perforation
achieved for acceptable acoustic values. Boxes that could easily be
lifted and ‘clipped’ into place. It took four weeks to manufacture
off-site, one week to install the sub-structure and one week to hang
all the acoustic boxes.
CONCLUSION
In the end if we look back at our four-year journey on this project, we
learned a lot about the process of off-site manufacture and on-site
assembly. This concept allowed the development of systems to
deconstruct a building into elements that allow for a systemic
approach to construct (primary, secondary, tertiary) rather than the
conventional methods. It also allowed us to combine this concept
with the use of local unskilled labour and resources to develop these
micro enterprises, so that they can take their place in the larger
eco-system too.
Looking forward, we see that timber as material will be an influential
part of these systems, given its characteristics and benefits and that
these open building systems will augment micro enterprises, fostering
collaboration, innovation and meaningful building on our continent
and around the world.
The level of ownership taken on by the small contractors resulted in
immense pride, meaning and a sense of accomplishment; traits that
have been lost to our industry since the industrial revolution when
labour was reduced to commodity.
In future, we hope to see the augmentation of these micro
enterprises, funded by community banking; setting up new, small
factories, utilising digital tools to innovate, collaborate and push the
boundaries of these open building systems.
The completed product – the Auditorium.
www.timberiq.co.za // AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020 23