Timber iQ December 2018 - January 2019 // Issue: 41 | Page 25

PROJECTS
A distinctive look-and-feel was envisioned for the project which
focuses on maintaining the DNA of the historical building
and environment. Recycled oregon pine as well as industrial or antique pine –
materials that have lived many lives before – was used for
the project.
design philosophy and so lucky our stars aligned!” enthuses
Dean Dicks, creative director and founder of Coney Timbers. environment so staff could be completely focused
in discussions.
PINE PAYS HISTORICAL HOMAGE TO
INDUSTRIALISM WOOD BREATHES NEW LIFE
For Dicks, timber was a no brainer, based on the history and
the space they were working with – a retro industrial design
with rustic concrete floors, metal ceilings, exposed red
brink, retro metal windows, and so on. “Wood was the only
option, not because it's the only renewable option or
because of its acoustic qualities, but most importantly, its
ability to soften the space and bring it alive.
“We used recycled Oregon pine and what we refer to as
industrial / antique pine – materials that have lived many
lives before at trusses, floors, doors, supporting beams in
offices, factories and homes in the immediate catchment
area. We had just acquired a huge quantity of Oregon pine
from a demolished building on Albert Road, Woodstock that
is well suited for the sustainable pieces required and had
the historical aspects as well,” explains Dicks.
The team used an abundance of charismatic Oregon in
the bar and cafe areas to give that warm feeling; a space
where staff come together to relax and escape for a
moment-in-time. The dark chocolate Oregon was more
conducive based on the fact it's a suitable structural timber,
and with the heavy traffic in that specific area, very durable.
In the boardrooms, VC rooms and pause areas, they went
for a lighter timber in the form of a mix of industrial pine,
scaffolding and antique pine to create a less chaotic
www.timberiq.co.za
The feature pieces in these environments took a more
subtle and understated importance. “We retained some of
the original material in the form of the 4.5m metal footrest
in the bar area (originally a hand rail) and the original barn
doors were used as important backdrops for the agency’s
creative storytelling displays,” notes Dicks.
Based on the fact the wood has lived for over 100 years,
it has settled well and very little maintenance is required
going forward besides wear-and-tear, highlights Dicks. “We
apply a product called Wanda Seal Clear to all our products,
which is an epic product that retains the natural look-and-
feel of the material. The product is UV and water resistant
and we refer to it as our second skin – it really protects
timber. Every few years the sealer should be re-applied
to maintain the original look and preserve the wood,”
he highlights.
“We went with a rustic, recycled and sustainable feel to
align with the existing office environment, the overall
building park and the historical attributes of the area. It is
an industrial feel with heavy, chunky and bulky recycled
hardwood which looks aesthetically pleasing against other
materials, namely concrete, steel and brick,” he notes.
Dicks says changes came in the form of transporting the
large feature pieces, such as the 4.5m long bar counter and
the 4m boardroom server. “Large Oregon and industrial pine
// DECEMBER 2018 / JANUARY 2019 23