Timber iQ February - March 2020 // Issue: 48 | Page 25

PROJECT
A major part of the work done on the project was the
decking. For this, 150mm of thermory ash decking was used
for decking on the main building. For the individual legae
and spa front decks, thermory ash decking with a width of
95mm was used. The ash was specifically selected for its
durability and thermal stability, due to the extreme
temperatures and very low humidity conditions experienced
year-round in the region. Both decking widths were fixed by
means of clips along the side so as to maintain a clean
timber look.
The budget was increased for the decking portion of the
project in order to accommodate the thermory product rates,
as it was unanimously agreed by the project team and client
that the specification was indeed best suited for the harsh
climatic environment. Having a natural timber finish was
essential to maintaining the overall high end yet
environmentally appropriate finish for the lodge.
The remoteness of the site was also a major contributor to the
complexity of the project with a large tented contractor camp
being required to accommodate the large team required to
execute the project within the condensed timeline.
A major part of the work done on the project was the decking. For
this, 150mm of thermory ash decking was used for decking on the
main building.
outcome of the project was incredible. After six months of
dedication and hard work, the project was handed over to a
satisfied client who also endorsed the use of high-quality
finishes throughout the lodge.
Despite the challenges experienced in the execution of this
project, the cohesive way in which the client, building and
design teams worked together to ensure the best possible
The project timeline was most probably the biggest challenge
encountered by the building team for this project. The five-
month shut-down period was predetermined well in advance
of the actual confirmation of the scope of the project. What
was initially planned as a soft refurbishment by the lodge,
became a more substantial remodelling of interior and exterior
spaces when the Savile Row team was appointed. This placed
extreme pressure on the building team to ready the site, and
subsequently made the decking preparation work and
installation very difficult.
The ash was specifically selected for its durability and thermal stability, due to the extreme temperatures and very low humidity conditions
experienced year-round in the region.
www.timberiq.co.za
// FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020
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