A Future in Timber

Freda Esterhuyse

BArch 2021

Supervisors:
Unit Leader: Gregory Katz
Unit Tutor: Jaco Jonker
Unit Assistant: Senzo Mamba

UNIT 17^︎︎︎
To Be Orna-ment To Be

For my project, I want to create a statement on sustainable materials and building methods that help relieve our current issues: unemployment, global warming, decreasing resources and increasing pollution. To create a better future for future generations, we must be more aware of our environment and health. Sustainably produced timber products and construction materials will help combat these issues. Unfortunately, the timber-producing industry is shrinking in South Africa, decreasing the number of sustainable options in the construction industry.

I will be exploring new ways of using timber in the built environment, taking inspiration from the making process of laminated timber furniture to move towards a sustainable future. As there is an abundance of waste timber byproducts, I would like to integrate these products, e.g., recycled paper, as a building material for my intervention.

The form of the structure will be dictated by the natural catenary forces between the trees. When the structure is inverted, compressive forces are introduced that balance optimally with the tensile forces, creating a structure that supports its own weight and can stretch over larger distances.

Using timber in the built environment creates a demand for timber products which then aids in forest regeneration.

Keywords:
Sustainable, Nature

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