August 2012 - trademax.co.za
Transcription
August 2012 - trademax.co.za
CONTENTS CONTENTS 16 26 6 ED'S NOTE 8 contributors 10 feature - Summer Living 16 FEATURE - cork/kôrk/ 22 FEATURE - Silver linings 26 FEATURE - Pavilion in a Million 32 DIY - WITH RIAAN 34 industry insight - 10 good reasons 38 news - property development 42 product news - Zai CORE Axe 44 news - CT scanner facility 48 product news - Hubtex Hits S.A. 52 company profile - eco timber traders 54 itc - Regulating roof structures 56 news - Treated Poles 58 cifor - REDD + 62 product news - Clamping down 42 // AUGUST 2012 5 ED'S NOTE Just right Shopping for culinary items might seem like a whimsical pursuit, but for me, it became a test of stamina, patience, fitness and my general ability to keep from caving at the sight of something that is almost-but-notquite what I'm looking for. M y search for the perfect chopping board began more than six months ago. What I really wanted in a chopping board seemed simple enough; it had to be wooden, something chunky, yet feminine, preferably round, rough, old-worldy and beautiful enough to use as a serving platter. I was looking for the perfect chopping board, one that was just right. I shook my head indignantly at countless plastic boards, winced at the very thought of my knives grating on glass and, although I came very close to buying a bamboo chopping board, my inner drive to find that elusive wooden chopping board was strong. Finally, my search came to a glorious end just two weeks ago; I found a Trudeau Boutique Vineyards bread board weighing in at 2.5 kilos and 40 centimetres in diameter. Round, rustic, rough enough and just right, these unique chopping boards are handcrafted from century-old French Oak wine barrels that have slowly, lovingly aged Franschhoek wines. I hold my prized chopping board and with wide eyes and a smile imported from a long-ago childhood, I gently stroke the rough texture, and lean in to closely observe the Morse-code of the age old oak grain. 6 AUGUST 2012 // I furl my fingers and with knuckles I knock, half expecting to hear a hollow return. When the soft woody notes resound, I turn the board around and see a wine-tinted underside whose colour acknowledges a purposeful past, a story of viticultural gestation and the unmistakable history I am after. A piece of wood with rough-enough skin, a deep enough voice, a sturdy stature and a story inscribed on its belly has found me. Not too smooth, not too small, but just right, Goldilocks has found her chopping board. Although it hasn’t taken us six months to put this issue of Timber iQ together, the same kind of effort that went into my chopping board pursuit went into sourcing and showcasing the exquisite potential of timber. I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as I have savoured putting it together. Jen PS: You can find a range of the Trudeau Boutique Vineyards boards at Vendange branches in Milpark, Bloemfontein, Greenpoint and Fourways. For more information, visit www.vendange.co.za. contributors Contributors THE TEAM Editor: Jacques Cronje Jacques is a registered Professional Senior Architectural Technologist (Pr.S.Arch.T). While his architectural training is ‘informal,’ having learnt by onthe-job experience, mentorship and self-study, he has degrees in building management and economics, a post-grad certificate in energy economics and has done several courses in energy efficiency and sustainable development. Jennifer Rees 021 591 7000 076 119 8819 editor@trademax.co.za Publisher: Billy Perrin 082 266 6976 billy@trademax.co.za Advertising: Daniel Conradie Daniel is a Candidate Senior Architectural Technologist and freelance writer based in Cape Town. He is passionate about the design process and how the technology and materials employed are composed to express it. Jason Bakery lattés, sci-fi novels and Cape Town summers assist in retaining his sanity and fervour. Upcoming events Billy Perrin 082 266 6976 billy@trademax.co.za Zahida Mahomed zahida@trademax.co.za 021 591 7021 Alex Struck alex@trademax.co.za 021 591 7000 Layout & design: Craig Patterson craig@trademax.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS & DATA: Knysna Woodworkers Festival Celeste Perrin celeste@trademax.co.za 021 591 5050 29 September – 6 October Green Building Council 2012 Convention & Exhibition 23 – 25 October Trademax Publications Woodex 2013 Tel: 021 591 7000 Cell: 082 266 6976 Fax: 0866 991 346 www.trademax.co.za P.O. Box 37053 Chempet 7442 21-23 March 2013 Get in touch Follow us @Timber_iQ 8 AUGUST 2012 // Like us! Timber iQ DISCLAIMER www.trademax.co.za The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Trademax Publications. Although we have done our best to ensure the accuracy of our content, neither Trademax Publications nor Timber iQ magazine will be held liable for any views expressed or information disseminated in this issue. Financial foundation to boost growth potential of forestry and wood products As providers of raw materials to primary processing industries for multi-sector use, the sectors of forestry and timber are deemed to be economically significant with a high growth potential. The South African National Industry Policy Framework (NIPF) and Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP2) have identified the sectors as being crucial to providing enabling opportunities for the participation of rural, previously disadvantaged people in economic growth. The IDC’s support of the sector focuses on unproven technologies and markets, which by their nature are higher-risk projects with an anticipated higher return on investment. The Forestry and Wood Products Unit (SBU) ensures that after initial funding has been granted, a partner-relationship is formed with the portfolio companies to facilitate ongoing engagement. This means that strategic support, advice and guidance are available throughout the project development as part of the IDC’s Post Investment Management (PIM) activities. expansion of forestry and wood plantation areas. Viable projects are financed across the sub-sectors of forestry, sawmilling, pulp and paper, furniture and biomass. Priority is given to the development of timber and alternative energy fibre resources; technology upgrades in the sawmilling and pulp and paper industry; the establishment of local niche board manufacturing, and the development of value-added products to stimulate local demand. Additionally, the Unit endeavours to support the expansion strategies of South African companies beyond the country’s borders. As a leading provider of finance to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Forestry sector, the Unit is able to act as a catalyst in finding new opportunities and facilitating consolidation for small furniture manufacturers. Economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation, particularly in rural areas, are strategic objectives of the IDC – committed to be a proactive, value-adding partner in the development and implementation of forestry and timber projects. Chillibush7622IDC The Unit directs investment into projects that will contribute to the protection of existing timber plantations and the Telephone: 086 069 3888 Email: callcentre@idc.co.za To apply online for funding of R1 million or more go to www.idc.co.za feature Summer Living The beautiful Summer House in Southern Burgenland by Judith Benzer Achitektur combines steel, concrete and wood for a harmonious reinterpretation of the organisational framework of the Kellerstöckel, or wine house. Words: Daniel Conradie Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net I t is often through the exploration of small scale architectural works that conceptual ideas can be realised. A humble summer house in Southern Burgenland, Austria, explores a number of intriguing concepts, but the most fascinating has to be the sheer simplicity and clarity with which these have been interpreted. 10 AUGUST 2012 // The clients, an elderly couple close to retirement, approached the architect with an interesting brief: design a summer house that accommodates their mutual interest in growing grapes and producing wine. feature When starting a design, architects often identify (and draw inspiration from) vernacular architectural precedent (building styles unique to a particular locale) in formulating an appropriate – and contextually relevant – response, whether driven by climatic, functional or aesthetic motivations. The design and the formal language used to merge the residential and agricultural aspects, as set out in the brief, pay tribute to a humble building archetype commonly encountered on the Austrian landscape: the Kellerstöckel. Typical of the Southern Burgenland region, the wine house model’s functional programme is split in two: a habitable residence sits perched on a burrowed basement. Often the roofs are pitched – a common response to the construction of buildings in areas that experience winter snowfalls – and the entire construction is of timber. These formal gestures became the primary parameters while the design of the new residence progressed, in an attempt to re-interpret the Kellerstöckel’s organisational framework and to produce a contemporary rendition thereof. Unlike the more traditional farm layout, whereby a farm house is surrounded by various mono-functional outbuildings, the architect merged the two typologies into a single element. In effect, the differing aesthetic treatments traditionally imposed on either (residential opulence versus industrial functionalism) are unequal, and the architect responded to this imbalance by shifting the focus from a contrast in finishes toward a contrast in the materials themselves. Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net The design and the formal language used to merge the residential and agricultural aspects, as set out in the brief, pay tribute to a humble building archetype commonly encountered on the Austrian landscape: the Kellerstöckel, or wine house. Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net // AUGUST 2012 11 feature Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net 1 2 3 WEST VIEW SOUTH VIEW section VIEW 1. Living area / gallery 2. Bedroom 3. Wine Cellar East VIEW 12 AUGUST 2012 // NOrth VIEW feature Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net In effect, the differing aesthetic treatments traditionally imposed on either (residential opulence versus industrial functionalism) are unequal, and the architect responded to this imbalance by shifting the focus from a contrast in finishes toward a contrast in the materials themselves. To expand on the concept of unifying the seemingly heterogeneous elements, the architect chose to emphasise the use of different materials and construction methods to illustrate their individual identities: an all-timber construction, containing the habitable aspect of the programme, perched on top of a solid concrete base (containing the cellar). The basement is partially burrowed to provide a more consistent interior climate (a mandatory consideration in the design of wine cellars) for the successful production and preservation of wines. Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net The clever use of contrasting materials to accentuate the seemingly incongruous merging of residential and agricultural typologies creates a homogenous balance, as the architect explains, between the cosy (wood) and the raw (concrete). // AUGUST 2012 13 feature Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net 1. Pavilion 2. wardrobe - 7,4 m² 3. kitchen - 13,8 m² 4. Dining area - 11,2 m² 5. living area - 14 m² 6. bedroom - 17,4 m² 7. bathroom - 4 m² 8. toilet - 1.9m² 9. Living area / gallery - 27,5 m² 10. airspace 10. Wine Cellar 11. space technology - 12,5 m² 12. Wine Cellar - 31,2 m² 13. Cellar - 34,8 m² 8 1 2 7 3 6 9 4 10 5 14 AUGUST 2012 // feature While vacant the built form thus reads as a monolithic and unobtrusive silhouette on the landscape, but while occupied it unfolds to reveal its contents. As it was intended for the house to be inhabited only during the summer months, a measure of security had to form part of the building’s composition, accounting for the periods of extended absenteeism. The solution selected – a continuous mantle of larch planks – serves as the primary skin of the building, but in lieu of an additional layer to address this particular concern it was integrated to form part of the building’s skin itself. Covering the beautifully proportioned window and door punctures, the skin is allowed to peel away via a series of hinged and folding shutters. While vacant the built form thus reads as a monolithic and unobtrusive silhouette on the landscape, but while occupied it unfolds to reveal its contents. The roof is a continuation of the wall cladding detail, reinforcing the notion of a timber mantle enveloping the entirety of the structure. A double waterproofing membrane was used to accommodate the roof detail, with the insulation layer acting as the drainage channel as well. One membrane is placed directly beneath the timber slats, while the second is located between the insulation and timber substructure. Larch is valued for its tough, waterproof, and durable qualities and is often considered to be the recommended wood variant in the construction of residences throughout central Europe. Its ability to resist rot allows it to be left in its untreated state – an important factor to consider when using any natural timber. As the timber ages, it will turn a beautiful silver gray. The placement of the windows attempts to introduce and highlight the spectacular surrounding countryside. The largest opening, situated on the Southern façade, frames a stunning landscape, while the horizontal slit on the Western elevation captures a panoramic view of a neighbouring farm. As the house is situated on a hill, the architect introduced punctures on all four elevations to take advantage of its placement and to maximise the ingress of natural light into the house. It was important not to make the openings too large, as they reduce the energy efficiency of the house, but to allow for the adequate ventilation and cooling of the interior during the summer months. Apart from the security offered by these wooden shutters, they also serve as a method of dealing with aestival overheating (a common characteristic of the Southern Burgenland region) by effectively controlling the amount of sunlight permissible into the space. Photography: Martin Weiß | www.pool2b.net 11 12 13 One of the striking aspects of the wooden mantle is the crisp corners achieved; folded sheets of copper allow for the fixing of the timber planks at the corner junctions. The reserved material palette is enhanced simply by means of each one’s articulation within the larger scale of the project. This fact becomes even more prominent when viewing the design of the interiors, where timber, steel and concrete meet harmoniously – each layer contributing to the overall composition. This project manages to encompass a number of vital lessons, but the most important is the reminder that with the firm comprehension of each material’s characteristics come built works that express the inherent qualities of each without any pretence. The Summer House represents architectural honesty on a landscape that requires nothing less. // AUGUST 2012 15 feature Title: Cork Stopper Chandelier Dimensions: Plus minus 600mm in diameter Materials: Recycled cork stoppers, warm white LEDs and anodised aluminium Price: R 21 890 cork/kôrk/ (n): (v): The buoyant, light brown substance obtained from the outer bark layer of the cork oak. Close or seal (a bottle) with a cork. feature I nspired by Scandinavian simplicity and Dutch originality, 25 year-old Cape Town design sensation, Laurie Wiid, weaves design magic with his favourite material – cork. Personally, I find cork to be a warm material, it has a beautiful texture, and it smells so good! It’s a material you can trust, it doesn’t warp and one gets a variety of grades, from rough granules to fine granules. Van Heerden, born in 1987 in Cape Town, started his studies in industrial design at the Cape Tech in 2007, but decided to venture more into the practical side of things. From there he was employed by Bronze Age Art Foundry until 2009, where he worked with some of his creative heroes, including Cecil and Boyd, William Kentridge and Wim Botha, in a stimulating environment where he learned various invaluable skills and techniques. Cork also attracted me when I read about its sustainability: The material is extracted from the Sobreiro (Cork Oak) without having to harm or destroy the tree and is nontoxic, recyclable, renewable and fire-resistant. Like timber, cork boasts a great atmospheric CO2 fixing capacity and through production, generates minimal waste and usage of resources. After gaining ample practical experience in the field of design and manufacturing and also being the assistant to Wim Botha for almost two years, Wiid Design was created. Wiid Design focuses on producing truly unique products designed and manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa. JR: What are the benefits and drawbacks of working with cork? LW: The benefits of working with cork include: its softness and flexibility, rendering it easy to machine; it sands well and does not clog tools or abrasives; it is renewable and biodegradable; it forms a durable, high density surface; it is safe for food storage; it is lightweight, naturally hypoallergenic, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. JR: What do you like about using cork in your work? LW: The material is just amazing. I choose to work with cork because of its many properties, which make it a flexible material to incorporate into a variety of products with different uses. Cork is a durable, high-density surface that is resistant to wear, slip-resistant, lightweight, impermeable to liquids and also easy to machine. The downside to working with cork is the fact that it is not that easily obtainable in South Africa, it is generally quite expensive and is only supplied in certain sizes and thicknesses. // AUGUST 2012 17 feature Title: Modern Cork Side Table Dimensions: Top: 600mm Ø Height: 450mm Materials: Agglomerated cork, electro galvanized and epoxy coated mild steel Price: R 6 200 JR: How has Wiid Design been received by Cape Town and its people? LW: People love my work in Cape Town and I get lots of interest. I see Cape Town as a very European city and my customers understand the uniqueness and quality of my work. It is always important for me to keep my work original and this is not just in the design of a product, but also with regards to materials! Actual cork products are still a very new thing in South Africa and it is important for me to showcase the material as a high quality material, and not something that is cheap or easily obtainable. JR: Are you proudly South African? LW: Of course! I love South Africa; there are so many cultures and different lifestyles. I feel really free in this big county, but the only thing I would ask is that the manufacturing industry and also larger companies would start supporting young designers. 18 AUGUST 2012 // Title: Cork milk stool/poodle stool Dimensions: Seat: 300mm Ø Height: 510mm Materials: Agglomerated cork and European Beech Price: R 2 900 feature Title: Cork Desk Light Dimensions: 200 x 360 x 580mm high (adjustable) Materials: Hand turned agglomerated cork, 6mm aluminium, mild steel nickel plated brass fittings and high quality LEDs Price: R 4 500 feature Title: Poodle Side Table Dimensions: Top: 600mm Ø Height: 450mm Materials: Agglomerated cork and European Beech Price: R 5 400 This type of support can be given in a few ways: financial support (sponsorship when seeing potential), production, assistance in prototyping products and guidance on how to keep manufacturing costs low. Also, what’s very important is that manufacturers are enthusiastic about new materials and products and help newcomers develop their products. One company that has really been amazing when it comes to supporting me for the last two years is Amorim Cork. Joaquim, the managing director, is a real entrepreneur and has been assisting me with cork from the very start! We are planning a cork exhibition and he has also instigated an amazing recycling initiative in the Western Cape where more than 300 000 cork stoppers have been recycled. JR: Your overall image and design offering seem to straddle local as well as global aesthetics. How do you respond to this statement and if you agree, why? LW: I agree. I try to keep my work simple and focus on quality and originality. The more original the piece, the more difficult it becomes. 20 AUGUST 2012 // Title: Cork and ceramic wine glasses Dimensions: H 145mm X W 80mm Materials: Cork and stoneware Price: R 220 feature I try to create desirable collectors’ items; beautiful shapes, colours, textures and interesting materials form part of my design process. When my products are designed, it is a personal process and I take it very seriously, which might be why people are so drawn to them. European design has always been a big inspiration to me, especially the simplicity of Scandinavian design and the originality of the Dutch. Wiid Design will be launching a few more products this year which will be true collectors’ items, so readers should keep an eye on my website. JR: Where to from here for Wiid Design? LW: My main focus now is to not bring out mass produced pieces, but to focus on bringing out collectors’ pieces, where the use of material vs. function will play an interesting role. I am currently designing two 2.7m solid cork dining tables, which will be available in the new ‘black cork’. An indoor and an outdoor version will form part of the collection. A cork exhibition for 2013 with Amorim cork is also in the pipeline and maybe another collaboration or two with various artist to produce some amazing collectable pieces! Wiid Design’s products also incorporate materials such as concrete, terracotta, felt, leather, wood, porcelain, cast iron, stainless steel and state-of-the-art energy saving LEDs. Wiid Design was nominated as a finalist in the Absolut Visi Designer of the Year competition in the emerging designer category for 2011 and has been featured in most top magazines and newspapers in South Africa, including The Weekend Argus, The Times, Property Magazine, Visi, Elle Decoration, House and Home, House and Garden, House and Leisure and also the popular morning show ‘Expresso’ where Laurie currently showcases some of his work. For more information, visit www.wiiddesign.co.za. feature Silver linings The Cloud House is a playful, yet sensitive addition and renovation to a double-fronted Edwardian house in Melbourne, Australia. Photography: John Gollings feature O ver the course of close to a century, this house has received several additions and modifications. McBride Charles Ryan's work for the house is designed in three parts, which allows for a sequence of distinct and unexpected episodes, with glimpses previewing oncoming spaces and experiences as one moves through the home. The street façade has been left to demonstrate the clients' respect for the evolution of the character of the area and the modest street alteration belies the extent of the comprehensive internal renovation work. The spaces within the original structure are largely white in colour, united by an exotic floral hallway carpet. This journey through the space is followed by encountering a disintegrated red-coloured 'box'. This is the kitchen, at the heart of the property, which acts as a bridge linking the major spaces. A cloud-shaped extrusion is the unexpected final space. Following the form of a child-like impression of a cloud, it is a playful addition where family and friends can eat and have fun surrounded by the curved form. // AUGUST 2012 23 feature The new living addition faces due south while allowing controlled north sun into the living area and providing effective cross ventilation. The form of the 'cloud' conforms to setback regulations without appearing obviously determined by them. The extrusion creates a dramatic interior language where walls merge seamlessly with the floor and ceiling. The craftsmanship is remarkable throughout and has a sense of care one typically associates with the work of a cooper or wheelwright. Bob Quinn of Quinn Constructions, whose work is commended by the architects, says, “I sourced all the spotted gum decking boards, which have been used to line the cloud, from a company called Greenhills Timber in Thomastown. They were reliable and cheaper than straight from the mill in Queensland.” While the geometry is playful, the extrusion is essentially a contemporary barrel vault. Project team: Rob McBride, Debbie-Lyn Ryan, Marie Chen, Cathryn Panettieri, Ben Inman, Gabriella Muto Project year: 2012 Floor area: 220m2 Extension area: 70m2 24 AUGUST 2012 // Following the form of a childlike impression of a cloud, it is a playful addition where family and friends can eat and have fun surrounded by the curved form. Knysna Timber Homes Primarily a construction company specializing in timber design and construction. Our projects and services include design and building of homes, resorts, convention centers, restaurants, office buildings and various other structures. Knysna Timber Homes provides a full turnkey service to clients including: • Project Assessment • Architectural Design and Sketch Plans • Cost Estimates • Land Surveys • Local Authority Building Plan Approval • Construction Detailing • Project Management • Subcontracted Items including Built-In Cupboards, Electrical Wiring and Plumbing. We are members of the Master Builders Association, National Home Builders Registration Council and the Timber Frame Builders Association. Contact: tel: +27 (0) 44 382 5085 web: www.knysnatimberhomes.co.za email: theteam@knysnatimberhomes.co.za feature Pavilion in a Million Timber iQ's editor talks to Marco Casagrande about his latest addition to the Taipei cityscape and how, through design and material choices, the structure engages with the city and its people. Photographs by: AdDa© Drawings by: Marco Casagrande C asagrande was born in 1971 in Turku, Finland, and completed his studies at the Helsinki University of Technology Department of Architecture in 2001. From early on, Casagrande began mixing architecture with various other artistic disciplines, as well as science, which has resulted in his famous eco-conscious installations across the world. Casagrande’s work and teachings move freely between architecture, urban and environmental design and science, environmental art and circus, culminating in a hybrid of architectural thinking called “commedia dell’architettura,” a broad vision of built human environment tied into social drama and environmental awareness. In a highly industrialised area of Taipei, Marco Casagrande’s Cicada pavilion represents a gentle, yet bold and refreshing interjection into the concrete hardness that is synonymous with a working city and offers a welcome cocoon for escape from the city, and industrial meditation. 26 AUGUST 2012 // feature JR: Marco, how are you trained and from what or whom do you draw your inspiration? MC: I studied architecture, but the real studying has been through my work and meeting with people. Childhood in Lapland is as important as university, if not more. Child-me keeps me in connection with nature. I am more inspired by movie directors than other architects. Tarkovsky, Eisenstein, Lang, Bergman, Kurozawa, Coppola in Apocalypse Now, Cubric, etc. Books are also important. My biggest inspiration is nature, including human nature. "Ruin is when something manmade has become part of nature. Local knowledge is one of the elements that can turn the industrial machine into an organic machine." JR: What projects and/or events led to the design and creation of the Cicada pavilion and why was this project executed in Taipei? MC: I worked the first time with bamboo and organic structure in Shenzhen Biennial in 2009 together with Hsieh Ying-Chun and Roan Chin-Yueh. This was my first encounter with the South-Chinese local knowledge of bamboo. Cicada’s client visited the Shenzhen Bug Dome and later on wanted something like that in Taipei. The idea is to ruin the industrial city. Ruin is when something man-made has become part of nature. Local knowledge is one of the elements that can turn the industrial machine into an organic machine. JR: you sought to create a structure that is out of place, both in terms of time and material. What instigated the need to do this and how does the Cicada pavilion fulfil this need? MC: Modern man has to take the liberty to travel 1000 years back in order to realize that things are the same. Cicada offers this possibility. High density urban communities have been living in good harmony with the surrounding nature, but we have forgotten this. In order to reach the Third Generation City we need to forget this forgetting and let nature in. Modern man in a box is doomed to dementia. JR: Why did you choose to use a fire pit and benches inside the pavilion? MC: Making open fire inside the modern city is interesting for me. Citizens around the fire sort of melt down and become human again. The benches are like insects in this space that can be used for many purposes. The organic form is made for the dramatics of the space and for the way light comes in. The hole is for a vertical axis and in connection with the fire-place. // AUGUST 2012 27 feature "Modern man in a box is doomed to dementia." JR: What led you to making use of a vacant site that is awaiting development for the creation of the Cicada pavilion? And will the pavilion be destroyed in time to make room for other developments? MC: In Taipei the slow circles of official development offer more fruitful possibilities for unofficial microdevelopment. Community gardens and urban farms are taking place on similar sites like Cicada – waiting for development. Some farms or gardens can be 20 years old on sites that, for example, banks are fighting for. Meanwhile, grandmothers are farming and tuning the city towards the organic. This is Urban Acupuncture. Cicada is following this method. The pavilion will get destroyed and the site will get developed and new holes in the city’s mechanical reality will open up for organic growth. JR: Why did you choose to use bamboo in this project? MC: The whole structure is bamboo - amazing material when it comes to organic strength. For anchoring, there is a pile of top-soil outside as the counter-weight. The bamboo is from Central Taiwan and it is not treated in any way. Similar kinds of structures have been done forever. Only the city is a new thing. JR: Why was ivy planted along the sides of the structure? How does this form part of your idea? MC: The creepers provide good micro-climate and change the building every day. It is good if architecture can become a structure for urban bonsai. Architecture without nature is nonsense. 28 AUGUST 2012 // JR: How do you respond to Cicada being "insect architecture"? What does this mean to you? MC: I have studied a Phimenes Sp. Wasp making his cocoon out of cement that he stole from me. It understood the structural possibilities, immediately mixing the cement with mud and some pieces or straw and sticks. His cocoon was fantastic and has been the inspiration for Bug Dome, Cicada and more to come. feature feature JR: How have people responded to your designs? MC: I have been surprised by how much people love this space. This is wonderful, especially when all kinds of people from different backgrounds like Cicada. Even children like it. It looks like the organic space is doing some magic for the industrial man. He feels good in it. He remembers something, feels hope. JR: Marco, what projects lie ahead in your future? What is the trajectory of your career path and what do you hope to achieve through your work? MC: I don’t have a career path. I believe in accidents. In future I will work more with insects and local knowledge. I want to see the Third Generation City, the organic ruin of the industrial city. I will also develop further the possibilities of Urban Acupuncture for punctually tuning the mechanical urban machinery towards the organic. I also want to create more good homes for good people and operate freely in-between architecture, environmental art, ecological urban design and other forms of art and science within the general field of built human environment. Casagrande views the city as a complex energy organism in which different overlapping layers of energy flows are determining the actions of the citizens, as well as the development of the city. By mixing environmentalism and urban design Casagrande develops methods of manipulation of the urban energy flows in order to create an ecologically sustainable urban development towards the so-called Third Generation City. The theory of the Third Generation City views the urban development as the ruin of the industrial city, an organic machine ruined by nature, including human nature and urban acupuncture as a cross-over architectural manipulation of the collective sensuous intellect of a city. Architecture is in the position to produce the acupuncture needles for the urban chi. Weeds will root into the smallest cracks in the asphalt and eventually break the city. 30 AUGUST 2012 // "It looks like the organic space is doing some magic for the industrial man. He feels good in it. He remembers something, feels hope." Urban acupuncture is the weed and the acupuncture point is the crack. The theory opens the door for uncontrolled creativity and freedom. Ruin is something man-made having become part of nature. Quick facts Architect: Marco Casagrande Location: Taipei City, Taiwan Project Managers: Delphine, Peng Hsiao-Ting / JUT Group, Nikita Wu / C-LAB Casagrande Laboratory for Cicada: Frank Chen, Yu-Chen Chiu, Shreya Nagrath, Arijit Sen Dimensions: 34m long, 12m wide, 8m high Interior Space: 270m2 Project Year: 2011 Build time: 4 weeks Casagrande’s works have been awarded in the Architectural Review’s Emerging Architecture 1999, Borromini Award 2000, Mies Van Der Rohe Award 2001, Lorenzo Il Magnifico Award 2001, La Nuit Du Livre Award 2006, World Architecture Community Awards 2009, World Architecture Festival Award 2009, Architectural Review House Award 2010 and World Architecture Community Awards 2010 competitions. Supplier of timber log wall systems, Solid and Half logs, Decking, Poles and Pickets. Solid Log T&G Half Logs Contact details: Head Office & Factory Physical: 8 Fechter Street Knysna Industria Postal: PO Box 2385 Knysna, 6570 Pretoria: Cell: Kobus 082 535 3397 Cell Francois: 082 411 0513 Cell Brett: 082 553 2822 Email: timbaclad@telkomsa.net Fax: 044 382 6358 Web: www.timbaclad.com DIY Summer is in the air and it's time to make sure your deck and pool are in tip-top condition! D uring the current season of DIY with Riaan, he teamed up with Senor Splash who stock a variety of fibreglass pools, which are available in a DIY kit. In this particular project, the team wanted the pool level with the existing veranda. In order to do so they excavated only 700mm of soil and built a wall to support the pool. 32 AUGUST 2012 // The pool is then carefully placed within the walls. Water can now be put in, while the level is constantly checked. The pool is completed with a wooden deck. The support beams are planted a day prior to the building of the deck. Saligna wood is used for this deck and is specifically grown by the Cashumi Wood Group in Tzaneen. DIY Riaan uses Eureka’s decking screws on this deck. Woodii Klerksdorp assisted with the building of the deck. For more information on this project visit www.diymetriaan.co.za Top tips for decks: •Always use a high quality deck seal •For a new deck: Seal the deck with 2 to 3 coats and reseal just before the rainy season •Seal your deck twice a year •Clean your deck by using washing powder and water. Scrub with a broom and rinse with clean water, seal if needed. 10 industry insight Good reasons to consider building a timber frame home Many people have asked why it is that I prefer to design timber frame homes and, more specifically, what the advantages of a timber frame home are. Here are 10 good reasons to build your new house using timber frame. Words: Jacques Cronje 1 Touch the earth lightly The choice of a timber frame home is going to substantially lower your carbon footprint. Trees absorb carbon as they grow and this carbon is locked away when the timber is used for construction. So the more timber you use instead of more energy and carbon costly materials, such as masonry and concrete, the lower the carbon footprint of your home. Timber is also a totally renewable building material. In addition, because of the relatively light weight of timber frame materials, less energy is consumed by the transport of materials. From a purely ecological perspective, a lot less damage is done to the site immediately surrounding a building project when building with timber frame. This is because the work predominantly consists of ‘dry’ trades where products are ‘fixed’ and installed as opposed to ‘wet’ trades where products are mixed and applied on site, meaning, quite simply, less mess. 34 AUGUST 2012 // 2 Keep cool The structure of a timber frame wall is essentially a hollow cavity with evenly spaced structural timber studs. It is the nature of this cavity, along with the fact that the high insulating properties of timber prevent ‘thermal bridging’, that allows the wall to be easily filled with as much insulation as is required to produce a thermally efficient home - as long as it is designed correctly in terms of optimal orientation and positioning of glazing, of course. The amount of insulation required for optimal efficiency, as well as to comply with the recent SANS 10400 Part XA Energy Efficiency regulations, differs depending on the climatic zone in which you are building. 3 Keep your options open Despite its history as a traditional building material, as the trend towards the use of sustainable materials increases, timber is also gaining popularity with designers and architects as a material in contemporary architecture. Technological advances in design software and fabrication technologies are now starting to allow timber to be cut and fashioned to any shape you desire. So thanks to the extreme versatility of timber, your timber home could be anything from a humble log cabin, to a grand Cape Cod style beach house, a sleek glazed all round clad post & beam pad enclosable by sliding shutters, or a digitally crafted open plan contemporary house with a freeform double curved roof. The choice is yours. industry insight 4 Change is inevitable Families get bigger and families get smaller. Children move out, older parents move in. You accumulate more stuff, occasionally edit, but mostly accumulate still more stuff. Over the lifespan of a typical house countless changes occur with regards to its spatial requirements. And you can be sure that this will at some stage involve building new walls, or breaking old ones down, expanding outwards or upwards or opening up. Whatever your future change requirements, they will be easier, quicker, less intrusive, and usually a lot less messy with a timber home than attempting to make changes to a conventional brick and mortar home. 5 less is more The first question many people ask when enquiring as to the estimated cost of a house is ‘How much is it going to cost per square meter?’ As there are so many variables, for example, finishes, proportion of windows and doors to blank walls (windows are more expensive than the equivalent area of wall), and the complexity of the design, that unless the design and finishes have been decided upon, the question is not that far off the ‘How long is a piece of string?’ question. A more interesting question to consider may be, ‘How many square meters of internal floor area you getting as a proportion of building area? Did you know that, because timber frame walls are so much less bulky than brick walls, you gain approximately 1m2 of internal floor area for every 7 running metres of external wall length? The math is like this; typical cavity brick wall at 300mm (including plaster) less typical timber frame external wall at 150mm (including lining and cladding) equals 0.15m2 of floor area saved per metre of wall; multiply by 7 RM and you get 1.05m2. So next time you are comparing ‘m2 rates’, don’t forget to factor this in to your sums. 6 Time is money Literally, when it comes to building – assuming you own or are paying to live where you do while building. If you have just sold your house in order to build a new one, you will presumably be paying occupational rent. If you want to sell on completion of the new build, the sooner you can do this the better. Renting speaks for itself. If you are building a guesthouse or lodge, the sooner you can get bums in beds, the better for your positive cash flow. Whichever way you look at it, a longer time spent building costs you more. Now consider the fact that a timber frame home typically takes half to three quarters of the time to build than a conventional brick and mortar home. 36 AUGUST 2012 // 7 Rest Assured Besides the knowledge that you are making a positive contribution to global sustainability, you can also have complete peace of mind about the sustainability of your investment. Timber frame homes are included in the South African National Building Regulations standards, in SANS 10082, Timber Buildings. When built to these standards they also automatically achieve the standard required for registration with the National Home Builder Registration Council (NHBRC). They are also easily designed to meet the requirements of the new Energy Efficiency regulations, SANS 10400 Part XA. Build using a builder who is member of the Institute of Timber Frame Builders and you will also have the backing of an organization with a 30-year track record of promoting and maintaining acceptable standards in timber construction in South Africa. 8 Stay safe & sound Timber is strong, light and reliable, making timber construction on site simpler and safer than concrete or steel construction. In terms of structural material, radiata pine, for example, has a strength-to-weight ratio that is 20% higher than structural steel, and more than four times that of unreinforced concrete in compression. Timber is also flexible, meaning less chance of structural damage typically caused by heaving clay, or the settlement cracks typically found in masonry construction at the top corners of doors and windows. Modern timber construction also has increased fire protection due to the use of non-combustible linings protecting the frames, the availability of fire retardants, and designing for safety by using mass timber with sufficient charring rates. Safety in the case of a fire is all about safety of the occupants, and timber homes, designed correctly, meet all of the fire safety ratings and requirements. industry insight 9 10 home & dry deal with people who care With a correctly designed and built timber home you will never have to worry about typical brick homeowners’ issues, such as rising damp, or for those in the Cape, moisture breaching the cavity. Furthermore, arrive home on a cold winters evening, and a cozy fireplace or heater will heat the home up in no time. This is because, due to the low thermal mass and therefore low thermal conductivity of timber frame construction, the structure itself won’t need to absorb heat to warm up before you can warm up the space. Why is it that there are magazines, websites, online interest groups and forums, and building awards dedicated to timber construction? Now I’m not saying that builders who don’t specialize in timber construction don’t care about their work, but you can be sure that most timber builders are passionate about working with wood and take huge pride in their craft. So if you are going to be going with the lowest bidder (which in all likelihood you are), why not ensure that you choose to have your home built by people whose work is their passion? Use timber cladding in some of your living areas and you’ll also get the additional benefit of the feeling of warmth and coziness exuded by natural timber. Jacques Cronje www.timberdesign.co.za • TIMBER • BUILDING • PAINTING • GARDENING TIMBER DECKING IN PINE AND SALIGNA TIMBER CLADDING USED IN LOG HOMES PINE AND SALIGNA FLOORING POST AND RAIL FENCING TREATED AND UNTREATED STRUCTURAL SAP THATCHING USED FOR THATCH ROOFS WOODEN WINDOWS AND DOORS Our sales representatives are experienced and thoroughly trained to assist you with any problems or questions you may have. Tel: (+27) 11 396 2300/1/2/3 or fax: (+27) 11 396 1047. If you have any queries, simply email us at admin@noags.co.za or visit our website for more information: www.noags.co.za Visit us at our premises: 19 Pomona Road, Kempton Park. ALL HARDWARE AND BUILDING MATERIAL news Tintswalo Property Group stamps its authority on the SA property development market There is little doubt that the South African commercial property market is in a strong position. In fact, according to Investment Property Databank's (IPD) 2011 report, this market has outperformed all other markets in local currency terms for the past seven out of nine years. news news O n the back of these favourable market conditions, property development and management company Tintswalo Property Group has flourished, establishing a significant impact across the length and breadth of the South African retail and boutique lodges landscape. The company is a leading retail centre developer, and is currently engaged in expansion across the country in emerging towns and cities, such as Bethlehem in the Free State, Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, and Zeerust in the North West Province. Tintswalo Property Group CEO, Lisa Goosen notes that the company’s considerable expertise and success provide a substantial advantage. “The Group has many years of experience, considerable financial knowledge, an impressive portfolio of existing properties, and a comprehensive understanding of the unique South African context. “As such, our company has the requisite expertise to offer the highest level of excellence, quality, and collaboration in retail property, ensuring that our investors and tenants alike receive viable and well-planned developments. Tintswalo Property Group will continue to build on these lucrative foundations, recognising opportunities for people examining property- and retail development options.” Tintswalo is a Shangaan expression meaning ‘the intangible feeling of love, gratitude and peace bestowed upon someone offering you a meaningful and worthy gift.’ Goosen says that this phrase describes the company’s business philosophy perfectly, as it always aims to exchange above what is expected, and deliver more than is promised. She adds that the company’s hands-on business style allows them to provide their clients with increasing asset values which enhance the areas in which they are located. Goosen explains that an important aspect of this value offering is furthering community development. Therefore, she notes, Tintswalo Property Group always embarks on community projects in underprivileged areas, ensuring that a developed centre also creates a safe, clean and aesthetic environment. This action ensures that communities are also able to prosper from the company’s commercial developments. Its commitment to community development has also resulted in the company undertaking several Corporate Social Investment (CSI) projects. Pertinent examples include Tintswalo Property Group’s involvement in aiding youth development through the ‘Youth for Human Rights’ and the ‘Truth About Drugs’ programmes. The former initiative educates young people about their basic human rights, while the latter informs them about the inherent dangers faced when using drugs. 40 AUGUST 2012 // Goosen concludes that the country’s bright prospects will aid the company’s growth ambitions. “Tintswalo Property Group firmly believes in the future of South Africa, and is eager to contribute to the country’s growth. As such, we intend to develop new centres every alternate year, and ultimately manage our own portfolio of no less than 10 centres. These will not only provide our clients with a world class property of enduring quality, but also add considerable value to adjoining communities.” About Tintswalo Property Group The Tintswalo Property Group, which currently employs 260 people, was founded by Ernest and Gaye Corbett in 1975 as Century Retail Development, which developed retail shopping centres in rural areas as its primary business. In 2003, the group was joined by the Corbett’s’ daughter Lisa and her husband Warwick Goosen, who together started the five star Tintswalo Lodge collection. The company has subsequently become known as the Tintswalo Property Group. About Tintswalo Lodges Tintswalo Property Group boasts three five-star, uniquely South African and eco-styled boutique lodge destinations. Tintswalo Safari Lodge is located in the Greater Kruger Park, Tintswalo at Waterfall is in Kyalami, Johannesburg, and Tintswalo Atlantic is located on Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Town. Tintswalo Manor House is a fourth lodge under the Tintswalo Property Group, and while it is as equally opulent as the abovementioned, it is better equipped towards a local family market. For more information on Tintswalo Property Group, visit www.tintswalo.com PiNETiMBER Tel : 031 579 3401 Board Express ply Leading Board Timber & Hardware Sup Store novolam melamine finishes that last SUPA WOOD 10 Palmfield Road, Springfield Industrial Park www.pinetimbers.co.za Optimising the Future Donald Fuchs machinery H: : : B : S: HPP ::: :: :: W W AB ::: B::::t A :ti:: :::: C To find out more::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Follow us on facebook at: Up to 6m long - 250 x 250 mm or bigger! Cut to order. Fully pressure treated. Cheaper than you think. Phone for a quote or see our website. Tel: 013 751 3021 / Mobile: 082 785 8215 / Email: pullscar@mweb.co.za www.pullscar.co.za BHX::: product news Zai CORE Axe by Kacper Hamilton The Zai CORE Axe was designed by ECAL/Kacper Hamilton for Swiss ski company Zai. product news T he CORE Axe consists of a helve and two interchangeable heads. The straight shaft helve is made from a sandwich of carbon fibre and ash wood. The layering construction is inspired by Zai’s process and philosophy of making skis using raw and contrasting materials in Disentis, Switzerland. Carbon fibre is used to provide strength whilst the ash wood forms a protective shell around the core and pays homage to the heritage of a traditional axe. The form of the helve has been refined to be slim and lightweight, reducing the thickness substantially to 13mm along the spine. The weight of the axe is thereby focused at the head, generating greater striking momentum and efficiency when cutting or splitting wood. The two heads are made from forged high carbon steel with a blackened finish. They can be changed using the integrated quick release system, allowing for secure head attachment, easier sharpening and safer transportation. Each head has a different function; one is for felling trees and the other for splitting logs of wood. Zai CORE Axe is a quintessential companion for the mountains, around the chalet or on a trek. Axe 28” helve - Ash wood + Carbon Fibre Felling head - Forged high Carbon Steel 1200g Splitting head - Forged high Carbon Steel 1500g ECAL/Kacper Hamilton www.kacperhamilton.com www.zai.ch www.ecal.ch // AUGUST 2012 43 NEWS Industrial CAT scans can now be done on campus Ever wished there was somewhere you could get a 3D scan - similar to that of a CAT scan - of a piece of wood, metal or vine? Thanks to the newly established Computed Tomography (CT) scanner facility of Stellenbosch University's Central Analytical Facility (CAF) this is now possible. A s part of CAF, this multi-user facility is open to both academics and commercial clients from industry. It is based in the Department of Forestry and Wood Science and was funded through the National Research Foundation and Stellenbosch University, through a grant obtained by Prof. Thomas Seifert. With micro-focus X-ray CT scanners one can nondestructively slice and image the inside of materials, by providing a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) look into and through materials at a high spatial resolution. The resulting data provides information on different material properties based on density variations in full 3D. “Our new industrial sized scanner uses the same type of technology as a medical-type CAT or CT scanner does,” explains CT scanner facility manager Dr Anton du Plessis, who is an alumnus of the SU Department of Physics. “However, it can penetrate much more dense objects than just merely tissue and bone that medical scanners can do, and can even be used to investigate steel and rock samples.” Forestry and wood science One of the major fields of interest is the scanning of wood samples from trees, which is the expertise of the grant holder Prof. Thomas Seifert. Having done similar work in Germany, he now continues this work through a variety of student projects. One such project involves the scanning of wood disks and drill cores to relate density variations of the tree rings to tree stress and climate change. Other applications in wood science include the quantification of growth stress induced by fire damage and the quantification and distribution of resin pockets. Structures in wood can be assessed on the macroscopic and the anatomic level. The main objectives are to explain the structural variability of wood as a response to environmental, pathological and silvicultural changes in the environment and to obtain a better understanding of the tree-environment interaction of indigenous and introduced commercial species. Further work will be conducted to assess and improve quality of wood based products. The General Electric Phoenix model V|tome|x L-240 microfocus CT is one of the most versatile scanners on the market, and comes with two tubes for different penetration and resolution. It covers a large range of resolutions from 1-150 micrometres, as well as a variety of sample sizes up to 50 kg. “The smaller the sample, the better the resolution,” he says. “The number of potential applications is nearly limitless, and users from extremely diverse fields such as wood science, viticulture and engineering can all use this stateof-the-art technology,” believes Dr du Plessis. “This stateof-the-art technology is now available as a service to local manufacturing industry as well; especially those companies already using x-ray imaging will be able to make use of the advantages gained with the 3D capabilities of this type of imaging.” 44 AUGUST 2012 // Examples of scans of a wood cylinder showing density variations in the tree rings. Viticulture Another interesting application is in Viticulture, in particular the scanning of vine grafts. Because the technique is non-destructive and various 2D slices can be made from the 3D data set, more information on the internal structure of the vine graft and the connections of xylem from old to new sections can be extracted. TIMBER PRESERVATION SERVICES An Operation of United Tube (PTY) LTD TEL: 021 534 7001/2/3 | FAX: 021 534 7004 | EMAIL: pieterd@tpscape.co.za 86 Fitzmaurice Avenue, Epping 2 Pieter: 071 350 7641 | Moaim: 072 514 9509 | Willie: 083 634 8284 TIMBER SUPPLIERS FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS • • • • • Own treatment Plant Facilities to rework timber SATAS Accredited Imported Pine timber available Various Tanalised (CCA) and new generation Vacsol Azure (Clear) treatment options available to protect your timber. TM TM • H2 Low Hazard – Interior Use: Timber to be used under a roof. Timber not to be in contact with the ground and not exposed to leaching and weathering. “ Lonza Wood Protection has obtained third-party verification on health, eco-toxicity and environmental claims for Vacsol™ Azure™ pressure treated wood through Ecospecifier Global”. • H3 Moderate Hazard – Exterior Above Ground Use: Timber not to be in contact with the ground but may be exposed to leaching and weathering. •• H4 High Hazard – Ground Contact Use: Timber may be in direct contact with the ground. BOARDS •• 18mm Shutterply Treated and Untreated 1.220 x 2.440 •• 21mm Shutterply Treated and Untreated 1.220 x 2.440 SA PINE COMPETITIVE PRICES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST Credit facilities available to approved customers Stock subject to availability Deliveries available E&O For more information on Treated Timber visit www.tanalised.com/sa NEWS A vine graft imaged by physical slicing (above) and its corresponding CT scan virtual slice (below). The vine was CT scanned before physical slicing. Images thanks to Andries Bester, Department of Viticulture, Stellenbosch University. A metallic medical implant manufactured using advanced laser technology can be inspected in full 3D for potential structural problems or cracks. Images thanks to Gerrie Booysen, Central University of Technology, Free State. Dimensional measurement /metrology In a similar type of application, CT scanning of mechanical components allows them to be dimensionally measured, especially useful for example with interior diameters of closed components. In the example below, various parts of a wood boring tool were measured after scanning the tool. Engineering and materials analysis Another major application field is in the inspection of mechanical components to check for porosity and microcracks. In one such example shown below, a medical implant (jawbone) was scanned, which was produced using laser additive manufacturing at the Central University of Technology’s Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing. This particular component showed no structural problems even though it was produced in its entirety in one single process. Future work in this direction will involve the use of CT scanning to quantify porosity of components to improve the process especially for new materials and new processes being developed. Quality control is also possible with either the fast 2D inspection or full 3D inspection. 46 AUGUST 2012 // Dimensional measurement of objects finds a particular niche application area, and includes the measurement of distances in enclosed objects, the accurate measurement of enclosed volumes and even the surface measurement of objects producing surface file output such as STL format. This dimensional control is particularly relevant in reverse engineering and rapid prototyping processes. Contact Anyone requiring high resolution non-destructive 2D or 3D inspection would find the technology beneficial to their research projects. Pricing is from R300 an hour for academic projects and R1000 an hour for commercial clients. Please contact Dr. Anton du Plessis for more information at anton2@sun.ac.za or 021 808 9389. See also www.sun.ac.za/caf for more information and other facilities available. Priced from: R500 000 ex. VAT National Number: 0861 699 969 Email: Joburg/Cape/Durban@geerlings.co.za Website: www.geerlings.co.za PRODUCT NEWS One of HUBTEX’s signature products, the Fourway Sideloader is a very robust and compact vehicle developed for indoor and outdoor use. Hubtex Hits S.A. Leading materials handling equipment supplier in SA, Goscor Lift Truck Company (GLTC), part of Imperial's Goscor Group, has secured the sole agency for German-based Hubtex products in southern Africa. G LTC MD Darryl Shafto says Goscor is pleased to be partnering with a company that makes trucks of such outstanding quality. “Hubtex has really made an indelible impression worldwide for their quality, ingenuity and service,” Shafto says. Shafto adds that HUBTEX’s wide range of products will enable GLTC to broaden its offering of materials handling solutions in the local market. “With HUBTEX’s four-way reach trucks, as well as their lift trucks that can handle long loads, new markets in which GLTC has not operated before are now open to us. These markets include the steel and timber industries, the glass industry, builders’ merchant outlets, and others,” Shafto says. In fact, with products that range from simple manual forklift trucks to high-lift picking trucks and rail-mounted lift trucks with load capacities ranging from 0,8 tons to 350 tons, HUBTEX’s product range covers several industrial sectors, including, of course, lifting and transport equipment for the textile industry – weaving mills and warp knitting factories - where HUBTEX started business. 48 AUGUST 2012 // Shafto says that one of their primary targets in South Africa will be the timber industry, including timber wholesalers, sawmills, wood-processing companies, kitchen manufacturers and others. “Many of the more common products that are lifted and carried include chipboard, plywood, timber roof trusses, construction and finished timber along with kitchen worktops, and doors,” says Shafto. Some of the more important HUBTEX products include: Fourway Sideloader One of HUBTEX’s signature products, the Fourway Sideloader is a very robust and compact vehicle developed for indoor and outdoor use which, because of its soft elastic tyres, can also be used on semi-solid ground. HUBTEX was the first company in the world to introduce soft elastic tyres for fourway sideloaders for operation on uneven and semi-solid ground. LIFT TRUCK COMPANY PRODUCT NEWS “HUBTEX cutting-edge tyre technology is one of its greatest advantages,” says Shafto. “This allows them to operate comfortably, reliably and efficiently outdoors, on rough terrain, as well as indoors, making them very well suited to many of the areas in which Goscor does not yet operate.” Available in either diesel or gas and with load capacities of up to 10 tons, these three-wheel hydrostatically driven Fourway Sideloaders are all-purpose vehicles, which can be used for the transport of long loads in narrow aisles, or as conventional front loaders for conventional pallet stacking. Electrical Multidirectional Sideloaders The second series of signature products are the Electric Multidirectional Sideloaders (EMS). These are suitable for the versatile handling of long loads, stacks of metals sheets, chipboard, tools, cable drums, rollers, oversized pallets and round-bar stock. With capacities from 0.8 tons to 50 tons, the EMS is suited to both indoor and outdoor applications and can be used in guided or unguided operation in very narrow aisles. They also feature multidirectional steering to maximise maneuverability. The three most popular HUBTEX EMS series are the 2150 series, the 2120 series, and the 2130 series. The 2150 series is a robust machine with extremely high load capacities. It transports and handles long and heavy loads in combined indoor and outdoor applications. Due to its powerful travel motors and large plastic tyres, it can reach speeds of up to 16km/h. These sideloaders can be used in outdoor areas and are proven workhorses even in poor weather conditions. These pickers are equipped with articulated two-piece chassis, robust lift masts, three-phase brushless motors, a unique information terminal with colour display and ergonomic and comfortable operator workstation for enhanced efficiency. “HUBTEX’s picking machines meet warehousing and transporting needs for a wide variety of industries and product lines,” says Shafto. “Again, as with the more conventional Hubtex trucks, they will help us in those areas we have not been into, like the large volume timber and steel businesses and many more.” HUBTEX has a wide variety of other products, including a compact front-lift for moving heavy loads in a very confined space where conventional front-loaders cannot operate; the series 4120 forklift reach truck, with capacities from 3500 kg to 6000 kg, which is an alternative to conventional reach trucks with restricted standardised capacities; and rail-mounted lift trucks, exclusively designed for in-plant transport, with capacities of up to 150 tons. Lars Beuel, Hubtex sales manager material handling, says he is optimistic about the new venture in South Africa. “We saw very quickly that GLTC is a consummately professional company and that our products will add strategic value to their current range. I look forward to working with Darryl and the Goscor team and to building a memorable partnership in that country,” he says. Goscor Lift Truck Company has established a powerful reputation in South Africa as the sole local distributor of Crown, Doosan and Bendi products and has, since 1984, offered a world-class sales and support service in the materials-handling equipment industry. The 2130 series machines are known for their versatility. With multidirectional steering, they are the entry level for heavy load handling. With their soft plastic tyres, they handle long and heavy loads of up to 6 tons in both indoor and outdoor applications. The heavy-duty 2120 series, also with multidirectional steering, is characterised by its robust design and high load capacities. With its large-sized Vulkollan (PU) tyres, these are mainly used indoors or in canopied outdoor areas. Order Picking HUBTEX picking trucks are based on a conventional multidirectional sideloader or the more specialized platform configuration. The MU-OP one-man and MU-SO one and two-man order picking trucks are used for picking long loads. They are specially made for aluminium, plastic or steel profiles and for order picking in narrow aisles. 50 AUGUST 2012 // Left to right: Darryl Shafto, Goscor Lift Truck Company JHB managing director, Lars Beuel, HUBTEX sales manager material handling and Patrick Barber Goscor Lift Truck Company JHB national sales manager. Timber Nail Plated Trusses Light Gauge Steel Trusses Steel Wall Framing Full engineering service & guarantee on all products Unmatched Quality provided in over 200 countries MiTek Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd Midrand: 011 237 8700 Durban: 031 700 6332 P.E: 041 581 7525 Cape Town: 021 905 0244 E-mail : marketing@mitek.co.za company profile Selectively sourced hardwoods from around the world E co Timber Traders is a KZN based timber merchant specialising in stocking and distributing quality Exotic Hardwoods. They take pride in ensuring that wherever possible, their timber comes from well managed plantations or sustainable forests from around the world. With regards to African species, they endeavour to buy from suppliers who have genuine concessions and certificates to fell logs and produce planked timber. Flooring: Eco Timber Traders supplies timber to furniture manufacturers, shopfitters, joiners, cabinet makers, boat builders, the kitchen industry and to the hobbyist working in his garage at home. Eco stocks a wide range of plywoods, including Marine ply, Commercial Ply, Birch Ply, Shutterply and exotic veneered backing ply in Cherry, Walnut, Maple, Sapele, Oak and Beech. It is important to note that they cater for both small and large volume requirements. Natural Edged Timber Slabs: Products include: Hard and soft woods: Eco Timber Traders carries over 40 species of hard and soft woods in various sizes and grades. Decking: The company carries a full range of Balau in all structural sizes and in pre-moulded decking planks of 19x68 and 19x90. Massaranduba has also been introduced as a decking stock item. 52 AUGUST 2012 // Eco Timber Traders machine Tongue and Groove or Maxi plank solid flooring from any of the stocked species, the most common being Rhodesian Teak, Kiaat, Oak, Mahogany, Oregon and Saligna. Plywoods: Eco stocks a selection of natural edged solid timber slabs. These are ideal for bar counters and rustic table tops. Sealers: Eco Timber Traders carries a range of Woodoc products which are excellent for many different interior and exterior sealing applications. They have also recently introduced the Rystix Timbercare range. Rystix have solvent and water based products. They are currently an agent for ProNature natural wood sealers, which are made from sustainable, renewable materials like linseed oil and bees’ wax, manufactured by Envirotouch in Cape Town. company profile Services: Eco Timber Traders offer one-on-one assistance and advice and will advise you on what specie of timber would be best suited to your application and will then help you select the best planks for the job. Their machine shop can surface, rip and plane your planks to your preferred specification, as well as laminate and sand your tops if required. They can also plane your bundles down to your exact finished size and cross cut your components. They are also able to run basic mouldings for skirtings, architraves, flooring and ceiling boards, and this can be done with the wood of your choice. Timber identification: There are very few places in the country where one can get timber identified. Timber identification can be done by visual inspection where the sample of wood in question is inspected for colour, grain figure, weight and even smell. Most of the time if it’s a wood that Eco Timber Traders is familiar with, it can be identified straight away. If the timber cannot be visually identified, a sample will be sent away to a lab where the cell structure is carefully examined under a microscope by a professor of wood science. Giving back In an effort to give something back to the forests from which we earn a living, Eco Timber Traders has initiated a scheme whereby on request, indigenous trees are given away for every sale of wood that is over 1m3. A passionate team Eco Timber Traders is a team of passionate, excited and motivated people who love wood and love to sell. The company is spearheaded by Hans Schneemann and Rob Chubb whose combined experience in the timber industry exceeds thirty years. They operate out of a Warehouse in central Pinetown and are able to deliver to your home or factory doorstep anywhere in Kwazulu Natal. Contact Us Tel: +27 (0) 31 701 7023 Fax: +27 (0) 31 701 9576 Email Hans: hans@ecotimbertraders.co.za Email Rob: rob@ecotimbertraders.co.za Website: www.ecotimbertraders.co.za // AUGUST 2012 53 itc Regulating the manufacturing and erection of timber roof structures Roof trusses come in all shapes and sizes to suit every roof design, and constitute the large timber members that comprise the framework of the roof, providing a structural base for the installation of the roof covering material. T he main members of the roof structure are referred to as the rafters, tie beams and the webs. Timber trusses are either prefabricated or manufactured on site by a specialist carpenter. Site manufactured roof trusses are bound to comply with the deemed-tosatisfy requirements of SANS 10400 (Part L), which does not cater for complex roofing solutions. The architect’s design of the roof will determine the truss design and depends on factors such as the intended pitch of the roof, configuration of the house and whether or not the internal walls are load-bearing. When the builder has erected the scaffolding, the roof trusses are hauled up onto the top of the walls and are then firmly fixed onto wall plates with metal anchors/ties that have been pre-built into the brickwork. Role of the Institute for Timber Construction The Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA) is an industry body geared to informing and educating 54 AUGUST 2012 // building contractors about this integral component of the roofing structure, while equipping homeowners with information that can affect the building of their homes. The ITC-SA conducts ongoing research and development to ensure that the design, manufacture and erection of prefabricated nail-plated timber trusses are carried out in accordance with set industry standards. To enable this, the ITC-SA liaises closely with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), the National Home Builder Registration Council, the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications, the South African Timber Auditing Services (SATAS), the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the four leading nail plate system providers, Mitek Industries, Alpine Automation SA, and Multinail Africa and International Truss Systems, which supply fabricators with engineering software for the design and manufacturing of rationally designed timber roof structures. itc Erectors: On the operational front, the ITC-SA has established regional branches in the Western Cape, South/Eastern Cape, OFS, Polokwane, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, all of which are operating successfully. To regulate the application of structural timber, the ITC-SA is involved in the following activities: •Acquiring the necessary skills in the field of timber engineering from international sources, or through research, so as to develop reliable codes of practice. •Research and updating of bracing and connection rules through the Timber Engineering Advisory Committee, and the publication of erectors’ and designers’ handbooks to disseminate information to the market place. •Arranging awareness seminars on the erection and bracing procedures for engineers, architects, clerks of works, building inspectors, builders and carpenters. •Encouraging the removal of barriers for the acceptance of timber structures by local authorities, government agencies, lending institutions and professional groups. •Working to establish the availability of appropriate grades, sizes and quality timber that will ensure safe and economical timber structures. •Providing the expertise to answer technical enquiries effectively and to investigate problem structures impartially, or to act on complaints from customers or fabricators in an unbiased and fair manner. Engineers: ITC-SA acknowledges engineers with extensive experience and proven competence in timber engineering by accepting them as Accredited Engineer Members. To ensure full compliance with all the provisions of the Building Standards Act and National Building Regulations, these engineers may inspect and sign off rationally designed and erected timber roof structures. Bracing and connection rules for timber roof structures are researched and updated. Awareness is created through seminars and presentations to disseminate information and amendments on specifications and regulations to industry role players and to educate erectors where possible. The Institute has developed two volumes for the erection of timber roof structures. The Roof Erectors Handbook Volumes One and Two have been revised and updated to include changes in SANS 10243, and are available from the ITC-SA offices. The ITC-SA co-ordinates an infrastructure of professional roof inspectors, who operate under delegated authority from the ITC-SA Accredited Engineers. These accredited inspectors are able to inspect the timber roof structure for compliance with the National Building Regulations, so that homeowners can obtain an occupancy certificate from the local authority. Training: The ITC-SA constantly evaluates the performance and skills of its members, and to enhance industry capabilities, presents courses and provides information that will assist members and non-members in adhering to standards. Membership benefits: The ITC-SA and its members are key role players in the timber roof truss industry. The Institute provides an opportunity for everyone associated with it to participate and shape the future of the industry through knowledge and expertise, so as to continuously update and review regulations and specifications. The ITC-SA believes in an industry working in unison to promote a common interest and which will produce results more effectively than individuals working separately. Also, a unified Institute has more authority than individuals, and can ensure that the industry follows and complies with the norms and standards that have been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and which will allow for proper regulation. Institute for Timber Construction South Africa Fabricators: To ensure compliance with industry standards, licensed fabricators are audited for the awarding of a Certificate of Competence. This certificate confirms competence and quality in the manufacturing and supply of pre-fabricated nail plated timber trusses. The ITC-SA also runs courses for estimators and designers, and strives to continuously upgrade the quality and competency of personnel in truss plants. Tel: 011 974 1061 Fax: 011 392 6155 Toll-free: 0800TIMBER E-mail: fred@itc-sa.org Web: www.itc-sa.org // AUGUST 2012 55 news Lonza's Tanalised™ Treated Pole Seminar Raises Awareness about Quality Treated Poles in Zimbabwe Lonza Wood Protection, (Arch Wood Protection acquired by Lonza in 2011), has taken the initiative and set the bar in raising awareness about the importance of quality preservative treated poles in Zimbabwe. T he Tanalised™ Pole Seminar, recently hosted by Lonza in Harare, received an overwhelmingly positive response from local pole treaters, power and telecommunication utility companies, as well as representatives from the Zimbabwe Standards Association and Government and the Botswana Standards group. “Our main objective was to create an education platform to provide the various end-users in Zimbabwe with a broad understanding of the importance of timber preservation and, in particular, the benefits of Tanalised™ wood preservative treated poles. Our speaker line-up comprised experienced professionals who were qualified to empower the attendees with knowledge in the field of timber preservation, quality issues and National Standards,” said Gerard Busse, Marketing Manager, Lonza Wood Protection. The emerging creosote shortage brought the benefits and growing demand for Tanalised™ wood preservative treated poles under the spotlight as one of the main topics of the seminar. Darren Marillier, Sales Manager at Lonza Wood Protection, presented the numerous benefits of treating with Tanalith™C wood preservative with Weatherwood™ water repellent additive across all utility, agricultural, building and fencing pole requirements. In particular, the excellent fungal performance, stability of the wood preservative in the treated timber, quality control and transport cost benefits were highlighted. Darren added that Tanalith™C wood preservative has grown in popularity throughout Africa in part because it fully penetrates the sapwood of eucalyptus transmission poles through a chemical bonding to the wood cells. He explained that the Full-Cell Tanalised™ treatment process ensures full sapwood penetration more readily than the treatment processes used with other wood preservatives. Darren closed by underlining the proven track record of Lonza and Tanalised™ wood preservative treated poles, including Lonza’s reputable ISO standard rating and full client technical support. Guest speakers, Bruce Breedt - Executive Director of the South African Wood Preservers Association and Philip Boardman - owner of Alternative Structures, shared their wealth of industry knowledge that covered the basics of wood preservation to the importance of quality in the treatment of poles. Other important aspects covered included product certification systems and the preparation of treated poles for the endmarket by adding value through the identification and application of anti-split plates to treated poles. Both Breedt and Boardman agreed that the seminar presented a ‘win-win’ situation, as they were grateful for the opportunity and platform to raise awareness about the need for quality preservative treated poles. To bring ‘local flavour’ to the seminar, Maxwell Nyanungo of Standards Association of Zimbabwe, discussed product certification to the Zimbabwe timber industry. The topic was well received and led to an in-depth discussion with many questions being raised and clarified. In conclusion, Doug Sayce, General Manager of Lonza Wood Protection, expressed his confidence that the objectives of the seminar had been met by saying, “The positive response to the seminar from a very strong contingent of industry and government role players has been encouraging for us. I believe that our objective of highlighting the quality cycle of preservative treated poles was well addressed and well received.” Further information can be found at www.lonza.com. 56 AUGUST 2012 // CIFOR REDD+ as an idea is a success but implementing it is fraught with challenges, new global study says. Photographs: CIFOR I mplementation of a UN-backed scheme that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by protecting tropical forests is fraught with challenges, but these can be overcome with technical solutions and increased political will, according to the authors of a new publication from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). Analysing REDD+: Challenges and Choices, released on the side-lines of the Rio +20 summit, reports on the current state of REDD+, which stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, as well as the conservation and sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. The study, drawing on three years of research across Asia, Africa and Latin America, offers fresh insights into the challenges faced by REDD+, and suggests new ways of addressing some of them. “There are a lot of practical challenges, but this book shows there are workable, technical solutions to these, so the main problems are really the political ones,” says Arild Angelsen, an environmental economist with CIFOR and professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, and the book's main editor. “You cannot address climate change without including REDD+.” Seven years since the idea of reducing emissions through avoided deforestation was launched, the publication takes 58 AUGUST 2012 // a critical look at REDD+, asking how it has changed, how it is unfolding in specific national policy arenas – and highlighting the choices for making REDD+ more effective, efficient, and equitable. “REDD+ as an idea is a success story,” says Angelsen. “It was something genuinely new, and the new key element was that it was based on payments for performance or results. And it was also to be accompanied by big money.” “We compare it to 'sustainable development' – a nice catch phrase and promising to do a lot. Both ideas have been an inspiration for policy makers and practitioners.” But as REDD+ has moved from an idea into the real world, the difficulties have mounted. Those challenges are both practical and political. They range from how to measure and monitor the carbon emissions avoided by leaving a forest standing, to deciding who should get the money generated by REDD+, to achieving coordination among local, regional, national and international levels of governance. “REDD+ design and implementation is extremely challenging,” says Angelsen. “The devil is in the detail – when you start to work out the specifics of REDD+ then there is more conflict.” An emerging problem for REDD+ is how to develop reference levels, in order to provide a benchmark to measure the impact of the scheme in the form of reduced or avoided emissions. CIFOR CIFOR To make payments based on results, REDD+ needs a standardised mechanism to measure how much carbon would have been released, had a forest been destroyed or degraded rather than protected. ©CIFOR This is a difficult task – facing a lack of data, high uncertainty about predicting deforestation rates in the future, and strong incentives for biased estimates. Analysing REDD+, which was published as part of CIFOR’s Global Comparative Study on REDD+, presents a new, step-wise approach to developing reference levels at the national level, which would allow all countries to build these all-important reference levels, even if they have low levels of institutional capacity and ability to collect data. The book also reveals some encouraging news regarding the location of REDD+ pilot projects. The success of REDD+ in actually reducing carbon emissions depends on interventions happening in areas of high deforestation. Analysing REDD+'s detailed study of project locations in Brazil and Indonesia finds that REDD+ projects are more likely to be established in areas with high deforestation rates and high forest carbon densities – suggesting the projects have the potential to make an impact. In the book’s concluding chapter, Angelsen and CIFOR Director General Frances Seymour say there is much uncertainty about REDD+, but this should not lead to inaction. They say there exist 'no-regrets' actions that should be put in place immediately and that represent good public policy even if they do not eventually generate emissions reductions. These include clarifying land tenure, removing perverse subsidies, and improving access to forest-related data, as well as improving institutional capacity and law enforcement. However, Angelsen says REDD+'s primary goal should still be the reduction of carbon emissions. “There is a high risk of harmful climate change, and we should do something about that, and REDD+ is a key part of what we should do,” Angelsen says. “It's not simple, but still, REDD+ is easier and cheaper than a lot of other mitigation efforts. So I think there are still things to be excited about when it comes to REDD+.” The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) advances human wellbeing, environmental conservation and equity by conducting research to inform policies and practices that affect forests in developing countries. CIFOR helps ensure that decisionmaking that affects forests is based on solid science and principles of good governance, and reflects the perspectives of developing countries and forest-dependent people. CIFOR is one of 15 centres within the CGIAR. For more information: Daniel Cooney d.cooney@cgiar.org ©CIFOR 60 AUGUST 2012 // BUILDING THE BUSINESS CASE FOR GREEN The 5th GBCSA Convention and Exhibition will generate compelling, inspiring, thought-provoking solutions - revealing the bottom-line benefits of building green. KEYNOTE EXPERTS INCLUDE: Attend South Africa's premier green building event • Jerry Yudelson, Godfather of Green • Dan Epstein, trailblazing London Olympics sustainability consultant • Dr Nils Kok, inspiring green economist • Rachel Botsman, social innovator + one of the top 20 speakers in the world • • • • Follow us on: REGISTER NOW: www.gbcsa-convention.org.za Access cutting edge knowledge and best practice in green building Tap into local and international case studies Learn hands-on realities at education day master classes Experience the latest green building products and technologies from over 70 exhibitors product news Clamping down with the Eclipse range of quality consumables for professionals and DIY enthusiasts Quality in tools is very important to the engineering, woodworking and DIY industries. An investment in reliable and trustworthy brands pays dividends by increasing the longevity of the tool, increasing productivity and enhancing product quality. F irst Cut, a reputable and experienced distributor of international capital equipment and consumables, seeks solutions for its customers that are not only application-specific but that will stand the test of time. “Eclipse manufactures a wide range of high quality G-clamps, one-handed bar clamps, sash clamps and vices that are geared towards our discerning customer base,” says First Cut Sales Director, Gary Willis. With a national network of branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, First Cut is able to provide customers with expert advice, 24-hour delivery service, superior technical support and a product range that has been selected for a best-practice customer experience. “A differentiating factor with Eclipse tools is that even though they are of a high enough specification to be utilised in the demanding areas of both engineering and woodworking, where there is no room for error, they are still affordable enough for DIY enthusiasts,” says Willis. “This obviously has direct benefits for the DIY sector, since they are able to leverage the research and development that has gone into these precision tools, at a price that will not break the budget.” The Eclipse range of G-clamps comprises an unbreakable malleable cast iron frame that ensures any downtime, due to product failure, is eliminated. In addition the tommy bar, incorporated into the design, bends before the frame can become over-stressed. “These clamps are so reliable that there have been absolutely no product returns since their launch two years ago,” says Willis. 62 AUGUST 2012 // The steel swivel shoe applies consistent clamping pressure, even on angled surfaces, and the fast two-start rolled acme thread ensures quick opening and closing of the clamp. The G-clamps are available in six sizes: 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300mm. “The one-handed bar clamps, with quick release trigger, enable the user to have one hand free to hold the workpiece. This is a great addition for DIY and woodworking enthusiasts who need to clamp or spread the workpiece,” says Willis. Available in five sizes from 150 up to 900mm, the one-handed bar clamps have a slight toe-in at the top to improve clamping pressure and are capable of 150kg clamping force. Durability is provided by the reinforced nylon body and carbon steel bar. Eclipse mechanic’s vices are precision-milled to ensure fast and smooth operation. The body and sliding jaw are manufactured from high-quality cast iron, which has excellent shock absorbing characteristics. The full range of five different sizes, from 75 to 200mm, can be benchmounted or mounted on optional swivel bases, dependent on the application. “These vices are really cost-effective, since the steel serrated jaws can be replaced when worn,” says Willis. Designed for the woodworking market, the quick release woodworker’s vices open and close without the use of the main screw. “These products, as well as a number of other new releases from Eclipse, offer our current and potential customers all the benefits of high-end tools, without the accompanying high price,” Willis concludes. NEW RELEASE 2012 EDITION We are pleased to announce the publication of the Handbook for the Application of the Amendments to the National Building Regulations for Energy Usage” authored by Howard Harris. This Handbook is a must-have for Architects, Competent Persons, and other Industry Professionals who need to be familiar with the recently amended National Building Regulations and SANS10400XA and SANS204. Proudly Published by This publication is available for purchase at a cost of R185 (including VAT) plus the cost of delivery. To order your copy, please contact: Tel: (012) 460-8683 Fax: 086-592-2120 E-mail: admin@spenergy.co.za www.structatherm.co.za