The York Timbers Research chair at the University of Pretoria’s faculty of engineering, built environment and information technology works with professionals from different disciplines in the evolving field of engineered timber technologies and the innovative design processes linked to them. While much of its focus is in tertiary education, the team is also active in the professional development of architects and engineers and research towards robust and locally relevant design standards and guidelines. It promotes design with renewable building materials. The construction sector is a large contributor to climate change and has to contend with pressure to increase productivity and digitise to meet the demands of rapid urbanisation. Mass engineered timber is emerging as an alternative to emission-intensive materials such as concrete, steel and brick. These buildings can be constructed faster, using fewer resources and with a significantly smaller carbon footprint. The research chair drives the adoption of sustainable engineered timber construction across the African continent through training, transdisciplinary research and expositional initiatives. Integrating the fields of structural engineering, architecture and technology management, the chair focuses on the responsible use of new wood products, such as cross-laminated timber, for a more sustainable, low-carbon built environment. Through its transdisciplinary approach, the group develops regionally relevant approaches to the design, production and construction of buildings that contribute to a just green transition and stimulate the bioeconomy.
Greatest achievements
The Timber Construction Research Colloquium and Conference was attended by about 250 delegates, showing a substantial increase in interest from last year. We are especially happy about the number of delegates from both architectural and structural engineering backgrounds. This is a clear indication of the growing interest in timber construction in South Africa.
The architectural timber design competition has more than doubled in its reach. The competition attracted almost a hundred teams from most of South Africa’s architecture schools. The top 16 projects were exhibited in Pretoria.
Multiple practical timber design, manufacturing and assembly training courses for university students and professionals. Participants receive theoretical and practical training in timber architecture. This also provides hands-on experience through prototyping using fourth industrial revolution technologies. About 200 participants attended one of the courses organised with RAW Modular and Earthworld Architects.
The Green Building Convention is an annual event organised by the Green Building Council, South Africa. The 2024 event’s theme was Zero+: Net Zero Today, Climate Positive Tomorrow, reflecting the commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. A timber construction workshop was held, and an exhibition stand was built. Both activities included collaboration from various organisations.
What advice would you give to future generations?
There is no single solution to solving climate change, especially in the built environment. Sustainable mass timber construction offers tremendous potential. But every intentional step — whether it’s adopting innovative materials, refining sustainable design practices or pushing forward with responsible construction — brings us closer to a more resilient and healthier building and cities. It’s this commitment to continuous incremental improvement that will ultimately unlock the transition from hundreds of years of extractive building practices to a regenerative built environment.