Hout Bay House research project is focused on exploring unique type of timber construction located in Western Cape. The main objective is to evaluate wood degradation after exposure to weathering process in specific climatic conditions of South Africa and compare the performance of treated and untreated wood.
Stylish interiors, light colours accompanied by natural materials and a feeling of harmony - designs by Mano Kalos respect the natural materials and create rooms which help you to calm down.
History and potential of laminated solid wood!
Children and sustainable life are our future: Timber Kindergartens teach children how to live with nature in harmony
The idea to organise a competition was in the minds of HWZ international team for a long time. After the success of the Hout Bay House research project, which won the attention of many architects and the public. After meeting many motivated architects and students, during events that we have hosted at Hout Bay House and those that attended the annual Wood Conference, we decided to offer young architects a platform in which they have chance to design with sustainable materials.
In an effort to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable building, the Wood Student Foundation, the Hout Bay House research project, and HWZ International SA joined forces to launch their timber competition for aspiring and current architects in August of 2018. Now as the close of June nears, jury members, Pavel Horák, Ivan Jonker, Mano Kalos, and Richard Stretton, face the difficult task of choosing only one design out of the 10 notable final projects.
“People working in spaces with high proportions of wooden surfaces have a heightened sense of wellbeing and productivity. They’re also more likely to find their workplaces relaxing, inviting and energising,“ Canberra University professor Jacki Schirmer explained benefits of opened „woodland“ work space in her research How wood can help create healthier workplace.
Certifications play a very important role, especially in the sectors, where the quality of the material can affect human’s health or life. Built sector and load bearing construction materials belong in this group and a certification can help the investor (to be sure what he is buying), and architect or builder to specify technical characteristics of the material. HWZ International is proud to be the first company who has certified spruce rough sawn timber and laminated beams and the first who certified Cross Laminated Construction system (Novatop CLT) in South Africa.
The second Hout Bay House Workshop, this year on topic Timber & Design, took place on February 25th in the Hout Bay House, show house and research project located in Cape Town.
The Wood Student Foundation in cooperation with HWZ International SA and the Hout Bay House Team has come up with a unique project for architects and would-be architects.
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