Growing Timber Connections is an alliance between the York Timbers Chair in Wood Structural Engineering at the University of Pretoria and various partners from academia, industry and government.

Let timber lead. Let it transform. Let it form the future.

Imagine a choice so simple, yet so powerful, it can change everything. A single decision that sparks innovation, breathes life into communities, fights climate change, and builds a future that gives back more than it takes. That choice is timber.

Timber is more than just wood; it’s nature’s gift, a living legacy rooted in the strength of ancient forests and carrying the promise of a better tomorrow. When you build with timber, you don’t just construct walls; you craft homes filled with warmth, create spaces that heal the soul, and nurture places where life truly thrives. It’s the sunlight filtering through wooden beams, the quiet calm that fills rooms shaped by nature’s own design, and the gentle breath of a material that lives and breathes alongside you. Timber reconnects us to the earth, reminding us that building is not just an act of construction, it’s an act of love, care, and deep responsibility.

Because a single, intentional decision, like choosing sustainable timber over resource-intensive materials, can set off a chain reaction of positive change across our environment, our economy, and the world. This isn’t just a campaign, it’s a call to action, a movement, a chance to build with purpose, to build with care, to build a legacy that lasts. Let timber lead. Let it transform. Let it form the future.

To find out more, send an email to schalk.grobbelaar@up.ac.za