About
Growing Timber Connections hopes to inspire South Africans to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of construction.
2024 Timber Design Competition
Growing Timber Connections, in partnership with York Timbers, the dtic and the University of Pretoria, is glad to announce the second annual Timber Design Competition.
The competition is open to all registered students from SACAP-accredited schools of architecture or similar national professional accreditation bodies (RIBA, NIA, AAK)
Whether you’re passionate about sustainable design, timber construction or eager to test your creative boundaries, this is your chance to shine on a national stage.
Why Participate?
Recognition: Stand out among your peers and gain recognition for your work. Your designs will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges from the industry.
Skill Development: The competition challenges you to think critically and creatively, helping you to refine and expand your design skills.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, professionals, and fellow students who share your passion for timber design.
Innovation in Sustainability: Timber design is at the forefront of sustainable architecture. Showcase your ability to create eco-friendly designs that are both beautiful and functional.
Students can enter the competition is as individuals or as a team with a maximum of 3 members in a team. Students in final year or post-graduate studies are encouraged to enter the competition.
More information can be found in the brief on the registration page.
Highlights from the 2023 Timber Design Competition
The 2023 Timber Design Competition challenged participants to imagine sustainable buildings from renewable resources. The site was a Biodiversity Skills Center that accompanied the Lapalala Wilderness School.
Participants had to design a multi-purpose and interactive learning facility that aimed to promote an understanding of the impact of climate change on the environment and local biodiversity. The facility had to be accessible to the community and provided educations through practical training and capacity building programs. The aim of the project was to showcase the importance of biodiversity in our communities.
The competition challenged participants to interpret, invent and deploy contemporary building systems with a focus on emerging timber technologies and real world applications.
There were many outstanding participants and the top 3 projects are listed below.
Project Title
The 2023 Timber Design Competition challenged participants to imagine sustainable buildings from renewable resources. The site was a Biodiversity Skills Center that accompanied the Lapalala Wilderness School.
Participants had to design a multi-purpose and interactive learning facility that aimed to promote an understanding of the impact of climate change on the environment and local biodiversity. The facility had to be accessible to the community and provided educations through practical training and capacity building programs.
Symbiotic Craft
The 2023 Timber Design Competition challenged participants to imagine sustainable buildings from renewable resources. The site was a Biodiversity Skills Center that accompanied the Lapalala Wilderness School.
Participants had to design a multi-purpose and interactive learning facility that aimed to promote an understanding of the impact of climate change on the environment and local biodiversity. The facility had to be accessible to the community and provided educations through practical training and capacity building programs.
Third Place Team
Thabang Chiloane
Njabulo Ngwenya
Andile Gxubane
NMU Staff members Hyacinthe Tonga, Emma Ayesu-Koranteng, Hansie Vosloo and Reetumetsi Malefane, together with the team of winning students.
