Wood wins at ITC-SA timber construction awards

 [Johannesburg, 30 August 2016]: A prominent highlight on the local timber construction calendar, The Annual Timber Engineered Product Awards, hosted by the Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA) at Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on the 19^th of August, showcased and rewarded top class workmanship in the fields of decking, timber frame construction and roofing.

As part of the ITC-SA’s ongoing mandate to establish and maintain the highest standards in the timber construction industry in South Africa, the Awards are hosted every year in an effort to bring players in the timber construction industry together and to pay homage to members’ outstanding work of the previous year.

“This year’s Awards saw the attendance of a record 135 guests, to whom we extend our thanks for making the event a vibrant and successful one,” says Chris Hobson, incoming ITC-SA Chairman, adding, “The Awards are open to all Timber Frame Builder, Deck Builder, Roof Erector and Fabricator Members of the ITC-SA, and submission categories include: Decks & Boardwalks; Alterations & Additions; Structures Smaller than 120m²; Structures Larger than 120m²; Structures Larger than 220m²; and Roofing: Residential, Commercial & Exposed Trusses, a new addition to the Awards’ categories.”

Lyndsay Cotton, LCP Roofing General Manager and outgoing Chairman of the ITC-SA kicked off the evening with a brief talk on the business case for diversity and inclusion in the sector, which was followed by an insightful product presentation on the MiTek Industries SA brand by Stewart Murray, MiTek Industries SA Manager. This was followed by a presentation by the evening’s guest speaker, Dr. Melanie Blumentritt, who is a post-doctoral fellow at Stellenbosch University at the Department of Forestry and Wood Science, with a background in solid wood and wood composites production and mechanical testing, wood anatomy, ultrastructure and chemical evaluation, and life-cycle assessment of wood products. Dr. Blumentritt’s talk proffered the question, ‘Should we store carbon in wood?’ and covered the ways in which the use of wood in long-lived products, like timber construction products, can help to mitigate climate change – a fitting prelude to the announcement of the ITC-SA Annual Timber Engineered Product Awards winners for 2015.

ITC-SA Annual Timber Engineered Product Awards for 2015 winners

Four entries were received in the Alterations & Additions category, which ranged from economical extensions to full-scale remodelling. The Structures Smaller than 120m² category saw four entries, varying from a ‘granny flat’ to a beautiful starter home, all of which clearly demonstrated a high standard of skills and finishes.

Five entries were received for the Structures Larger than 120m², but below 220m²; these projects ranged from beach homes to those built on particularly sensitive sites, showcasing the versatility and gentle approach to construction made possible with timber frame. The Structures Larger than 220m² category saw three entries, which all illustrated a variety of styles and quality finishes capable of satisfying the most discerning taste.

Eight entries were received for the new Roofing category, which encompasses commercial and residential roofs as well as exposed trusses. All entries demonstrated the inherent versatility timber lends to the design, fabrication and erection of roofs across a broad spectrum of building styles.

 

Decks & Boardwalks
Gold:
Project name: Flywheel & Suspended Bridge
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Planning Partners
Built by: Town & Country Projects
This impressive commercial series of decks and bridges at an upmarket business and conference centre demonstrated the ability of the contractor to elegantly manage the interface of timber and bespoke steel.

Gold:
Project name: Bridge Thompson
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Cottage Concepts
Built by: Cottage Concepts
Bridge Thompson, an unusual miniature wooden bridge structure for a model steam train enthusiast presented a number of challenges to achieve an attractive and true-to-scale end product.

Silver:
Project name: Deck Bonnema
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Anton Bonnema
Built by: Deckscapes
Deck Bonnema called for the creation of a screened alfresco area with a pergola over an existing flat roof, requiring skilled design and carpentry from the team.

Bronze:
Project name: Deck Fensham
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Charles de Jongh
Built by: Deckscapes
This project included the construction of a poolside deck with additional timber screens.

 

Alterations & Additions

Gold:
Project name: House Hirschon
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Kotlowitz Marais Architects
Built by: Timbercraft
Engineer: Mike Humby
This complex project required the modernisation and enlargement of an existing ground and first floor home, creating a second-floor, two-bedroom flatlet, which was seamlessly executed by Timbercraft.

Silver:
Project name: House Cillie & Fouche
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Hardie van Schalkwyk
Built by: Henton Homes
Engineer: Deon Botes of Poise Engineers
House Cillie & Fouche called for the addition of a master en suite, study, scullery and single garage while the owner occupied the home. The project was completed in five months and to a visibly high standard.

Bronze:
Project name: House Jones
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Pursey & Boucher Architectural Services
Built by: Villager Timber Products
Engineer: Jim Weaver Structural Engineers
House Jones, once a single-storey dwelling with height constraints, was converted into an attractive double-storey home, maximising the available footprint.

Structures Smaller than 120m²

Gold:
Project name: House Puttick
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Cecilia Fraser Architects
Built by: Timber Home Kits
Engineer: VPG Structural Engineering
Clinging to the slope of a mountain, 42m² House Puttick is a stunning example of the contractor’s ability and the advantages of timber frame construction.

Silver:
Project name: House Bing
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Cecilia Fraser Architects
Built by: Timber Home Kits
Engineer: VPG Structural Engineering
House Bing, a 119m² timber frame two-bedroom cottage, took only two-and-a-half months to construct in the back yard of an existing home.

Bronze:
Project name: House Hopkins
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Sadie Jones Architects
Built by: Timber Home Kits
Engineer: SKC Masakhizwe Engineers (Pty) Ltd
This neat, eco-friendly 50m² cottage is proudly off the grid, contributing to the structure’s low overall environmental impact.

 

Structures Larger than 120m²

Gold:
Project name: House Riddell
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Jacques Cronje Timber Design
Built by: Henton Homes
Engineer: Deon Botes of Poise Engineers
House Riddell’s remote location required diligent planning to avoid possible down time. The building had to be repositioned, due to its proximity to a Milkwood tree, but even so, the project was completed within six months.

Silver:
Project name: House Oosthuizen
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Alan Paine Designs
Built by: Logo Homes
Engineer: Gadomski Consulting Engineers
Clinging to the mountainside under Boyes Drive in St. James, House Oosthuizen is an attractive vertically clad timber frame home with views over False Bay.

Bronze:
Project name: House van der Walt
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Christal Beukering
Built by: Davwen Construction
Engineer: Peter Wilschut Consulting Structural Engineers
Perched on a dune above the high water line, House van der Walt tested the skills of the Davwen Construction team, resulting in a getaway that is the envy of many.

Bronze:
Project name: House van der Vyver
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: I Berger
Built by: Cottage Concepts
Engineer: Anton van Riet
House van der Vyver, a uniquely challenging project, called for the construction of a double-storey home on severely sloping solid rock in an eco-sensitive reserve.

Structures Larger than 220m²
Gold:
Project name: House du Preez
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Eugene Barnard Architects
Built by: Eco Log Homes
Engineer: Hull Consulting Engineers
House du Preez, a post-and-beam structure, is on a game farm with no on-site accommodation, which made for strict working hours that challenged the Eco Log Homes team to achieve this magnificent bush getaway. The project’s attention to detail and interesting architectural features impressed the judges.

Silver:
Project name: House Bolitho
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Alan Paine Designs
Built by: Logo Homes
Engineer: Gadomski Consulting Engineers
Stringent regulations and height restrictions governing this heritage area of Simonstown and the discovery of a main sewer running through the site challenged the architect and contractor to meet the client brief. The result is an asset to the surroundings and a tribute to the Logo Homes team.

Silver:
Project name: House Richards
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Alan Paine Designs
Built by: Logo Homes
Engineer: Gadomski Consulting Engineers
Strict new council regulations regarding building on the side of a mountain stimulated the ingenuity of both architect and engineer on this project, who provided practical floor plans and pleasing elevations to maximise the structure’s available footprint.

Roofing: Residential, Commercial & Exposed Trusses
Gold:
Project name: House Viking Trust
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Klaus Korber
Roofing structure: Pitch 45 Roofing
Engineer: A19 Roof Inspectorate
This extensive renovation required neat, accurate carpentry to produce, erect and brace this complex exposed roof structure, which pays homage to the beauty of design symmetry.

Gold:
Project name: Reddford House, Northcliff
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Century Property Developments
Roofing structure: LCP Roofing
Engineer: Errol Hobden
A turnkey project where close cooperation with the design team ensured that the client brief was met. This has resulted in state-of-the art exposed structural roofing elements being used as features to enhance the buildings’ ambience.

Gold:
Project name: Vergelegen Shopping Centre
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Barry Slavin of Slavin & Associates
Roof trusses manufactured by: Rooftek Trusses
Roof trusses erected by: Pitch 45 Roofing
Engineers: Schalk Brits & Conrad van Zyl of MiTek Industries SA
The harmony of design, construction detailing and robust appearance of this shopping centre roof will have many a shopper looking upwards. Its rugged beauty and symmetry illustrate the contractor’s ability to evoke the past by recreating the forms and shapes of yesteryear.

Silver:
Project name: Hazeldean Office Park
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Greg Koenderman of MWLF Architects
Roofing structure: Giant Engineering
Engineer: Stephan Vermaak of Sivest
Hazeldean Office Parks showcases the effective use of timber roof trusses on large span commercial projects with complex architectural detailing in exposed areas.

Bronze:
Project name: Reddam International College
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Century Property Developments
Roofing structure: LCP Roofing
Engineer: Errol Hobden
This impressive project was designed, supplied and erected as a turnkey service to the main contractor. Complex curved and circular roof structures were no match for the experienced LCP Roofing team who went above and beyond the call of duty to complete this roofing structure.

Bronze:
Project name: House Alcock
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Walkersmith Architects
Roofing structure: Lloyd-Warren Construction
Engineer: Gavin Brown & Associates
House Alcock’s roof showcases beautiful old-school design and engineering coupled with highly skilled carpentry. Attention to detail and high quality finishes lend an attractive, old-world appearance to the exposed Douglas Fir hammer roof trusses.

Bronze:
Project name: House Majorie
Year completed: 2015
Designed by: Afro Plan Architects
Roofing structure: LCP Roofing
Engineer: Errol Hobden
Interesting truss designs with extensive architectural details were skilfully addressed by LCP Roofing’s design, fabrication and erection teams. The end result more than met the contractor’s brief.

Project submission requirements

All project submissions, which take the shape of a detailed written description supported visually with high quality images demonstrating both the aesthetic and technical qualities of the project from start to completion, should include information regarding the site location, accessibility, environment and soil conditions, the project’s time frame, complexity, unique challenges and adherence to budget.

Furthermore, site documentation including erection details and plans with all elevations as well as a regulation A19 roof completion certificate and a regulation A18 electrical and plumbing certificate (in the case of a timber frame structure) as well as the engineer’s details in the case of beams or rafters being erected, are among the technical details that must be provided.

Timber construction project submissions are to address the structure as a whole, with reference to: foundations, slabs, footings, post beams and bracing; tie downs to the frames and roof structure, bracing or sheathing; noggins (fire stops); placement of service wire and pipes, types of service pipes and conduits; and braced roof structures prior to cover.

Interior details to be included are: mouldings on skirting, hand rails and cornices; exposed beams, rafters and trusses; types of ceilings, flooring and linings; and architrave, window and doorframe details. Roofing, hip, valleys, chimneys, flashing, types of covering and cladding are important details to be included in the exterior description.

The project’s overall compliance with SANS10400: Energy Efficiency in Buildings must be demonstrated with reference to the following:

• Building design, e.g., orientation and ventilation
• Building elements, e.g., foundations, wall insulation, ceiling, roof, double glazing on windows
• Building products, e.g., R-values of products and geographical sourcing
• Electro/mechanical installations, e.g., air-conditioning, water heating, general appliances, solar panels and wind turbines.

Judging

All entries are assessed for technically correct construction according to national building regulations as they apply to timber frame building and roofing. Judges look for aesthetic flair, good design, creativity and the project’s compatibility with – and consideration for – its environment. Structural correctness, workmanship and materials as well as the detail, skill, quality and level of craftsmanship that go into the finishes are essential considerations for the judges, as are value-added external structures and features, such as verandahs, decking, stairways, paths and driveways, to name a few.

The ITC-SA Annual Timber Engineered Product Awards judging panel for the 2015 Awards included: Jacques Cronje, timber home and furniture designer, and ITC-SA Professional Member; Mike Allum, past president of the Timber Frame Builders Association (TFBA), retired timber frame builder and ITC-SA Honorary Member; Graham Retief, Honorary Member of the ITC-SA, independent project consultant and SANS10082 working group contributor; Eljo Balaam, Saint Gobain Specification Consultant; Roly Adams, ITC-SA Board Member and Corporate Executive at MiTek Industries SA; and Errol Hobden, Systems Engineer at International Truss Systems.
Long service awards

Ten- and twenty-year long service awards were presented to truss fabricators who were present at the Awards for their service to the ITC-SA. These are as follows:

10 Years’ Service:
Braytons – Dundee
Giant Engineering
Maxco Truss Systems
Nelspruit Truss
Patria Truss Manufacturers
PJ Roofs
Rooftek Trusses

20 Years’ Service:
BUCO – Pinetown
BUCO – Honeydew
Truss ‘n Timber
Truss Mecca

Members who were not present at the Awards who qualified for long-service awards will be receiving their certificates in due course.

Conclusion

“There were many outstanding individuals who were involved in making the ITC-SA Timber Engineered Product Awards the success it was and we would like to thank all of those who contributed. A special thanks to our esteemed judges who offered of their time and expertise to judge the Award submissions,” remarks Hobson. “Lastly, we thank ITC-SA members who entered the Awards for sharing the fruits of their labour with us, for playing their own part in upholding our industry’s standards and for raising the Awards’ goal posts each year. The ITC-SA timber construction Awards for 2015 are a glowing testament to what our industry can produce and of which we can all be justly proud.”

A special thanks to the Award sponsors: MiTek Industries SA (Platinum); Sawmilling South Africa (Bronze); South African Wood Preservers Association (SAWPA) (Bronze); BUCO (Bronze); Specialised Exhibitions; LCP Roofing; International Truss Systems (ITS); Multinail; Timber iQ; and SA Roofing; as well as to Amanda Obbes and Jenni de Waal for their hard work in contributing to another successful Awards event.  

Dr. Blumentritt’s presentation has been made available here. Please access the ITC-SA Timber Engineered Product Awards presentation here.