EVENTS
Zaida Davids , the event organiser , assisting delegates with their registration .
switched-on , technologically advanced , and flexible kind of architecture . There is going to be a lot of development with surfaces , textures , angles and curves , he says .
“ If you imagine a surface that is twisting and moving , you can ’ t look at it and instantly understand what ' s happening – it ' s almost like you have to adjust your eyes and senses to the surfaces to get a sense of it . The forms become an implicit element of time so what we ' re actually doing is that we ' re moving from architecture specifically spatial , and we ' re introducing a time element into it , which is a further conversation for another day ,” Struthers closed .
BIM BOOSTING MODERN TIMBER CONSTRUCTION
Building Information Modelling [ or Management ] ( BIM ) incorporates design , engineering , manufacturing and supply . Phillip Zumbrunnen , director of Urban Limited , took delegates through the BIM technology and benefits .
BIM is a prominent force of delivery of better buildings especially with timber , as timber is seen as the main driver and leader in becoming a greener society , as engineers work with designers and installers with the materials in mind . This model also goes back to the basics , which is how many have learnt their trades . Working together allows instant feedback to correct things that are wrong or are not working and helps younger members of the team to learn , which is essential for development .
“ Without CAD or CNC technology there wouldn ’ t be the inspiration to build advanced projects and we are now able to process faster and are more efficiently , and therefore computer technology is a huge step . It adds onto the traditional skills that many people feel will be lost , however this is not true . Traditional skills and computer skills together are a really powerful tool that create many opportunities ,” Zumbrunnen said .
BIM software is a great tool that can do the job quickly , and collaborative working is really important to avoid duplicate mistakes between different projects . However , industry cannot grow as quickly as needed when companies work independently from each other , especially in system development . This slows down progress by unnecessarily duplicating errors and failures .
‘ Old school ’ is something that gets a lot of reference , but the reality is that we need to consider that the construction industry is a little bit old school . Sometimes , what is required is that we need a push to get away from the old ways of thinking and doing . It ’ s modernise or die , and this is what the timber industry has done .
“ Going back to the basics , pick up the phone , meet and talk to each other and understand all the requirements and ideas because this starts everyone off at the right point . We need to involve the knowledge of our industry , work with each other to create huge success ,” Zumbrunnen ended .
DESIGNING FOR THE VALUE CHAIN
Talking his way through his career and dealing with all aspects of building from brickwork to timber , Andre Eksteen , a South African architect of Earthworld Architects , said that , “ Architects are passionate craftsmen and should be involved in making – they are makers of buildings and makers of things .”
In the architecture space there is the ability to stimulate innovation and downstream social sustainability , by not giving the financial institutions all the benefits of projects when skilled labour who do all the hard work and take all the risk . Training is required to empower all participants in the value chain by including them and giving them the context of their roles in the process , such as from the BIM stage that allows a greater visual understanding .
Tools and value chains need to be thought through and the design process needs to change to create a market for
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10 APRIL / MAY 2018 //