Timber iQ August - September 2017 // Issue: 33 | Page 22

PROJECTS Residential units in the tower. Towering above the rest Ikory is a city situated in the heart of Lagos Nigeria in the most popular and opulent residential hub; it is here that a unique wooden structure sands tall overlooking the city. By Ntsako Khosa | All images courtesy of Hermann Kamte & Associates T his new Lagos landmark is designed as a smart and sustainable building. Described as a mixed-use residential development it is built on the roof of Abebe Court, a housing estate. The existing building is located on the highbrow Bourdillon Road surrounded by picturesque vegetation. It sits on four blocks with housing units, each consisting of four to three-bedroom apartments laid out on four floors. This estate’s amenities include swimming pools, a gymnasium, tennis courts and more. The whole structure is oriented to maximise daylight and natural ventilation. The structure is built using resistance of a Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) wood system, a high-strength engineered wood product made from veneers, bonded together under heat and pressure which is used for permanent structural applications. 20 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2017 // It is also developed through natural, recyclable and locally sourced material. The wooden envelope provides shading from direct sunlight. Plants belted around each floor contribute to creating fresh air flow and keep a constant microclimate into the living space while providing visual comfort and aesthetics. The project focuses on the open area where the sky garden is found, which also works as a communal area for people to relax. The apartments are designed around a central core. The existing and wooden structure are separated by sky gardens and amenities and the top roof consists of restaurants with 360° views and lush greenery. As the tower rises above the town, it stretches to cross the limit of the local wooden construction. It gives a new natural footprint to the city, which is surrounded by massive and heavy buildings built in ceramic, concrete and asphalt.