EDITOR'S NOTE
Timber is everywhere
I
have definitely started noticing
the use of timber more in my day
to day life since taking over this
amazing publication last year.
It seems a more socially acceptable
thing to notice than my usual HVAC
curiosity – at least according to my
friends. Even when a colleague
mentioned they were installing a
false ceiling with dye cut patterns,
my first response was, ‘what wood are
you using?’! Before, my standard
reply would probably have been more
along the lines of, ‘what colour?’
I’m happy to note that it seems that
professionals are (seemingly) less
reluctant to use timber in their
designs – but maybe that is only true
for interiors where the aesthetically-
pleasing finish is easy to work with
and offers a warm feel. We are in dire
need of a mind-set change when it
comes to how risky it really is to build
with timber, but hopefully I’ll see
some more local projects coming into
my inbox and not just the fancy
international show-offs.
That said, there are some beautiful
projects going up locally. Check out
how the new Piza ē Vino in Lynnridge
Mall (Pretoria) used timber – inside
and out – on page 20.
Speaking of using timber outdoors,
check out our feature on outdoor
furniture and pergolas on page 32.
We also look at the dos and don’ts of
using solar on a thatch roof (page 41).
Also, I’m very excited to share with
those of you who don’t know yet, that
the American Hardwood Export
Council (AHEC) has announced the
launch of ‘Seed to Seat’, a
collaboration with seven of the most
prominent and exciting designers in
South Africa, who have been given an
open brief and asked to design
‘something to sit on’. Read more on
page 10.
Where have you noticed timber in
your day to day life? Let us know!
Ilana Koegelenberg
Managing editor
[email protected]
// JUNE / JULY 2017
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