Throughout 2024, African businesses and collaboratives continued to drive innovation across the continent. Here, we share three inspiring stories of progress from BOXA, Growing Timber Connections, and Easy Housing. These organisations are part of the Biobased Construction Africa learning community, facilitated by CSFEP. For information about joining that community, contact Bongiwe Shongwe at bongiwe.s@csfep.org.
BOXA pioneers scalable flat-pack rapid-build solutions using mass engineered timber in East Africa
In September 2024, BOXA completed its first project in East Africa using an innovative and patented mass timber building system. The Friedkind Fund chose BOXA to build staff accommodations and operational facilities for its conservation and community development programme near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The first phase is already in operation and subsequent phases are set for installation between April and May 2025.
BOXA’s new building system features engineered timber components and scalable designs that substantially reduce embodied carbon, environmental impact, and life-cycle costs relative to conventional construction methods. The flat-packed, rapid-build system includes prefabricated composite cross-laminated timber (CLT ) and Nutec wall panels, structurally insulated panel (SIP) roofing, CLT floor panels, and a structural glulam timber (GLT) subframe. The subframe is fixed to the ground using a micropile footing system that lifts the building off the ground while ensuring stability.
The system is designed for rapid assembly and disassembly, requiring no water or cement and generating no waste on site. In addition to its eco-friendly and efficient design, the building system does not compromise strength, durability, liveability, or aesthetics of the living space.
BOXA, along with Mass Timber Technologies, forms part of the Sustainabuild Group, Africa’s leading construction tech platform. Sustainabuild’s goal is to develop, produce, and introduce a new generation of sustainable building materials and scalable systems for African markets.
The annual Timber Construction Conference, Colloquium, and Design Competition: fostering collaboration across South Africa’s biobased construction ecosystem
Growing the biobased construction ecosystem in South Africa requires strong collaboration amongst a range of stakeholders including government, industry, and academia. To support these coordinated efforts, local partners have launched an annual collection of events to drive further collaboration in the region. In September 2023, the partners launched the inaugural Growing Timber Connections Timber Construction Conference, Colloquium, and Design Competition. The second instalment followed in September 2024.
The design competition invites students from architectural schools to create timber structure designs. In 2024, students developed a concept for the vertical expansion of the Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute at the University of Pretoria. Five universities participated and the winners presented their visions at an event hosted at the Future Africa Campus, at which senior executives from government, industry, and academia were assembled. The evening aimed to inspire creativity, innovation and sustainability.
The colloquium focuses on research and education related to timber construction. Topics have ranged across architecture, structural engineering, forestry, wood science, chemical engineering, engineering management, construction economics and industrial design. Presentations have been largely provided by postgraduate students, leaving the audience inspired about the future of the industry. This year, the colloquium featured presentations from the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Padova, York Timbers, Merensky Timber, and the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic).
The conference underscores the importance of a value-chain approach to advancing timber construction in South Africa. Past conferences have covered a range of topics including tree genetics, marketing management, timber construction, product development, architecture, training, certification, policies, wood manufacturing, forestry management, and property development. The annual event also fosters networking and connections that can lead to collaborative opportunities.
The future of timber construction in South Africa is promising. By increasing active collaboration and knowledge sharing, the industry is poised to continue accelerating its growth. The Growing Timber Connections initiative will remain an essential enabler of this progress going forward. Stay tuned for details about the 2025 Timber Construction Conference, Colloquium, and Design Competition scheduled for 8 & 9 September 2025 at the Future Africa campus, University of Pretoria.
Easy Housing Expands to Kenya
After months of preparation, social enterprise Easy Housing is expanding to Kenya, bringing its model of affordable, sustainable, and high-quality biobased homes to this new region.
After gaining traction in Uganda, where Easy Housing is anchored, the company is now ready to expand into neighbouring Kenya. This expansion adds to the growing portfolio of countries, which includes Mozambique, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania, where Easy Housing has operations.
Initially, Easy Housing will focus on Nairobi and its surrounding neighbourhoods. The company will offer a range of housing options including two, three, and four-bedroom homes designed to meet the needs of various families and lifestyles. Prices start from KES 1.6M ($12 300 USD) for the core and shell of a 25-square-metre studio home. If you own land and dream of building your own home, Easy Housing invites you to learn more at https://www.easyhousing.org/kenya.
Looking ahead to 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, the momentum in the biobased construction sector across Africa is clear. This year’s successes will set the stage for further innovation, strengthened collaboration, and new opportunities for sustainable growth across the continent in the coming years. To keep track of new developments, we encourage you to follow @BOXA, @Growing Timber Connections and @Easy Housing; subscribe to CSFEP’s newsletter; and/or reach out to Bongiwe Shongwe at bongiwe@csfep.org to join the Biobased Construction Africa learning community.
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