Timber Design & Technology Middle East - December 2017 by Andy MacGregor

Terra Lodge in Cape Verde by Ramos Castellano Architects prides itself on sustainability Hastings Pier gets a 21st-century update by dRMM Egypt remains a top destination and key market for American hardwoods Wood is the number one green building material Looking good, feeling strong - timber has a new cast of performers Stefano Boeri Architetti proposes Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first vertical forest tower

*Bostanli Sunset Lounge in thermally-modified ash by Studio Evren BaĹ&#x;bug in Izmir, Turkey

Architects and designers all over the Middle East have embraced American hardwoods for the range of colours, grains and textures they offer, as well as for their consistency in grade, quality and supply and their sustainable credentials.

For more information visit www.americanhardwood.org

Terra Lodge Hotel, Cape Verde Image © Sergio Pirrone

December 2017 Issue 36 PUBLISHER Andy MacGregor publisher@citrusmediagroup.net +971 55 849 1574

MARKETING DIRECTOR Eric Hammond marketing@citrusmediagroup.net +971 4 455 8400 INTERNATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR James Hamilton james@timberdesignandtechnology.com EDITOR Tony Smith editor@timberdesignandtechnology.com INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES Rabia Alga AntExpo Org. | Turkey rabia@antexpo.net +90 216 541 0390 ELIAS AGGELOPOULOS Med Expo Greece info@epipleon.gr +30 210 2931011 Timber Design & Technology is published 6 times a year

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EDITOR’S NOTE Welcome to the final issue of the year. We start things off by looking at the Terra Lodge Hotel, which prides itself on sustainability. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, on the island of Sao Vicente, Ramos Castellano Arquitectos have built a beautiful sun-soaked retreat. The backstory to this sustainable project is that a French trekking guide decided to build his own hotel for the incoming tourist that wanted to go trekking in the nearest mountain island of Santo Antao. The Terra Lodge Hotel is the outcome of his vision. The architects have tried to simplify the design as much as possible as the remote island has a clear lack of material and resources. With sustainability as a key objective, the architects also designed the furnishings and light systems with locally handcrafted and recycled wood whilst roofs feature photovoltaic panels and water is re-used on site for irrigation. This issue will be distributed at the Cairo WoodShow and we take a look at the Egypt market for American hardwoods. Total exports of U.S. hardwood lumber to the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region including Pakistan reached a value of USD 57.17 million (volume equivalent to 70,441 cubic meters) for the first three quarters of 2017. The statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), reveal that U.S. hardwood lumber shipments to Egypt for the same time period reached a value of USD 4.523 million (volume equivalent to 5,961 cubic meters), emphasizing the importance of this major furniture producing market. As part of our focus on the Cairo WoodShow, we also profile some of the key American hardwood exporters who are active in the region, particularly in Egypt. Winner of the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize, the Hastings Pier project is a regeneration project spearheaded by dRMM. The 2010 destruction of Hastings Pier by fire was an opportunity to redefine what a pier could be in the 21st century. As such, dRMM’s conceptual basis for the re-design of the pier was not to create the predictable unnecessary hero building at the end, but instead providing open space to allow universal access. Creative use of timber is at the heart of the transformed Pier design. A new visitor center is a 100% cross-laminated timber structure, clad in the limited timber decking that survived the 2010 fire. This reclaimed timber was also used to make the furniture on the deck, designed by dRMM and Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling Ltd as part of a local employment initiative. With the holiday season approaching, I would like to wish all of you Happy Holidays and the best for 2018. As always, I would like to encourage you to log on to the website - www.timberdesignandtechnology.com - for the latest updates and please get in touch if you have any suggestions for subjects we should consider covering.

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CONTENTS

06 News

36 TALL TIMBER

The latest industry news from within the region and around the world

Stefano Boeri Architetti proposes France’s first vertical forest tower

12 SUSTAINABILITY

40 TECHNOLOGY

Terra Lodge in Cape Verde by Ramos Castellano Architects prides itself on sustainability

Great success for the inauguration of Biesse Group’s new campus in Dubai

16 ANALYSIS

44 TECHNOLOGY

Egypt remains a top destination and key market for American hardwoods

Ciam: the perfect blend of technology and handcrafted production

48 SHOWTIME

28 PROFILE

A preview of the top industry exhibitions coming up this season

Wood’N Slabs: Live-Edge Slabs From The Finest American Hardwoods

DESIGN AND DÉCOR

COMMENT

20 Performance Theater

24 Hastings Pier

30 American softwoods

34 American hardwoods

Sound for A New Generation

Hastings Pier gets a 21st-century update by dRMM

Wood is the number one green building material

Looking good, feeling strong - timber has a new cast of performers

Image © HOLZ-HER

NEXTEC - THE REVOLUTION FOR YOUR WORKSHOP

The new NEXTEC from HOLZ-HER revolutionizes the way joineries work and makes them fit for the challenges of the future. Innovative software from HOLZ-HER forms the basis of the NEXTEC technology. This involves simply selecting the required cabinet type on the machine monitor. If necessary, the user can vary the dimensions for the piece of furniture and select the required panel material along with the quantity to be produced. NEXTEC is the complete solution for efficient production, individual and contemporary presentation and effective selling of furniture.

The NEXTEC makes furniture production more efficient and simpler. NEXTEC machining centers have an extremely stable, gantry-type machine design. Precision components for the drive and control technology guarantee maximum dynamics and perfect work. The NEXTEC is also available with automation components for even high production performance. Overall, this machine is the unique, complete solution for state-of-the-art furniture presentation, efficient production and profitable sales.

THIRD EDITION OF DUBAI DESIGN WEEK CLOSES WITH A RECORD-NUMBER OF 60,000 VISITORS

visitors into the creative process. Providing an exceptional educational opportunity, 3,200 students from schools and universities across the UAE took part in the educational tours at Dubai Design Week 2017.

Image © D3

Benedict Floyd, CEO and Co-Founder of Art Dubai Group that owns and manages Dubai Design Week, says: “In only three editions, Dubai Design Week has grown to equal in stature to its sister event Art Week and plays a similar role in establishing Dubai as the region’s capital for culture and creativity. Through our events such as Art Dubai, the world’s most globally diverse art fair and Global Grad Show, the world’s largest gathering of universities, we are able to leverage Dubai’s position to create unique events that have become meeting points for the world’s creative community”.

Dubai Design Week 2017 staged over 200 events celebrating design in a wide range of disciplines and brought 60,000 visitors to the Dubai Design District (d3), an impressive 50 percent increase from last year, further establishing Dubai’s position as a regional hub for design and creativity. Throughout Dubai, designers showcased ground-breaking design, hosted talks, workshops and welcomed

d3’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, says: “We’re very pleased with the incredible response to Dubai Design Week, hosted by d3 again this year, which witnessed a significant increase in visitors from last year. The collaborations between organizations and independent designers, including more than 50 d3 creative partners and retailers, present an extraordinary caliber of creativity and innovation in various sectors of design. This has not only boosted Dubai’s role as an arbiter of cutting-edge design, but also helped emerging regional designers, thinkers and design students bring forth their ideas to a much larger audience.” William Knight, Head of Design at the Art Dubai Group said: “It has been an outstanding Dubai Design Week, which has made a positive impact on everyone that visited events and the city. The event demonstrated the creativity and commitment of Dubai’s creative community and its supporters.”

20TH EDITION OF DOMOTEX ASIA/CHINAFLOOR IS COMING BACK STRONGER THAN EVER The Shanghai New International Expo Center will be the meeting point amongst flooring professionals once more during the 20th anniversary edition of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR in March 2018. With four months to go before the show, exhibitors from across the flooring industry are quickly securing their space at the upcoming edition, with over 80 percent of the show being already booked. The show’s international presence is increasing year on year with worldrenowned brands joining the largest flooring show in Asia Pacific. International brands, to date, occupy more than 21 percent of the total confirmed exhibiting space. Some of the world’s leading brands that will be part of this DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR include: Armstrong, Gerflor, KCC, KDF, LG Hausys, Nox, US FLOORS, HanWha, Tarkett, Toli, Meijer, Elegant and Kingdom showing resilient flooring, Alsapan, Classen, French Timber Association, Haro, Swiss Krono Group, Parador, Kaindl, Egger, Faus, Giant, Weitzer Parkett, Edelholz, Balterio, Alloc, Unilin, Homelegend, Lamett, Power Dekor, Arte Mundi, A&W and Valinge displaying wood flooring, Balta, Boyteks, Nishaburi, Oriental Weavers, Farrahi, Shanhua, Haima, SanLi, Beaulieu, Mannington, Best Wool Carpets and Suminoe exhibiting carpets, and Homag, Osmo, Dynea, Klumpp, Winters-teiger, Hawk, Banfert and Azumi showing floor technology.

Image © Domotex

The exhibition ground in 2018 comprises of 12 halls, of which 5 are dedicated to carpet and rugs, 4 to wood, laminate, cork, bamboo, other hard floors and FloorTech, and 3 halls dedicated to resilient

floorings for commercial, industrial and residential purposes along with more than 15,000sqm of outdoor exhibiting space. Special areas will be created for all exhibitors participating in the InnovAction program, the flooring platform that enables them to launch their newest products, designed by an international new and aspiring architect - Kostas Chatzigiannis of KCA Ltd. The Luxury Brands carpet show is coming back for the second time with some returning handmade rugs brands as well as brand new designers for one more exclusive upscale experience in the world of handmade carpets. cadex conferences and events, Materia exhibition, a showcase by the leading global network in the field of innovative materials, and many more of the well-loved and trusted programs and showcases such as the Floor Heating or the Hospital Space Design Forum, of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR will also be present in 2018 along with many more exciting new launches, like the Wood & PVC Wallboard showcase or the winter sports themed events in the Sports Flooring Forum. DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2017 gathered 1,364 exhibitors from 40 countries and attracted 54,529 trade visitors, of which 12,812 were international visitors coming from 100 nations. The 2018 edition that marks 20 years of DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR in the region is expected to become a unique point of reference for all flooring professionals from around the world as it continues its successful route offering the flooring world a unique platform to access and do business in the biggest flooring market in the world.

Image © MTC

WELCOMING THE AGE OF WOOD

A magnificent building material like timber should not be reduced to secondary functions and Malaysian architects as well as structural engineers need to relook the use of timber in architecture. As the world moves towards changing building code regulations to accommodate timber high-rises, Malaysia should consider revisiting its building tradition with this old-school material. This was the message conveyed by the distinguished panel of speakers at the Malaysian Timber Council’s (MTC) International Conference on Wood Architecture at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last month. MTC’s panel of speakers for the conference included Andrew Waugh, Norihide Imagawa, Kevin Hill and Boris Iskra, who are world renowned architects and engineers. Malaysian architects Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim and Azman Md Nor, who were the first and second prize winners, respectively, of MTC’s inaugural Malaysian Wood Awards 2017, spoke on their winning designs as well as on their other timber-based structures. Following the success of its first international conference on Wood Architecture in 2015, MTC organized the second edition not only to promote the use of timber and timber products but to highlight the need to change the mindsets of those in the construction industry, especially that of architects, engineers, developers and builders. Deputy Minister of the Plantation Industries and Commodities YB Datuk Datu Nasrun Datu Mansur officiated at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Minister YB Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong. Also present was MTC Chief Executive Officer Datuk Dr Abdul Rahim Nik. About 400 participants, comprising architects, engineers, developers, academicians and architecture students attended the conference. In his speech read by Nasrun, Mah said the players in the construction industry will find themselves in a transition period and will have to employ a different attitude which would be a more nurturing one when they build with timber as the government institutes various initiatives such as the Industrialized Building System (IBS).

“Under the IBS, components such as timber frames will be prefabricated or manufactured offsite to improve productivity and reduce onsite construction waste. The use of IBS components with a minimum score of 70% in government projects has been made mandatory. IBS is also expected to improve productivity by 2.5 times,” said Mah. He added that in the recent Budget 2018, the prime minister had announced various initiatives to strengthen SMEs as well as enhancing automation and Bumiputera entrepreneurship. Despite being a rich timber producing nation, Malaysia has very little timber high-rise buildings. Mah hoped that there will be more timber-based projects in the future and the full cooperation of the developers, architects and engineers is required for this. “There are clear-cut advantages to using timber as it speeds up the construction process which result in cost-saving measures. In Europe, four-storey buildings can be built every three days. Technological advancements have also led to the creation of engineered timber products which have a protective charring layer that enable it to maintain its structural integrity unlike steel which buckles under intense heat. As one of nature’s greatest storehouses of atmospheric carbon, timber is also in the spotlight due to its ability to withstand high seismic activities,” said Abdul Rahim, adding that there is no reason to deny timber of its rightful place in the construction industry. The speakers highlighted the advantages of using timber which is now the star building material of the 21st century and how Malaysian architects can mirror the accomplishments of their European counterparts who have been successful in constructing high-rise buildings. “Sensational timber structures have been developed in European as well as other countries such as Japan, Australia and China, and this is something which we can emulate. Malaysia should embrace the advancements that timber architecture is offering and relook into the revision of relevant building regulations for a more innovative building sector,” added Abdul Rahim.

Terra Lodge in Cape Verde by Ramos Castellano Architects prides itself on sustainability Hotel incorporates recycled and found materials, water recycling systems, and a rooftop solar array

Image Â© Sergio Pirrone

Image © Sergio Pirrone

In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, on the island of Sao Vicente - a dry windy island where it only rains in August Ramos Castellano Arquitectos have built a beautiful sun-soaked retreat that prides itself on sustainability. A French trekking guide decided to build his own hotel for the incoming tourist that wanted to go trekking in the nearest mountain island of Santo Antao. The Terra Lodge Hotel is the outcome of his vision. The guide bought an old colonial house on the outskirts of the town center and asked the architects to develop a new hotel using the historic property as a starting point. The hotel, which had to integrate with the old house, is aimed at tourists who come to the island for 2-3 days before taking the ferry for the island of Santo Antao. By using the same implantation philosophy of the surrounding buildings, Ramos Castellano Architects adapted the complex’s separate units to the existing terrain. In separating the buildings and melting them into the built environment, the architects have been able

to create a hotel that helps prepare its clients for their next destination. Designed in response to the sun’s path throughout the day, each block is oriented to face a different view of the island - from the city to the bay. The breakfast-bar building has been positioned to shield the site from the strong winds that blow in from the Sahara desert. In addition, all rooms at the Terra Lodge hotel promote cross ventilation and passive climatization strategies. Built predominately from limeplastered concrete, the Terra Lodge Hotel’s five structures are rotated to optimize views and cross breezes. The hotel includes 12 rooms and a suite, a breakfast room, a lap pool, and a large outdoor terrace on the roof of an old green colonial house that now houses the owner’s tourist agency. Ramos Castellano Arquitectos designed the hotel using recycled and found materials, water recycling systems, and a rooftop solar array. The hotel draws the eye with its gridded timber frame, constructed

from unfinished African wood, that partially encloses private verandas. The architects also used found materials in construction, such as the recycled metals from petroleum barrels for the gate and the locally sourced rocks for the walls. The architects tried to simplify the design as much as possible as the remote island has a clear lack of material and resources. Most of the elements that make up the scheme of the hotel from the floor finishes to the furniture are handmade and have been crafted by local people. Wood has been used for the buildings’ gridded verandahs, while lime putty has been used to clad the hotel’s brilliant white structures. With sustainability as a key objective, the architects also designed the furnishings and light systems with locally handcrafted and recycled wood whilst roofs feature photovoltaic panels and water is re-used on site for irrigation. All in all, reuse is essential to the innovative design of Terra Lodge, which shows how local materials and handmade furnishings can add up to a singular experience.

Project Name

Terra Lodge Hotel

Client

Terra Lodge

Completion date 2017

Location

Mindelo, São Vicente, Cabo Verde

Architect

Ramos Castellano Arquitectos

Collaborators Camille Cellier, Marvin Delgado

Structural engineer Ilidio Alexandre

Builder Duka

Photography Sergio Pirrone

Image ©Albert Vecerka / Esto

Image © Sergio Pirrone

Image © AHEC

Image © Studio bruno guelaff

Image © SWANG

Image © AHEC

Egypt remains a top destination and key market for American hardwoods

Tactile, warm, unique, natural and sustainable are just some of the adjectives ascribed to American hardwoods by architects and designers in the Middle East. It is for these reasons, and many more, that a growing number of designers in the region are choosing to work with them. Whether it is for a one-off furniture piece or a large-scale interior fit out, hardwoods from the United States are increasingly being specified, as they become better known and more widely appreciated. As a result, the United States is the number one supplier of temperate hardwoods to the Middle East. As such, American hardwoods

are being used in a wide range of new projects, including luxury hotels, iconic restaurants, bars and nightclubs, designer retail outlets, private villas and public buildings, such as schools, universities, airports and government offices. It comes as no surprise then that total exports of U.S. hardwood lumber to the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region including Pakistan reached a value of USD 57.17 million (volume equivalent to 70,441 cubic meters) for the first three quarters of 2017. The statistics, which have been compiled from the latest data released from the United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA), reveal that U.S. hardwood lumber shipments to Egypt for the same time period reached a value of USD 4.523 million (volume equivalent to 5,961 cubic meters), emphasizing the importance of this major furniture producing market. Exports to Egypt, which saw significant growth during the past two years, fell by 20 percent in volume and value for the same time period. The majority of this decrease was accounted for by lower shipments of red oak, while exports of white oak to the market actually picked up marginally. A closer look at the statistics

reveals that over 50 percent of the volume of lumber shipped to Egypt was red oak with ash, white oak, walnut and maple accounting for the remainder. With an aim to raise the profile of American hardwoods in Egypt, AHEC has announced its participation at the third edition of the Cairo WoodShow, which will take place at the Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Center from December 8 - 11, 2017. Given that Egypt is a major consumer of solid wood, primarily for furniture production, AHEC’s participation is aimed at educating visitors about the wide availability and variety of American hardwood species as well as their proven

Image © AHEC

Image © Studio bruno guelaff

Image © AHEC

environmental credentials. Dana Spessert, Chief Inspector, National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) will be on hand to provide visitors with an introduction to grading American hardwood lumber and a practical demonstration of the NHLA Rules for grading American hardwood lumber at the AHEC stand. The aim is to help industry professionals obtain a better understanding of the physical properties, grades and the potential for applications offered by the different species of American hardwoods. This reflects AHEC’s renewed commitment to cater to and expand further in Egypt,

which has demonstrated a growing appetite for U.S. hardwoods, driven by the growth in both domestic and overseas demand for Egyptian wood products. “Timber is certainly experiencing a renaissance as a preferred material and architects and designers in the Middle East have embraced its purity and natural appeal across a wealth of recent projects, both within the region and internationally. As architects and designers seek out natural material alternatives across a variety of applications, we expect to see American hardwoods becoming increasingly widely specified in

the region. AHEC’s participation at the Cairo WoodShow will help strategically reinforce the position of U.S. hardwoods as a favored material, mainly for interior joinery, flooring and furniture, and more importantly as key projects near their completion dates,” said Roderick Wiles, AHEC Director for Africa, Middle East, South Asia and Oceania. The Egyptian wood industry is poised to grow domestically, as the Government of Egypt engages in large-scale infrastructure projects, including the construction of one million affordable housing units in 13 locations with an estimated

value of USD 40 billion, and the Mena Holding Group’s Ayaat City project at a cost of USD 24 billion. Market reports indicate that wood imports reached USD 1.365 billion in 2016 whilst wood-based furniture domestic production was valued at USD 750 million. Whilst these developments present ample opportunities for American hardwood species, Wiles believes that market development activities need to take place to capitalize on these opportunities. Ahead of the Cairo WoodShow, we profile some of the key American hardwood exporters who are active in the region, particularly in Egypt.

Image © Baillie Lumber

Baillie Lumber Baillie Lumber is one of North America's largest hardwood lumber manufacturers. As a leading exporter of all the major North American hardwood lumber species, the company offers a variety of special sorts including wide stock, narrow stock and shorts and in the leading species including red oak, white oak, walnut and ash, amongst others. Today, Baillie is a leading provider of hardwood logs, hardwood lumber and proprietary grade hardwood lumber products. Baillie’s sawmills and manufacturing facilities are spread north to south in the eastern United States. In addition, partner mills and suppliers in the U.S. and internationally supplement Baillie’s own hardwood manufacturing capabilities thereby giving the company a breadth of specie availability unmatched by other hardwood manufacturers. With sales staff strategically located throughout the world, Baillie is well positioned to be a single source for all your hardwood needs.

Image © Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods

NINA Company LLC NINA Company, LLC was founded by Mark Lipschitz in 2004 with a simple philosophy: to serve each and every client with the exact production they would like for their business, and indeed, for their customers. The company is able to search for and locate the best hardwoods to meet its customers’ needs - from the best Black Walnut from Iowa through Indiana, to the finest Cherry from the interior forests of Pennsylvania or the White Oak from the timber stands in Tennessee. The company is also able to custom saw to meet client requirements. They currently cut white oak, white ash and black walnut to custom thickness.

The company has always believed that the resource is the key to the future and utilizes a combination of both company timberlands and an additional 1 billion bdft of long-term wood supply agreements with small private landowners as well as with large timberland owners. Marketing products worldwide, AWP has developed a reputation for excellence with both service and product quality.

Image © AHEC

Image © AWP

Image © Nina

Allegheny Wood Products Allegheny Wood Products is a family owned business with ten state of the art sawmills, six dry kiln facilities, a hardwood pellet mill (Appalachian Wood Pellets), and a dimension plant (Allegheny Dimension). Seven sawmills are located in West Virginia, one in Ohio, and one in Pennsylvania. With an annual kiln-dried production of approximately 84 million board feet (198,215 cubic meters), AWP can supply customers across the globe with a wide range of species and thicknesses including red oak, poplar, white oak, soft maple, cherry, hard maple, hickory, ash, and basswood.

Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods Founded in 1993, Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods has grown from a small green sawmill to a full-service forest products company, offering top-quality, kiln dried Appalachian hardwoods. From humble beginnings as small band mill, the family-owned and operated company has grown to a fully-optimized sawmill, dry kilns, concentration yard, planer mill and comprehensive timber procurement program. For more than 20 years, the company has built its reputation on customer service and quality. Its success is the result of a commitment to maintain the philosophies on which Thompson Appalachian Hardwoods was founded - faith and hard work. The company has a mission to manufacture the highest-quality Appalachian hardwood products, create superior value and provide consistency in products and service for its customers.

Sound for A New Generation

Image ÂŠ Jack Bussell

American tulipwood uplifts and updates the performance hall at this Northern Beaches Colleges Senior Campus in Freshwater

On seeing the horizontally positioned boards of solid American tulipwood, staggered in width, flowing around the stage in the Performance Theater at Freshwater Senior Campus, you might correctly assume that this was not the creation of a standard acoustic paneling company. The design was conceived and created by young furniture designer Ben Percy from 3 cubic meters of American tulipwood. Percy deliberately sought out a timber, which would provide variation in color and tone to create interest in the backdrop to the 300-seat theater. The flashes of purple and black in some sections of the wall and mottled grey that runs through others has led to stunning results and, according to Percy, is one of the most talked about elements of the design. The tulipwood has been finished with a transparent oil to ensure

Image © Jack Bussell

the natural color remains the key feature. The proven sustainability of American tulipwood was also a key factor in the choice of material. Commenting on his decision to work with tulipwood, Percy said: “I think it matters that we embrace the importance of creating designs that endure beyond a single generation especially in an environment such as this, where young Australians are forming values and ideas for their future.” Unfamiliar with the technical requirements of acoustic paneling, Percy’s first step was to do what he describes as a ‘ton of research’. This led to the wavy surface texture inherent in the design to minimize flat surfaces and break sound waves to reduce reverberation when the stage is in use. Percy admits that the project forced him out of his comfort zone.

“I wanted to create something that referenced my background as a furniture designer. I drew on techniques from furniture design rather than paneling, such as laminating and bending the timber,” added Percy. “I was happy with how easy the timber was to machine and work with. I had considered other timbers such as American hard maple. It would have looked beautiful, but I think would have been too hard for this design.” The American tulipwood panels were installed with help from local contractor Altone Constructions whilst the lumber was provided by Britton Timbers and Northland Forest Products. The stage has provided an immediate improvement in the acoustics in the theatre, which is regularly used for concerts and screenings at the school and is also made available to external companies for conferences and speaking events.

Project Name

Performance Theater

Client

Freshwater Senior Campus

Location

Freshwater, New South Wales, Australia

Architect Ben Percy

Contractor

Altone Constructions

Photography Jack Bussell

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Image © Trevor Mein Image © Alex de Rijke

Hastings Pier gets a 21st-century update by dRMM Project wins the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize

The 2010 destruction of Hastings Pier by fire was an opportunity to redefine what a pier could be in the 21st century; moving away from the accumulation of commercial booths of poor quality construction. The fire cleared the way for a new approach to creating a generous amenity space for Hastings & St. Leonards residents, and visitors from the UK and overseas. After consultation with locals and stakeholders, the conclusion was that the Pier would have to support many different scenarios. The Heritage Lottery Fund enabled the repairs to the damage below deck - a combined result of destruction from fire, sea erosion and storm damage. A small portion of the grant was used to convert

Image © Alex de Rijke

the single remaining derelict Victorian Pavilion on the pier into a revitalized, open plan, fully glazed and extended version of the past. dRMM’s conceptual basis for the re-design of the pier was not to create the predictable unnecessary hero building at the end, but instead providing open space to allow universal access. The focus was on creating a well-serviced, strong platform that could support a variety of events and uses from circuses to music events, fishing to markets. Different users can bring their own architecture to plug in. Small local trading stalls in the form of classic beach huts have already arrived, setting the example for an endless range of

future possibilities. Creative use of timber is at the heart of the transformed Pier design. The new visitor center is a 100% cross-laminated timber structure, clad in the limited timber decking that survived the 2010 fire. This reclaimed timber was also used to make the furniture on the deck, designed by dRMM and Hastings & Bexhill Wood Recycling Ltd as part of a local employment initiative. The visitor center has been designed as an adaptable space for indoor events, exhibitions and educational activities, with an elevated belvedere on top. A glass walled, open-air ‘room’ looks out to the vast views over the Pier and beyond toward Europe, then back to the town and coast.

Technically and financially, the largest element of the project was the repaired steel structure and new timber deck. The decking comprises 11,720m2 of Ekki hardwood sourced from certified sustainably managed African forestry. The constrained budget did not allow for formal BREEAM rating, but these guidelines were adapted. The visitor center is naturally lit and ventilated, and is a cross-laminated timber construction. The structure is the internal finish, avoiding the need for plasterboard or paints, and the flooring is organic linoleum whilst the exterior is clad in reclaimed timber decking that survived the 2010 fire. The pier is an extension of the Promenade from which it projects - a public, open

Image © Alex de Rijke

space. The experience of being surrounded by sea and ‘walking on water’ is heightened by the optical game set up by the louvered balustrade design and the quality of the timber deck. This is the first phase for the regeneration of Hastings Pier. Future phases include plans for a large, mobile, timber canopy that traverses the entire length of the 280m pier. In its current format, the new Pier is a catalyst for urban regeneration. It offers flexibility, material and functional sustainability, and an uninterrupted vista of the natural and built surroundings of the special seaside town of Hastings. Long term sustainability is essential to this popular symbol of local identity. The

ongoing physical repair, rebuild, and transformation of the destroyed Hastings Pier is an exemplar of construction sustainability. This largescale construction project is also the site of social sustainability; galvanising community, volunteering, investment, employment, entertainment and tourism. Hastings Pier Charity managed the rebuild process and so far the first phase is complete. The pier transformation also demonstrates how architecture can represent civic pride and politics, and has already inspired the regeneration of further derelict buildings and new businesses in Hastings. The future of the Pier depends on popularity, programming, revenue and further funding.

dRMM have drawn up future scenarios to encourage interest and kickstart further development of the pier. Phase two includes ramp and stairs to sea level, connecting the deck with large boat landing stage, and a mobile roof canopy for sheltering large scale events such as concerts, films and markets. The landing stage would be a rebuild of the original, and the new canopy is conceived as an engineered timber parabolic structure. The canopy is designed to traverse the 280m length of the Pier, straddling the visitor center and transforming its roofscape steps into a covered auditorium. This future phase offers further flexibility and allows the pier to be used throughout the winter season.

Project Name Hastings Pier

Client

Hastings Pier Charity

Location

Hastings & St. Leonards

Structural Engineer: Ramboll

Photography Alex de Rijke

Image © Wood'N Slabs

28 PROFILE

Image © Wood'N Slabs

Wood’n Slabs: Live-Edge Slabs From The Finest American Hardwoods

How do you improve on Mother Nature? How can you take a 100-year old magnificent tree and improve it? According to Mark Lipschitz from Wood’N Slabs, you cannot. However, you can enhance it. You can take the tree and mill the most beautiful slabs to be used in ways that only your imagination can inspire. It is the ultimate in recycling! Typically, the largest/oldest logs found in America’s abundant Eastern forests are not able to be sawn commercially. So often they get chopped into fire-wood. Tired of seeing these magnificent old relics abused in this way, Wood’N Slabs was founded by Nina Company, who have been supplying American hardwoods into the Gulf for 15 years, to look into alternative uses for this incredible resource. “At Wood’N Slabs, we believe that there is absolutely no greater, more impressive item to own and incorporate into our lives than a quality piece of nature in the form of wood. We have travelled the country to source the greatest lumber from majestic trees, most of which are more than 100 years old. The items in our collection can be used for almost any purpose, from tables to countertops,

mantles, or almost anything you can dream of,” says Lipschitz. Currently, the company mills these logs into slabs. Taking the slabs and leaving them to age gently for over a year, under cover with lots of air, the company is able to offer customers a wide variety of options. Generally speaking, the logs collected are 30-60” wide, 4 to 16’ long and well

requirements and preferred dimensions; as well as butterfly splines (also known as arikata), which are an attractive and functional way to stabilize cracks in the slabs on offer. For customers that prefer to fill defects, cracks, or splits in their wood slab, the company offers a number of different products, depending on the type of wood and the desired application,

At Wood’N Slabs, we believe that there is absolutely no greater, more impressive item to own and incorporate into our lives than a quality piece of nature in the form of wood over 100 years old. According to Lipschitz, hardwoods are like any agricultural product, they have a finite life, then rot and die or die and rot. More importantly, they should be harvested responsibly and used in love! Wood’N Slabs sources its logs from the magnificent, majestic eastern hardwood forests, which are amongst the most sustainable and well-managed temperate forests in the entire world. Services provided by the company include sanding and planning; slab trimming in accordance with customer

Image © Wood'N Slabs

PROFILE

that can fill in wood defects and create a smooth, level surface. Wood’N Slabs also offers creative wood fillings, including applying a crushed glass and epoxy mixture that results in a smooth, deeply-dimensioned surface, a collection of coins or other small objects mixed with epoxy. Last but not least, the company is able to oil slabs upon request. The oiling process includes a minimum of two coats of its proprietary oil mixture that brings out the natural beauty of each wood slab. In addition, its varnish/polyurethane process

involves a number of potential options that can permanently seal the slab. On offer is a varnish seal/urethane coating in both gloss and matte finishes. “Today’s world is really so toxic! Consider how many manufactured items surround us in our homes. It is astounding really. When one looks at all the furniture produced world-wide, it is safe to say that almost all has a large percentage of glued up sections. Whether Plywood, Chipboard or OSB as the substrate, how much glue is involved? Too much! Striving to bring down weight and cost, means increased volatiles. It is time to go back to solid wood as much as possible. This is a healthier way for us all to live. In fact, this is the trend world-wide, specifically in the growth of the ‘rustic’ and solid type of furniture and flooring,” concludes Lipschitz. The company’s website (www. woodnslabs.com) offers customers a full breath of information on products. Testament to the global appeal for its slabs, Wood’N Slabs has recently shipped a container to a customer in the UAE. The Middle East is a market that offers great potential for Wood’N Slabs and as such the company will be participating at the Dubai WoodShow 2018.

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Wood is the number one green building material Wood surpasses competitors in durability, renewability and the fight against climate change

Contractors and homeowners alike have a time-tested way to help the environment - use wood. Building with wood has the smallest impact on the environment before, during and after construction, according to recent findings by the Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) study and the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. Homes constructed with wood products reduce energy use, use fewer natural resources and decrease environmental impacts

Homes constructed with wood products reduce energy use, use fewer natural resources and decrease environmental impacts overall overall. As the only self-renewable building material, wood does not need outside chemicals to regenerate and uses very little fossil fuels and natural resources to assemble it into a suitable building product. Sustainable forest management

practices ensure that the supply of wood is not only being replaced but increased each time it is used. North America remains the largest single source for sustainably managed and legally harvested wood products. An essential part of green

building is evaluating the environmental impacts of building materials and assemblies. A consistent and objective way to measure this is through life-cycle assessment (LCA). LCA evaluates materials over the course of their entire lives, from extraction through manufacturing, transportation, installation, use, maintenance and disposal or recycling. This process accounts for a full range of impacts over the course of a productâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life span. Impact categories include, among

Image ÂŠ AMSO

COMMENT

other things, energy use, global warming potential, air pollution and solid waste output. And when considering the life-cycle of wood construction, wood-framed buildings have a 100-year track record for safety and dependability. For many sites, a raised wood floor foundation is the best building option - for durability and to have a smaller impact on the environment. A raised wood floor foundation lasts a lifetime. Because of woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s durability,

North America remains the largest single source for sustainably managed and legally harvested wood products renewability and extensive life-cycle, homeowners will not have to worry about the use of more fossil fuels for non-wood alternatives - concrete and steel - to be produced as a result. Wood outperforms other products when considered over its complete life cycle. A

Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) study compared the environmental impacts of wood-framed and steel-framed homes in one American city and wood-framed and concreteframed homes in another city to evaluate energy use and their life-cycle assessments.

According to the report, the homes framed in steel and concrete would require 17 and 16 percent more energy respectively - from extraction through maintenance - than their wood-framed counterparts. The reason is that woodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cellular structure contains air pockets that limit its ability to conduct heat, which makes it a better insulator than other materials. This helps to minimize the energy needed for heating and cooling. Building

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friendly, building but in all general construction. To have the smallest impact on the environment, homeowners and contractors should consider environmentally friendly tactics.

Wood surpasses its competitors in multiple facets not only in green, or environmentally

This article has been written by Richard Wallace, Vice President, Communications, Southern Forest Products Association (SFPA). For more information and to download the latest publications and industry facts, please visit www.SouthernPine.com.

Wood surpasses its competitors in multiple facets not only in green, or environmentally friendly, building but in all general construction

Image © AMSO

Growing trees absorb carbon dioxide and release clean oxygen. The absorbed carbon dioxide is stored in the trees or wood products made from trees until

Image © AMSO

they burn or biodegrade. At a certain point, depending on the tree species and growing conditions, carbon dioxide absorption tapers off. If a forest is allowed to decay, the stored carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere. However, if the forest is harvested sustainably and manufactured into building

Image © AMSO

products, carbon dioxide is stored into the materials and the forest generates younger trees that absorb even more carbon dioxide achieving a net reduction in global emissions.

with wood also aids in the fight against climate change. Wood construction fights climate change in two ways: using less fossil fuels in the building process; and limiting the number of decaying trees which produce carbon dioxide, the primary ingredient for global warming.

Image © Jonas Lencer

Image © Alex de Rijke

Image © Jon Cardwell

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COMMENT

Looking good, feeling strong - timber has a new cast of performers For decades our choice of wood species for timber construction has often been determined by price rather than performance. But times are changing and so are the products and construction techniques available to engineers who want to build in timber. Glulam has been around for a long time. I was surprised to learn that the first applications in Germany go back nearly a hundred years! But now we have Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The latter, undoubtedly a game changer, has helped propel large-scale timber construction from the drawing board to the construction site, where it is now increasingly being considered as a first-choice option over concrete and steel. Until recently almost all the raw material focus has been on softwood as it provides a cheap source of fiber that offers good strength performance relative to its weight and cost and will continue to do so. However, the possibility of using certain hardwood species to enhance the appearance and performance of timber structures is an exciting new development being welcomed by architects and engineers. Over the last decade, hardwood industries, especially in Europe, have looked to construction as a growth opportunity after years of declining consumption in traditional interior markets such as furniture and flooring. Of course, there is much more research and development and product testing needed. But new products are already out there being used: oak glulam, beech LVL, birch and tulipwood CLT. Our journey to promote the use of American hardwoods

for structural applications began back in 2001 with Arup’s pioneering use of American white oak beams for the courtyard roof of Portcullis House in Westminster designed by Hopkins architects. Subsequent testing at BRE produced detailed strength values for four hardwood species: white oak, red oak, ash and tulipwood. A series of iconic experimental installations followed; in 2008 David Adjaye’s Sclera (tulipwood), 2011 Amanda Levete’s Timber Wave (red oak) and 2013 dRMM’s Endless Stair (tulipwood); all landmark projects for the London Design Festival. "As a result of the Endless Stair we learnt that tulipwood is nearly three times stiffer than spruce in

complexity of the engineering challenge. To us mere mortals, 60 people standing at the end of a 34m double-curved wooden cantilever is either a crowd, or an obstruction to the perfect photo! To the timber experts at Arup it was another exciting and seemingly insurmountable challenge for what they later described as “the most ambitious CLT structure ever built”. It was, in that sense, their Everest, a chance to better themselves and reach a new high point in what can be achieved with timber. They appeared to derive a perverse pleasure from those many days and sleepless nights huddled over computer models, drawings and unreadable calculations.

For decades our choice of wood species for timber construction has often been determined by price rather than performance rolling shear and one can achieve the same strength performance as softwood with thinner panels. Then there is the advantage of more attractive colors and grain patterns, so no need to hide internal faces." But it was only last year we began to realize tulipwood’s full potential as a pioneering species for hardwood CLT, when Zublin Timber produced the first industrial sized panels. The Smile pavilion for the 2016 London Design Festival pushed the boundaries of what is possible in CLT. It was the result of an extraordinary collaboration with award-winning architect Alison Brooks and engineering masters Arup. We all knew at the time how important this experimental structure was: with its simple form that belied the incredible

The Smile may have been a temporary installation, now recycled, but its legacy is not temporary. It will remain an important marker for what is possible. In a recent article in the Financial Times, Edwin Heathcote’s piece about the rise of timber construction had a picture of The Smile beaming from the page and cited the importance of CLT as “lighter, faster and greener to build with than steel and concrete”. But, it is the first ever use of tulipwood CLT in a permanent structure, dRMM’s Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre in Oldham that is a really defining moment and opens the door to a whole world of new possibilities as it confirms that hardwood CLT is now a viable option for architects and engineers. The opening of

Maggie’s in early June comes just weeks after another defining project for structural hardwood; American white oak features in the redevelopment of the Warner Stand at one of the world’s most iconic sporting facilities, Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London. Designed by Populous architects and engineered by Arup, the roof of the stand is formed from 11 cantilevered glue laminated (glulam) oak beams, the largest in Europe, that radiate dramatically from the corner of the Ground. They were produced in Germany by Hess Timber and according to Arup “the use of AWO glulam at this scale for the Warner Stand, is amongst the first of its kind in Europe and required extensive testing of its material properties and glueline integrity to satisfy European codes and standards.” At a recent meeting in London of the European structural committee responsible for updating Eurocode 5 for timber, there was clear acknowledgement that more use of hardwoods will be an important element of future development of timber construction and that new codes and standards need to reflect this. A sentiment echoed at last year’s International Holzbau Forum where a number of projects were presented where both European and American hardwoods had been used innovatively and structurally. As one delegate commented from a packed auditorium “hardwoods have arrived and they are here to stay”. *This article has been written by David Venables, European Director, American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). For more information and to download the latest publications and industry facts, please visit www. americanhardwood.org.

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TALL TIMBER

Stefano Boeri Architetti proposes France’s first vertical forest tower

Forêt Blanche to add a hectare of forest to the Parisian skyline

A new high tower is being constructed in Paris, France, and it will be unlike any other building in the city. Built entirely out of wood, and adorned with a large number of plants, Italian firm Stefano Boeri Architetti is behind the design, which has since been named Forêt Blanche (“White Forest”). Set to be erected in the Parisian suburb of Villierssur-Marne, Forêt Blanche will be 54-meters tall and will be covered by nearly 2,000 trees, shrubs and plants. The facades of Forêt Blanche, designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, will be covered by 2000 trees, shrubs and plants, with a green surface equivalent to a hectare of forest, ten times the surface area of the lot on which the building sits. In addition, the master plan of public green spaces has been designed by the American studio James Corner Field Operations, which curated, amongst others, the New York High Line project of Diller+Scofidio, and by Atelier

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Forêt Blanche will be 54-meters tall and will be covered by nearly 2,000 trees, shrubs and plants Paul Arène. Forêt Blanche will host residential apartments on the high floors, offices and commercial services in the lower part, with a mix of terraces and balconies on the four sides of the tower. The east and west facing side will allow the passage of sunlight all day, giving natural illumination and ventilation to the apartments and an exceptional panorama on the landscape of central Paris. The project is one of the 12 architectural structures presented by Compagnie de Phalsbourg on the Marne Europe - Villiers sur Marne site, called Balcon sur Paris. Balcon sur Paris is inserted within the wider framework of “Inventons la Métropole du Grand Paris”, one of the

biggest competitions for urban development promoted in the Parisian metropolitan area, that has seen the involvement of 51 sites in total and great names in international architecture. The other architectural structures of the Balcon sur Paris project include the works of Kengo Kuma & Associates (Sora, Le Palais des Congrès); Oxo Architectes (Le Potager De Villiers, Business Home); KOZ Architectes (2 buildings, Archipel); Michael Green Architecture (Peuplier Blanc, Prairie Blanche); and X-Tu (La Ressourcerie, Green Jenga). The entire project is still very much in the early stages, so a timeline for its construction and completion has not yet been decided upon. In addition to Forêt Blanche, Stefano Boeri Architetti has

also presented the La Cour Verte project for Balcon sur Paris, a building with courtyard, whose roof touches the ground and, at the center, a hanging garden with a 600-square meter mantle planted with grasses, that is inserted into the innovative and sustainable context of the project, favoring the development of biodiversity. Stefano Boeri is no stranger to proposing vertical forest buildings. Towers based on his designs are already getting built in Switzerland and Milan, while a whole city of such towers is being planned in southern China. With Forêt Blanche, the firm aims to promote a new generation of architectural structures that encompass the vegetal component as an essential element, going beyond the concept of green as just a simple decoration. Architectural structures that take up the challenge of fighting climate change and increasing biodiversity in urban contexts.

Image © SCM

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TECHNOLOGY

Great success for the inauguration of Biesse Group’s new campus in Dubai Over 250 visitors attended the grand opening event of Biesse Group’s Dubai Campus, the regional Headquarters for the Middle East region. The three-day event introduced to the visitors the unique 1,100 sqm facility that comprises of innovative Made-in-Biesse machinery and technology, new modern offices, a training center and a dedicated service and parts areas. “After almost 18 months of hard work, sacrifices and conspicuous investments, we can celebrate the first and only technological showroom and training center Campus in the Middle East in our industry. Our market in the Middle East has been evolving at a very fast pace and with this new campus, we will be able to provide a whole new experience to the customers in this area as further confirmation of our total dedication towards them. Knowing that there is such a technological showroom with demos available at any time is certainly a great competitive edge,” said Federico Broccoli, Subsidiary Division Director Biesse Group. Throughout the event, a number of bespoke demonstrations of Biesse Group’s machines took place. The showroom features the full range of Biesse solutions: from sizing technology (Selco SK 4); to edgebanding (Jade 300, Stream A equipped with the innovative AirForce System and Spark); to CNC machines (Rover A Edge, Rover J FT and Rover Gold); to drilling solutions (Brema Eko 2.1) and sanding ones (Opera 5). Furthermore, Biesse experts

gave a live demonstration of bSuite, the complete suite of advanced software tools dedicated to the woodworking industry, at the new training area, which will later be used for this and other activities aimed to strengthen the knowledge of Biesse’s staff and customers. In the near future, the new Biesse IoT platform Sophia, the tool that enables customers to achieve maximum efficiency linking all machines to Biesse service center, will be deployed in the area too. The showroom also includes Intermac’s Primus 322, the waterjet cutting machine able to process any type of material and create countless complex profiles. On the second day, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place to officially inaugurate the facility in the presence of partners, customers and local authorities, including the Italian Consul and representatives from both UAE Ministry of Economy and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority. The ceremony concluded with a special message from Roberto Selci, President of Biesse Group. “We are positively impressed by the attention and support that the local personalities and associations have reserved us. Being located within the new and prestigious Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority is a true honor. This free zone was specifically built to house some of the region's most innovative companies, with a view of creating a proper technology park. Last but not least, a special thanks to all the people that believed in this vision, starting from Giancarlo Selci, Roberto Selci and Stefano

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Testament to the success of the inauguration, over EUR 1.5 million`in signed orders was achieved and negotiations for the same amount are due to be closed in the coming weeks. To further demonstrate Biesse Group’s gratitude to all its customers and partners, a gala dinner was held at The Palace Downtown, an exclusive venue placed at the feet of the iconic Burj Khalifa, with the breathtaking show of the Dubai Fountain as background.

Speaking at the dinner, Renato Manganelli, Managing Director of Biesse Group Middle East, thanked everyone who was present at the event, applauded the different teams that helped bring life to the new subsidiary and said: “Today we really set a milestone in our region. In the last year, we have increased our order intake by 50 percent, in addition, our total number of employees has tripled and we are now located in the most prestigious and innovative technological area of the region, representing the only company in our industry to have a subsidiary with a showroom of its kind.”

Knowing that there is such a technological showroom with demos available at any time is certainly a great competitive edge

Porcellini. Without their faith in this project we would not be here today,” added Broccoli.

M: woodnslabs@gmail.com

www.woodnslabs.com

T: 1 (443) 994-0975

44 TECHNOLOGY

Ciam: the perfect blend of technology and handcrafted production

TECHNOLOGY 45

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Located in the Umbria green plain at the heart of Italy in Petrignano, Ciam is a leading producer of furniture for bars, pastry shops, ice cream shops and restaurants, and is reputed for its reliability, punctuality and the great quality of its products. Looking up on one side is the white Assisi towering at the feet of the Subasio, whilst on the other side there is Perugia’s Acropolis. As such, the company is perfectly situated a few kilometers from the “center of the world”, in a land that inspired the great painters and architects of Italian art. Federico Malizia, the young heir of a family tradition that began in 1977 and President of Ciam (Costruzioni Italiane Arredamenti Moderni) since 2006, is aware of this privilege. “One works better in a place like this,” he explains from behind the desk of his office, furnished in pure Ciam

Italy is a manufacturing country and through his travels across the world, Malizia has realized that the company can count on people with extraordinary manual skills style. The 23,000 square meter headquarters of the company was inaugurated in 2010 and represents a mix of efficiency and technology that together with the ability and experience of the technical staff, enables Ciam to satisfy the complex requirements of its customers. This year the company celebrated 40 years with a series of sizable investments into personnel, technology and communication. For starters, an important cell has been bought from SCM, which includes an automatic Mahros Flexstore EL magazine and a Gabbiani Galaxy 2 panel saw. The company also

successfully participated at both Euroshop in Dusseldorf as well as Sigep in Rimini, and is preparing a large event for its customers to coincide with Host in Milan in October. If that wasn’t enough, the company has set up the Ciamuseum, which as well as being a showroom to present its production, features spaces to welcome its customers and work in an exquisite space. “We’ve come a long way,” explains Malizia. “The company that my father Giuseppe set up began with three employees and it built countertops for shops. In the eighties, we moved to the production of modular furniture

for bars and display cabinets for pastry shops. At the end of the eighties, we moved to larger premises and changed our target. We no longer dealt directly with the end clients of the HoReCa sector, but we started working with shop fitters and designers for whom we produce every type of furnishing. Our catalogue mirrors this growth. At the beginning we had 100 products, now we have reached 14,000. We work directly with clients such as Eataly, Illy, McDonalds, Starbucks and with designers creating bars and restaurants worldwide.” According to Malizia, the global crises of recent years hasn’t affected the company significantly. Given that the world has changed since 2008, the company has had to reinvent itself. Earlier, the company only exported 10 percent of its production, but in 2016, its export quota reached 50 percent.

TECHNOLOGY

Rather than competing only on price, the decision was made to focus on mid to high end customers, with custom and made to measure creations, which in hindsight turned out to be the right decision. Commenting on the right mix of technology and craftsmanship, Malizia says: “Of course, as well as on the products, we invested a lot on the materials, pushing customization to the maximum. We present innovative materials such as every kind of steel and metal, resins, burnished brass, porcelain stoneware as well as every kind of wood. In other words, we pursue every new and captivating shape, which is the added value of our product. We have developed a genuine culture of beauty, of knowing how to make things and we always maintain great flexibility.” On the one hand, there is the

The plan is to continue producing all products in-house, with a strong organization that can perfectly combine state-of-the-art technology with the values of craftsmanship technical office, which is a veritable pitbull, constantly thinking about new solutions, tracking state of the art materials and using the latest software. On the other, the company employs true craftsmen, who are exceptionally proficient in creating the products. Italy is a manufacturing country and through his travels across the world, Malizia has realized that the company can count on people with extraordinary manual skills that the rest of the world is envious of. “We have been working with SCM since the middle of the

nineties. Currently we have an SCM five axis work center and a series of classic SCM machines that help us in the various machining operations. This year we decided to invest heavily in the woodworking workshop to bring it up to the same level as the metal department, therefore we have made the same conceptual choices: a Mahros Flextore EL 14 station storage, which lets us place different materials in each station. The magazine supplies a Gabbiani Galaxy 2 panel saw (that replaces a SCM Sigma 90 panel saw), which can machine with speed and precision and on “batch one” productions,” adds

Malizia. “This cell has been active for a few months and since then the overall production has been simplified. Now we can do something in two hours that before would have taken us a day and a half. The electronics linked to the panel saw are also an important step forward: we can label the product with the client’s name, a solution that, for example, we need to be able to bring over to the metal department, where we still have to manually label the individual pieces,” concludes Malizia. Looking ahead, Malizia wants to focus on foreign markets that demand high quality ‘Made in Italy’ products. The plan is to continue producing all products in-house, with a strong organization that can perfectly combine state-of-theart technology with the values of craftsmanship.

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Cairo WoodShow

materials and technologies for the furniture industry, which bodes well for the market leading Istanbul Furniture Fair.

DOMOTEX Hannover The third edition of the Cairo WoodShow is scheduled to be held from December 8 - 11, 2017 at the Cairo International Convention and Exhibition Center. With over 5,000 visitors expected to attend the event, the organizers are confident of a successful exhibition in line with their overall aim to develop the regional market of Egypt and Africa by the influx of extensive demand opportunities and to improve the quality of local products in a cost-efficient manner. As the biggest wood trade show in Egypt and the North Africa region, the show is focused on showcasing the latest wood and woodworking machinery from the leading industry players coming from all parts of the world. The major focus area for the next Cairo WoodShow is to create awareness about innovation and technology in the Egyptian furniture industry and educate professionals on the importance of this vital industry.

Istanbul Furniture Fair Held at the beginning of the year, the next edition of the Istanbul Furniture Fair (ISMOB) will showcase the latest home furnishings, interior designers and global furniture trends for 2018 over the course of its six-day run at the Tüyap Fair and Convention Center, Büyükçekmece in Istanbul, Turkey. Ranked as the third largest furniture fair in the world, ISMOB will present the Turkish furniture sector to a global audience and connect manufacturers, designers and buyers from January 9 - 14, 2018. Organized in association with MOSDER - the Association of Turkish Furniture Industrialists, the show hosted 500 exhibitors and more than 1,000 brands in 2017 and the organizers are confident of exceeding those numbers next year. Currently, more than 60,000 companies operate in the Turkish furniture industry with Istanbul, Ankara, Kayseri, Inegöl and Izmir emerging as the leading furniture production locations. Manufacturers in Turkey closely follow global furniture technologies, continuously renewing their machine fleets and using state-ofthe-art technologies whilst Turkish furniture designers, who also follow developments worldwide, produce trendy designs, all of which means that the Turkish furniture industry is on its way towards becoming a global leader. As such, there is demand for new

DOMOTEX Hannover is the world's largest exhibition for the carpet and floor coverings industry offering a comprehensive overview of the market and a host of opportunities for companies to widen their contacts and cultivate existing connections. In line with the DOMOTEX claim - 'The World of Flooring’ - every product group and trend will be showcased in detail at the show. Hand-made and machine-made carpets, textile and resilient floor coverings, parquet, wooden and laminates take pride of place, in addition to equipment and products for floor laying, maintenance and applications technology. In addition, a broad range of special events, trade association meetings and conferences offers visitors the chance to learn more about the key issues affecting the industry. DOMOTEX 2018 doesn't open for another two months, but it's already becoming clear that the 30th edition of the world’s leading tradeshow for carpets and floor coverings will be a very strong and innovative affair, sporting an extensive lineup of new features. For one thing, the show has a new hall configuration and venue layout that will make it a lot easier for visitors to survey the market and connect with the exhibitors and trends that matter to them. The show will also have a strong overarching focus on the megatrend of product individualization, as reflected in the keynote theme of ‘UNIQUE YOUNIVERSE'.

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imm Cologne imm Cologne is the first furnishing and interiors trade fair of the year and will present the trends that shape the furniture and interior design sector. According to the organizers, everything from the basics to designer items and luxury interiors will be on display, thereby ensuring visitors find a unique diversity of interior design ideas - for every room, in every style and for every taste. As such, the show is well established as an important platform where suppliers and decision-makers from important global markets in the sector will set the course for doing successful business in the future. In 2018, imm Cologne will once again present inspiring interior design ideas for trendsetters and provide the markets with new momentum. As one of the most important events in the global primary furnishing market, imm Cologne presents the latest international furniture trends and surprises with numerous marketable innovations. The broad range on offer is combined with high standards of quality and an excellent presentation of the products. The fair also provides an effective platform for young designers. Fittingly, the fair is open to end consumers on certain days, which provides exhibitors with the opportunity for product and market tests. Given the extensive programme of events that take place all over the city of Cologne in conjunction with the show, imm Cologne is expected to remain the center of the furnishing and design world for the duration of its week-long run.

DĹ&#x2122;evostavby 2018 (Wooden Buildings) The 13th International Exhibition of Wooden Buildings, Structures and Materials for Low-Energy and Passive Houses (DĹ&#x2122;evostavby 2018) is being held in February next year in Prague. Unique in its range of topics, the show aims to promote wooden houses as a construction system of the future. According to the organizers, wood is and always will be a renewable natural resource and remains in all forms of processing an indispensable part of the materials used in construction. As such, the fair provides comprehensive information on the use of wood and natural materials in construction and processing of fully renewable natural resources. The fair attracts professionals, developers, investors, builders and anyone interested in modern wooden houses. More importantly, the exhibition along with the accompanying program covers most of the important topics in architecture, design, technology, energy savings and finances needed to implement the construction of wooden houses. Trade visitors will be able to obtain a comprehensive overview of the market situation, learn about new trends and innovations, and find information about specific prices and products. In addition, the show also offers the opportunity to meet architects, quality construction companies, and suppliers of wood, woodworking machinery, and related tools.

Magna Expo Mueblera Industrial The International Furniture and Equipment fair for Mexico and Central America (Magna Expo Mueblera Industrial) takes place in Mexico City, Mexico from January 17 - 20, 2018 at Centro Citibanamex. The show will provide leading local, regional and international players with an opportunity to showcase the latest machinery, materials, products and new developments in the furniture industry. After 23 years of evolution, from 2018 onwards Magna Expo Mueblera will provide specific business platforms for each segment, industry and trade, in order to simplify the communication and sales strategy, and to create better business opportunities for everyone in attendance, enabling the participation of more trade buyers and decision makers, attracted by better-defined product groups.

SHOWTIME

Salon du Mobilier 2018 The 9th edition of the Furniture Fair (Salon du Mobilier) is being organized from February 4 - 6, 2018 at EXPONANTES in Nantes, France. The three-day event will focus on the different furniture and the latest designs available in the market. With a view to bring together the professionals and experts from the furniture industry, the show will provide a great platform for attendees to interact with each other and learn about the latest trends. The show will feature more than 120 exhibitors who will showcase their products and services in addition to over trade professionals representing nearly 400 brands from the industry. It will also give exhibitors a chance to reach their customers and make their mark. The exhibitor profile will include manufacturers and suppliers of furniture, bedding, living room furniture, layout, decoration, lighting, materials, accessories and services, country furniture, reproduction furniture, stylish furniture, design furniture, lighting, kitchen units, contemporary furniture, bathroom furniture, living room furniture, chairs, rugs, bedding, storage, dressing rooms, layout, decorative objects, materials, technical products and accessories and others. In addition, visitors at the fair will include trade visitors, a selection of specialists from the world of interior decoration and design, directors and buyers from invited firms, furniture wholesalers, fitters, up market design and decoration shops, interior decorators, lighting distributors, bathroom manufacturers and distributors, kitchen fitters, tertiary and commercial design studios and other decision makers.

supplier product innovations as early and as compactly as ZOW does. As the segment's first relevant industrial event held in February annually, the show attracts key national and international decision-makers from the furniture industry and the world of furniture and interior design. Company owners as well as members of top management form part of ZOW's primary visitor groups. Under the umbrella "Great ideas in a compact setting", ZOW will act as an industry meeting place focused on discussions and exchanges of ideas in the years in which interzum does not take place. The ZOW concept and showcase is based on project work and intensive discussions over the three days of the trade fair.

EUROBOIS As the leading event in France for the wood industry, EUROBOIS is the foremost gathering of timber and wood industry professionals. Running for over 30 years, the last edition attracted more than 328 exhibitors and brands and over 20,000 trade visitors over the course of its 4-day run in 2016. As the leading showcase for equipment and techniques of woodworking and wood materials, EUROBOIS offers both trade professionals, companies and associations an important platform to network and share knowledge. The exhibitor profile includes leading suppliers involved with forestry exploitation / wood energy; first and second stage timber conversion machinery and equipment; lumber; and suppliers to the furniture industry, fixtures & fittings. Strategically held in Lyon, EUROBOIS enjoys the full benefits of the dynamic Auvergne RhĂ´ne-Alpes region, one of Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost wood processing areas.

ZOW ZOW is the exclusive and concentrated trading platform for national and international suppliers to the furniture industry and interior design. Precisely when the furniture industry is placing its orders, the exhibitors at Bad Salzuflen will be showing the ZOW trade audience new products, materials as well as process ideas for furniture production - at the heart of Europe's largest furniture cluster, East Westphalia-Lippe. The region is one of the most important supplier hubs for the international furniture industry: it not only produces 40 percent of all supplied parts manufactured in Germany but also earns 30 percent of Germany's total turnover in furniture. ZOW benefits from its immediate proximity to this center and its stakeholders from industry, associations and higher learning institutes, making it possible to tap directly into Germany's lucrative furniture market. No other B2B show format provides a comprehensive overall picture of

54 SHOWTIME CALENDAR

Cairo WoodShow

Maison et Objet Paris

Furniture Asia

January Furniture Show

Acetech

Dřevostavby 2018 (Wooden Buildings)

Istanbul Furniture Fair

Salon du Mobilier 2018

DOMOTEX Hannover

ZOW

imm Cologne

Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair

FORMEX

EUROBOIS

Magna Expo Mueblera Industrial

WOODEX 2018

December 8 - 11 Cairo International Convention & Exhibition Center Cairo, Egypt www.cairowoodshow.com ............................................................................................. December 18 - 20 Karachi Expo Center Karachi, Pakistan www.furnitureasia.com.pk/index.htm ............................................................................................. December 14 - 17 Pragati Maidan Delhi, India www.etacetech.com/index.html .............................................................................................

January 9 - 14, 2018 Tüyap Fair and Convention Center, Büyükçekmece Istanbul, Turkey www.ismob.com.tr/en ............................................................................................. January 12 - 15, 2018 Hannover Exhibition Center Hannover, Germany www.domotex.de/en ............................................................................................. January 15 - 21, 2018 Koelnmesse GmbH Cologne, Germany www.imm-cologne.com/imm/index-2.php ............................................................................................. January 17 - 20, 2018 Stockholm International Fairs and Congress Center Stockholm, Sweden www.formex.se ............................................................................................. January 17 - 20, 2018 Centro Citibanamex Mexico City, Mexico www.hfmexico.mx/MEMIndustrial/en .............................................................................................

January 19 - 23, 2018 Parc des expositions de Paris - Nord Villepinte Paris, France www.maison-objet.com/en/paris ............................................................................................. January 21 - 24, 2018 NEC Birmingham Birmingham, UK www.januaryfurnitureshow.com ............................................................................................. February 1 - 4, 2018 Holešovice Fairground Prague, Czech Republic www.drevostavby.eu .............................................................................................

February 4 - 6, 2018 Nantes Parc des Expositions de La Beaujoire (EXPONANTES) Nantes, France www.salondumobilier.com ............................................................................................. February 6 - 8, 2018 Exhibition Centre Bad Salzuflen Bad Salzuflen, Germany www.english.zow.de/ZOW/index-2.php ............................................................................................. February 6 - 10, 2018 Stockholm International Fairs and Congress Center Stockholm, Sweden www.stockholmfurniturelightfair.se/?sc_lang=en ............................................................................................. February 6 - 9, 2018 Eurexpo Lyon, France www.eurobois.net/en ............................................................................................. February 12 - 15, 2018 Tehran International Permanent Fairground Tehran, Iran http://en.miladgroup.net .............................................................................................