TIMBER, TECHNOLOGY & TRADITION - WHERE THE THREE T'S MEET 

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Navigating South Africa’s unique path in timber construction. 

At the 2025 Wood Conference, our technical director, Abrie Visagie, delivered a keynote presentation titled "Where the Three T’s Meet – Timber, Technology and Tradition". His talk explored how locally sourced timber, advanced tools, and traditional craftsmanship come together to shape sustainable and innovative construction in South Africa.

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“Conferences like this are always inspiring—filled with groundbreaking ideas, CLT innovation, and large-scale Scandinavian projects that showcase what’s possible with cutting-edge timber technology,” says Abrie. “But in South Africa, our context is different.”

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While we draw inspiration from global design trends, the reality on the ground requires a more adaptive approach. From the availability of sustainable timber to the logistical demands of remote sites, South Africa’s timber construction challenges are unique. Our response is a tailored approach that honours tradition, leverages technology, and makes the most of our available resources.

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KEY CHALLENGES OF TIMBER CONSTRUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Timber builders in South Africa must navigate a range of practical and economic hurdles:

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- Scale of economy – Most projects are bespoke, with high initial costs and limited opportunity for mass production
- Machinery and equipment – Specialized tools are essential but often require significant capital investment  
- Design flexibility – Ongoing design changes can make pre-manufacturing difficult  
- Remote project locations – Some sites are more than 1,600 km away, with border logistics and long-distance hauling  
- Site access – Restricted access makes it hard to deliver large timber elements or use cranes and heavy machinery  
- Skilled labour shortages – There’s a growing need for trained tradespeople & project managers in the timber industry  
- Timber supply – Sourcing high-quality, custom-milled timber remains a challenge

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TIMBER & TECHNOLOGY: FINDING BALANCE IN MODERN CONSTRUCTION

In South Africa, our timber comes from both natural invasive species and commercial plantations. Pine, poplar, and sugar gum are the most sustainable local options, but they require careful planning to use effectively.

Technology plays an essential role in our design process, particularly in restoration and precision-based construction. For example, we rebuilt Cape Town’s historic Mostert’s Mill using a 3D scan to recreate lost parts with exacting accuracy. Today, we integrate CNC machining, laser-cut steel connections, and other modern tools to elevate the potential of timber construction without compromising tradition.

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CASE STUDIES: TIMBER, TECHNOLOGY & TRADITION IN ACTION

During his presentation, Abrie shared a range of project examples that reflect how JNA Group integrates timber, technology and tradition in real-world scenarios. These included the prefabricated timber structure for the Lapalala project, transported over 1,700 km to a remote site; the Rooiduin project in the Kalahari Desert, where timber structures were designed to echo the social weaver nests of the region; and the Tankwa Karoo pergola, a striking blend of sugar gum and steel. He also spoke about precision-driven builds like CNC-machined poplar beam structures with laser-cut connection plates, the seamless integration of automated Velux skylights, and heritage projects such as Soetmelksvlei at Babylonstoren and the wedding venue at Vrede en Lust. Lastly, he touched on sustainable projects like Klipspringer in the Kruger National Park, which used rammed earth, planted roofs and locally sourced timber. These case studies, and more, can be explored in greater detail on our website.

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In summary:

Timber construction in South Africa is a unique intersection of tradition, innovation, and adaptability. While global trends guide us, our work is grounded in the local landscape—its limitations and possibilities. Through custom design, modern tools, and a deep respect for heritage, we continue to build structures that are as beautiful as they are functional. At JNA Group, we believe that timber, technology and tradition are not separate forces—they’re most powerful when they meet.

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