Durban, South Africa

The Hive design relies on a honeycomb structural system built with pre-fabricated mass-timber pods that are arranged in an alternating pattern similar to other ef�cient, high-strength structures commonly found in nature and occurring at a cellular level in timber and other plant forms. This system braces vertical and lateral loads to produce a stronger, taller building.

The proposed 5-story building is situated atop a ground �oor with commercial and community spaces and also includes a 17-story high-rise apartment building that capitalizes on ocean views. The in-tervening spaces formed between the primary living pods are en-closed for use as bedrooms, home of�ces and studio apartments. The U-shaped formation surrounds a communal courtyard garden open to the north and protected from busy streets.

Mass-timber beams and components are locally harvested from sus-tainably managed re-growth forests to reduce carbon dioxide emis-sions. Structural elements made from mass timber panels are prefabri-cated in factories to increase ef�ciency and generate less waste, and plumbing and electrical services are pre-routed. Computer-modelling stress loads, mass timber pods and walls can maximize ef�ciency for the best strength to material-use ratio. Joinery, glazing, insulation and cladding can also be factory-�tted prior to transport.

HIVE

Unit configurations are not strict and intervening spaces can be divided in a va-riety of ways. Potential configurations range from small studio apartments or home offices to larger family residencies with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas.

Incorporating plants and trees into the facade reduces internal building temper-atures by providing shade. Plants also minimize the urban heat island effect, a post-industrial phenomenon whereby heat from buildings and roads artificially raises a city’s overall temperature.

SIMON COUCHMAN MELBOURNE-AUSTRALIA

http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/world-forestry-congress/treehousing/en/ © FAO2016