30/10/2026
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA CHAMPIONS THE GREEN REVOLUTION AT GREEN BUILDING CONVENTION 2026
The Green Building Convention 2026, hosted by the Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) at Century City, Cape Town from 27 to 29 October, brought together hundreds of sustainability, property and built environment leaders under the theme“The Green Revolution: From Ambition to Action.” The convention serves as one of Africa’s premier platforms for driving innovation, collaboration and practical solutions for a more sustainable built environment. Representing the University of Pretoria, the York Timbers Chair in Wood Structural Engineering stepped confidently into the conversation around the future of sustainable construction. Through an interdisciplinary collaboration between architecture, engineering and marketing students, the team challenged delegates to reimagine the possibilities of a greener future where mass timber construction plays a central role.
This vision came to life through the theme “Timber is More Than You Can Imagine”, showcased in a striking modular exhibition stand that highlighted the transformative potential of timber as a sustainable building material. The stand not only demonstrated innovative timber applications but also reflected the Chair’s commitment to research, education and industry partnerships that continue to push the boundaries of timber construction in South Africa.
As a practical demonstration of circular design principles, the stand itself was designed with multiple life cycles in mind. Following its initial deployment and testing through a collaboration with RAW Modular, it was repurposed at the convention as a framework for showcasing the work of the Chair and its Growing Timber Connections partners. In keeping with the sustainability message it promoted, the stand has now been donated to the iThuba Innovation Hub and Happy Feet projects in Langa Township, where it will continue serving the community as a walling and display system for photographs, artwork and other initiatives.
Over the course of three days, meaningful conversations were sparked, perceptions challenged and new opportunities for collaboration cultivated. The convention provided an ideal platform to showcase how future architects and engineers are being equipped with the knowledge, skills and research-driven insights required to lead the transition towards more sustainable building practices.
The University's efforts were deservedly recognised when the York Timbers Chair in Wood Structural Engineering received the inaugural Best Exhibition Stand Award, an outstanding achievement that celebrated the team's creativity, innovation and commitment to sustainability. Congratulations to everyone involved in conceptualising, designing and delivering an exhibition that not only captured attention but also demonstrated how sustainable thinking can be translated into practical solutions.
As the team looks ahead to the 20th Green Building Convention, it remains committed to advancing research, strengthening industry partnerships and inspiring the built environment sector to be bold in its pursuit of greener solutions. Through innovation, collaboration and education, the message remains clear: imagine more, with timber.
Read more: https://www.gbcsa.org.za/events/
