Cape Town, South Africa

24th February

9.00–17.00

Hybrid Joining Option

The 15th WOOD Conference

Celebrating timber, innovation, and expertise —
connecting South Africa and the world

Inspiring Built Environment Professionals Through Timber Innovation

Find out more Registration

Cape Town, South Africa

24th February

9.00–17.00

Hybrid Joining Option

Event Information

We are delighted to invite you to the 15th Annual Wood Conference, an unparalleled gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries dedicated to advancing timber construction and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Celebrating timber, innovation and expertise — connecting South Africa and the world.

Cape Town, South Africa
24th February 2026
9.00 - 17.00
Join Hybrid Option

About the Wood Conference

The Wood Conference is aimed at a specialist audience from the fields of architecture, engineering, timber construction, carpentry, planning, interior design, schools and their students, as well as investors and the public sector. The organizers want to convey ideas and inspiration in sustainable, green and energy-efficient construction with wood, both in the high-end and low-price segment. Participants will not only be shown timber construction solutions, but will also be provided with architectural, urban planning, technological and scientific background information.

The involvement of South African speakers will institutionalize this networking event.

Find out more

Programme

07:00

On Site and Online Registration

09:00

Hannu Garny

Master of Ceremonies, South Africa "Opening"

09:10

Roger Kuratle

Kuratle Group, Switzerland "Opening"

09:20

Andreas Rufer

Consulate General of Switzerland „Welcome Address"

09:30

Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews

Executive Deputy Mayor of Cape Town „Urban Regeneration through Timber Architecture: Re-imagining Public Spaces in Cape Town"

09:50

Reinhard Kropf

Helen & Hard, Norway "More Value from Fewer Resources"

10:05

Jürg Frefel

Kuratle Group, Switzerland "How timber constructions meets technology"

10:30

Tea Breakaway / Networking

10:50

Maretha Perold

Wolf & Wolf Architects, South Africa "Timber, Hemp & the future of sustainable cities"

11:15

Gunnar Adolf Aanesland

Helen & Hard, Finland „From Wood to Wonders”

11:40

Richard Stretton

Koop Designs, South Africa "Developing Affordable Timber Construction Methods for Public Buildings whilst Maximising Benefit to Small Local Business"

12:05

Jari Janowski

Timbatec, Switzerland "From Fundamentals to Future: The Vision and Innovation of Timber Construction*

12:05

Jari Janowski

Timbatec, Switzerland "From Fundamentals to Future: The Vision and Innovation of Timber Construction*

12:30

Lunch Breakaway/Networking

13:30

Sean Mahoney

Studio Mas, South Africa "Oranjezicht City Farm Market: Timber Construction"

13:55

Simon Topliss

WAM Studio, Australia "Blueprint for Change: Unlocking Mass Timber for Clients and Communities"

14:20

David Gaynor

FSC, South Africa FSC "Beyond Carbon: Where Wood Comes From and Why Sustainability Matters"

14:45

Martin Povala

A2 Timber, Czech Republic "Czech Pavilion EXPO 2025, Japan – People’s Choice Award Winner"

15:10

Fabian Scheurer

Design-to-Production, Switzerland

15:35

Hannes Tähtinen

Sweco, Finland "Structural Solutions: Versatile Implementation Methods in Timber Construction*

16:00

Sebastian Bildau

Atelier Bildau, "Germany Tall wooden buildings for urban redevelopment"

16:30

Roger Kuratle

Kuratle Group, Switzerland "Vote of Thanks and Poll"

16:50

Hannu Garny

Master of Ceremonies, South Africa "Closing"

17:30

After Party Celebrations

Presenting Partners

Main Sponsors

Sponsors and Co Sponsors

News

Outlook: 15th Wood Conference

Outlook: 15th Wood Conference

On 24 February 2026, we will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Wood Conference in Cape Town. What began in 2010 as a…

14th Annual Wood Conference in Cape Town:

14th Annual Wood Conference in Cape Town:

The Kuratle Group's 14th annual Wood Conference, held on 25 February 2025 at the CTICC in Cape Town, convened a diverse…

Review of the 14th Wood Conference

Review of the 14th Wood Conference

After fifteen years of successful resonance, the success story of the Wood Conference was continued on 25 February 2025…

Impressions

What Our Guests Are Saying

The Wood Conference unites experts from architecture, engineering, timber construction, and more, along with students and investors. Hear from past attendees as they share their experiences, insights, and the impact of being part of this inspiring event.

Good day Zaida, thank you again for the wonderful conference you and your team presented! I really enjoyed the whole day and all the speakers.

- Johan van der Watt

Dear Zaida,
Thanks once again for all your hard work in organising such a high-quality event which was of international standard.
It was especially pleasing to see how many young professionals & students were in attendance.
It speaks volumes of the interest in including wood as a viable & cost-effective material in traditional construction.
We need to change our traditional way of thinking and start embracing alternative solutions.

- Japie - JG KEMP ARCHITECTS

Dear Zaida
Many thanks for your hard work. This has been one of the best Wood Conferences that I have physically attended through all the years. WELL, done!!! Kindest regards

- Tertius Smit

Thank you very much for hosting us. It was a wonderful experience that I thoroughly enjoyed! I met a lot of interesting people.

- Christian Greyling

Thank you, Zaida.
The conference was most interesting and entertaining, always learning something new about the use of wood!
Thank you to the team that made it possible!
Looking forward to next year’s 13th Wood Conference!

- Lillian Linares

Thanks Zaida, it was fantastic, as usual Kind regards,

- Smaragda Thalassinos

Many thanks.
I miss not being there in person, but thoroughly enjoyed the online version! Thank you for an awesome even(s), looking forward to being there next year Warm greetings

- Paul C Boshoff - Architect