15.09.2021. A building represents an obstacle to the wind flow. The wind exerts pressures on the building that generate forces perpendicular to the building surface. Therefore, a building must be designed and dimensioned to withstand the strongest winds that are likely to occur during its lifetime at its location.
The local wind speed depends on the location, the height above the ground, the type of terrain it encounters along its path. The actions on the building depend on the shape, dimensions, stiffness, openings (doors, windows, leaks) in the building, as well as its immediate environment.
To design a building for wind resistance, the designer considers two often coinciding load types being applied to the building: lateral forces pushing horizontally on the building and vertical forces sucking up or pushing down on the building.
Kastrup’s open air sea bath, Denmark: © unsplash
Light-frame wood construction inherently has a great deal of redundancy of members and connections and can behave very well under extreme load events.
Affectionately known as ‘The Snail’, Kastrup Sea Bath is a wholly accessible sea bath. It is connected to the shore by a long wooden pier, facing North-East. The pier gently rises above the sea to become a five-meter diving platform. The circular shape shields the interior space, offering shelter from the wind. A continuous bench runs along the pier, providing additional spaces for swimming, yoga, reflection...
© Ole Haupt
Azobé, a remarkably African species chosen for its natural durability in direct contact with water, will ensure Kastrup’s sea bath will continue to be enjoyed by many generations to come.
African hardwood performs in cyclone-prone areas, as well. A famous example is represented by the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia.
© JooZLY
One of the best examples is perhaps the iconic Tjibaou Cultural Centre located in New Caledonia, in the Pacific Ocean. The Centre is articulated along 10 modern ‘huts’ (cases) facing North-East and South-West, some of which reach 30 meters in height. The huts combine timber glulam and steel.
© Gérard Toiture
Iroko wood was imported from Africa because of its natural durability and resistance to fungi and mould. The construction, completed between 1995 and 1998, is a well-known landmark.
INTERHOLCO offers Sustainable Hardwood 'Made in Africa' as a responsible solution to promote better living conditions (construction with wood), reduce climate change, and increase social justice. As FSC-certified producer specialized in producing and trading logs, sawn timber, glued laminated scantlings and other products, INTERHOLCO manages the entire chain, from forest to customers since 1962. Harvesting wood selectively, INTERHOLCO protects 1.1 million hectares of natural forest from permanent conversion to agricultural land, giving 16’000 local inhabitants access to quality basic services and keeping the habitat of thousands of gorillas and elephants.
Communications contact INTERHOLCO
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Neuhofstr. 25, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.