Page 40 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 34

The Environment

elements in ceilings.

Key Benefits
1. Enhanced Durability for

Architectural Structures
Interlocking joints create
strong connections without
the use of glue or nails,
resulting in components that

maintain structural integrity
over time. In architecture, this
approach could be used to

construct timber frameworks
or modular components for
buildings that withstand
significant stress, seismic
activity, or prolonged use.

Image (b) from https: //www.vermonttimberworks.com/blog/dove-
tail-joint-timber-construction/
For example, interlocking wooden beams
could replace conventional fasteners in roof
other has a tongue.
“Vee” jointed boards are used on wall panels trusses or load-bearing walls, providing

or outside doors to make a feature of the buildings with increased longevity and
joints, rather than trying to hide them. resilience. This approach echoes traditional
This is a modern profile that is optimised for Japanese timber architecture, where temples
secret nailing. The position of the nails are and pagodas have withstood centuries of

shown, and you can see that there is more wear and natural disasters without relying on
timber for the nail to grip tan in the first modern adhesives or nails.
example.
This is a section of flooring ply. The ply

sheets have a groove around the outside
edges and a loose tongue is fitted into the
grooves.

e) Butterfly Joints (Asia and Europe): These
are decorative and functional, used to join
slabs of wood while preventing splitting.
They could be integrated into architectural

features like exposed beams or decorative

Image (c)

WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM
40
| we tell the true afrikan story