Wood Conference – An investment in the future
On 25 February 2025, the Wood Conference will celebrate its 15th anniversary.
What began in 2010 as a relatively unknown platform for sustainable construction has now established itself as an indispensable event in the calendar of professionals interested in the use of sustainable building materials. At the time, no one could have imagined that 15 years later the conference would have reached such a size and importance. The original manageable number of participants has now increased tenfold, reflecting the steadily growing interest.
The conference was launched after George Kuratle recognised the opportunities and potential of timber construction in South Africa. The aim was to bring together industry professionals, promote knowledge sharing and advance the South African timber construction industry. At the same time, awareness of wood as the most sustainable building material should be raised. Today, the Wood Conference is one of the leading events in the field of sustainable construction.
The promise that George Kuratle made 15 years ago at the first conference – that the Wood Conference would not be a one-off event, but a long-term investment in knowledge sharing, dialogue and innovation in South Africa – has been consistently delivered over the years. The platform has been continuously developed and is now being continued by the third generation of the Kuratle family.
Over the years, the conference has become a central meeting place for architects, engineers, developers and investors who share a common vision of sustainable construction. Another key factor in its success has been the ongoing support of participants, partners, sponsors and long-standing local employees Zaida Davids and Hannu Garny.
As the conference has grown, so has the potential for local sales of wood products and wood-based materials. Partnerships with local producers and distributors have been expanded to further strengthen the impact on timber construction and sustainable building in South Africa.
Initial situation Logo
- The colour green in the logo does not sufficiently symbolise the reference to wood.
- The plant graphic in the logo does not refer to construction or building, but is quickly associated with nature.
- The current font appears distorted and frivolous.
Conclusion
- The redefinition of the colours strengthens the importance of the Wood Conference.
- The graphic design refers to construction and building.
- The redesign makes it highly likely that the Wood Conference will become more established in the market.
After fifteen years of positive feedback, the success story of the Wood Conference will continue on 25 February 2025 at the CTICC – this time with a completely new look. The organisational structures have been realigned and the entire communication presence, including the visual appearance, has been given a modern update as part of a comprehensive relaunch. With immediate effect, the Kuratle Group company in South Africa will operate under the name Wood Conference SA LTD PTY.
The redesign of the contemporary and professional appearance is based on the technical and creative skills of Asia Giuffrida. As part of her final apprenticeship project in the summer of 2024, which is part of her four-year apprenticeship as a mediamatician, it was her task to develop a new website and design a suitable logo. Her innovative ideas and concepts convinced not only her trainers, but also us. Thanks to her commitment, Asia was able to successfully take on and complete the ‘Relaunch Wood Conference SA’ project. The result is a modern, fresh look characterised by the new colours, the revised emblems, the imagery and the content design of the platform. The new visual identity and optimised communication strategy underscore the role of the Wood Conference as a leading networking platform in the field of sustainable construction in South Africa.