26.02.2021
As Interholco reports, British architect Tom Wilson is one of the winners of the "Conversations on Climate Change" competition. Gorillas, Bongos, Forest elephants and Chimpanzees team up with Tom Wilson in "Forest dwellers". Is it possible to sustainably harvest timber and natural products, contributing to ethical and sustainable economies, as well as safeguarding habitats, biodiversity and the health of the Earth ? The four Forest Dwellers have been conceived to ask this very question. Each is made of a timber from its natural forest habitat, sustainably produced with FSC certication by INTERHOLCO.
The future survival of these creatures, and countless others, is inextricably linked to the survival of their forests: through seed dispersal, they act as ecological architects. But these Forest dwellers are all endangered, or even critically endangered, according to IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Tropical forests are often taken advantage of, and forest land is cleared for other uses, according to Timber Trade Federation CEO David Hopkins. That is where responsibly foresting and sourcing timber become an ‘essential part of the solution’ to prevent habitat loss and to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
For his ‘Forest dwellers’ project, Tom Wilson's Curiostudio was provided with FSC-certified timber sourced through INTERHOLCO’s production site in the Republic of Congo, a country working towards FLEGT-licensing.
Launched in 2020, the competition was organised with the support of the UK Department for International Development and in association with the Building Centre in London. The competition, originally meant to coincide with COP26, is now running from 12 January to 23 April 2021 at the Building Centre, London as well as, online.
For further information on the Forest Dwellers please visit the following links:
Find out how INTERHOLCO safe guards biodiversity protection in the forest it manages responsibly :
Protecting the gorilla forest (ARTE movie)
About INTERHOLCO: 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-certied producer specialized in producing and trading logs, sawntimber, glued laminated scantlings and other products, INTERHOLCO manages the entire chain, from forest to customers since1962.
Harvesting wood selectively, INTERHOLCO protects 1.1million 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.
