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TIMBER INARCHITECTURE10.17

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Timber in Architecture supplement

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Industry news

COMMENT: Rising to the challenges of urban constructionFrank Werling of Metsä Wood examines the possibilities of using timber tohelp solve the housing crisis in major UK cities

COMMENT: Height isn’t everythingAlex de Rijke of drMM says that while architects are exploiting thepossibilities of timber to build tall, this should not reinforce a view oftowers as the answer to urban density

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Overarching ambitionGiant timber arches framing what’s thought to be Europe’s largest greenwall signal the credentials of Veolia’s Leeds energy-from-waste facility

Sky opens up to timberMedia behemoth Sky’s marketing tag is ‘believe in better’, so expectationswere high for the design of its flagship HQ building

Taking your kit to schoolTwo new Aberdeenshire schools feature extensive use of a hybrid glulam andCLT system and a ‘kit of parts’ approach to creating flexible learning spaces

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Engineering the perfect floorRussell Calder of Havwoods explains the benefits of engineered timberover solid timber for flooring

Safeguarding structural timber against dampAlex Massingham of RIW with advice on the waterproofing strategiesneeded to help meet engineered timber buildings’ design lifespans

Why the oldest window frame material is the modern choiceAs the industry searches for new alternatives to PVCu, Tony Pell ofThe Wood Window alliance investigates the resurgence of wood frames

Thermally modified timber: standing the test of timeHowarth Timber’s Phil Barman on how thermally modified timbercladding gets around potential issues without losing environmental benefits

Treating your timber right Michael Nicholls of Organowood explains how architects can ensure theirprojects are ‘effortlessly ecological’ 23

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PROJECTS

FEATURES

CONTENTS

10.17

ADF10_Timber Supp Page 03-16_ADF Flatplan 27/09/2017 13:18

4 NEWS

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FROMTHE EDITOR

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p u b l i s h i n g – v e r t i c a l s e a r c h

Sustainable, healthy, beautiful, endlessly forgiving and flexible for building with, what’s not to likeabout wood? While it may not be suitable for absolutely every type of construction, its enduring –and resurgent – popularity is now seeing timber appear in the most unlikely places.

It is now increasingly familiar to see exposed CLT used to span long distances in buildings such as schools,where they can also add a note of warmth throughout – as featured in our report on two Aberdeenshireschools on page 23 of this special supplement. However there are some more surprising and sometimescontroversial examples.

In Barangaroo, Sydney, a CLT and glulam office has recently opened which stands six stories high, and isthe first major office building built in engineered timber in Australia, and not exactly a common sightelsewhere at this scale. Lendlease’s 7000 m2 International House (architect: Tzannes) is a real statement ofintent, and leads the way for other developers across the world looking to provide intrinsically healthy aswell as sustainable environments for staff.

As Alex de Rijke of dRMM postulates in his comment piece on page 10 though, the taller timber buildingsthat are popping up raise questions as to not only whether they are genuinely ‘timber’ buildings, but alsowhether their tallness should be celebrated as an end in itself. Just because you can, with timber, he says,doesn’t mean you should.

Frank Werling of Metsä Wood on page 9 offers a different perspective, that we can look to timberbuildings to quickly provide high quality and energy efficient extra stories on existing buildings, as ameans to address our worsening housing crisis.

Are there any other building materials which can be used to so successfully and harmoniously create everysingle structural element of a healthy and high performing building, plus many other details? I doubt it.However as timber becomes more and more a mainstream medium of choice for many architects anddevelopers, moving far beyond cheap timber frames of the past to high-performance tall buildings,inevitably this brings more questions.

I hope you enjoy this supplement, which not only features some surprising examples of timberarchitecture, but also several insights on some of the product innovations which are driving success in thissector.

James ParkerEditor

ON THE COVER...

Veolia’s new Recycling and Energy Recovery facility inLeeds is a surprising showcase of timber.Read Stephen Cousins’ report on the building byachitect Jean-Robert Mazaud on page 13.

Image © Richard J Walls

TIMBER INARCHITECTURE10.17

adf


5NEWS

WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UKADF OCTOBER 2017

A shortlist of 20 structures havebeen nominated for the Wood Awards2017, featuring some of Britain’s bestarchitectural designs in wood. The judging panel, led by architect

Michael Morrison of Purcell, will visit allthe shortlist projects in person, and thewinners will be revealed at the annualWood Awards ceremony at Carpenters’Hall, London on 21 November.The projects selected for the shortlist

demonstrate a wealth of innovativearchitectural designs that use wood as aprimary material. Cross-laminated timberand glulam timber, steam-bent logs,repurposed wood, and timber cut by‘computer numerical’ control featureamong the many innovative techniquesapplied to the material across the projects. Two of the shortlisted projects boast the

first ever uses of hardwood CLT withinarchitectural applications.

The competition has grouped buildingsinto five subcategories. The Commercial &Leisure category includes Command of theOceans, Historic Dockyard Chatham(Baynes and Mitchell Architects), TheGateway Buildings, Weald and DownlandLiving Museum, Chichester (ABIRArchitects), Hastings Pier (dRMM),Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum(Simpson & Brown).The Education & Public Sector

category shortlist includes Cowan Court,Cambridge (6a architects),GlaxoSmithKline Carbon NeutralLaboratories for Sustainable Chemistry,Nottingham (Fairhursts Design Group),Maggie’s Oldham (dRMM), which will bereported on in detail in the November issueof ADF and Wells Cathedral School, Wells(Eric Parry Architects).The shortlist for the ‘Interiors’ category

includes 1 New Burlington Place, London

(Allford Hall Monaghan Morris), House inDevon, Dartmouth (6a architects),Nautilus, London (architect HassanNourbakhsh, Borheh), Oak Lined House,London (Knox Bhavan Architects).The ‘Private’ category includes four

shortlisted entries: The Crow’s Nest, Dorset(AR Design Studio), Hampshire

Passivhaus, Hampshire (Ruth ButlerArchitects), Stepping Stone House,Maidenhead (Hamish and Lyons), andWoodman’s Treehouse, West Dorset(Brownlie Ernst and Marks Limited).Lastly, the Small Projects award

also has four entries: Belarussian MemorialChapel, London (Spheron Architects),Feilden Fowles Studio, London (FeildenFowles Architects), Saw-mill Shelter,Beaminster (Architectural AssociationDesign and Make students), The Smile,Chelsea College of Arts, London (AlisonBrooks Architects).

Wood Awards 2017 shortlist announcedAWARDS

1 New Burlington Place© Rob-Parrish

Maggie’s Oldham© Jasmin Sohi

Command of the Oceans


1 2 16:25

6 NEWS


Irish studio workshop JosephWalsh Studio has unveiled its latestcommission, a 7 metre tall sculpturemade of multiple layers of laminatedolive ash wood that will be joiningthe National Gallery of Ireland’spermanent collection. Magnus Modus, currently displayed

in the gallery’s courtyard, is the latestaddition to the Magnus Series, which“challenges the perception thatfunction demands an explicit use,”commented Joseph Walsh, founder ofJoseph Walsh Studio.Assembled and designed in a large

warehouse, the curved sculpture wascommissioned by the Office of PublicWorks (OPW) on behalf of theNational Gallery of Ireland under thePer Cent for Art Scheme as a result ofwinning an invite-only competitionstaged by the OPW. According to Walsh, the sculpture

“responds to whether art cantranscend history while alsoaddressing the relationship betweenform and function.” He added:“Magnus Modus is the culmination ofall the pieces created during the past15 years and the inspiration that wentinto designing them. This commissiongave me the opportunity to exploreideas around pure sculpture andtranslate them into a full scale piece.“It is the very reflection of my

search for effortless design harmony.”

Joseph Walsh unveils MagnusModus sculpture

SCULPTURE

The winning designs in Trada’s 2017 studentdesign competition ‘CO2nnect’ will be ableto be viewed on TRADA’s stand – T260 – atTimber Expo (10-12 October, NEC). First prize went to a team from the

University of Edinburgh, scooping £2000for ‘Gateway’, a modular design that uses aseries of reconfigurable hexagonal shapes. TRADA’s latest book, ‘Cross-Laminated

Timber: Design and Performance, adefinitive guide to CLT’ will be available topurchase at the show. Also available will be

a diverse range of free Wood InformationSheets, Case Studies and LearningResources, covering all aspects of timberdesign and build.Entwined, an innovative timber

pavilion will also be on display on the stand.Designed by students from the EmergentTechnologies and Design Programme at theArchitectural Association School ofArchitecture, co-ordinated by TRADA andsponsored by Hanson Plywood, thiscreation derives from extensive research onplywood composite material systems. Itfocuses on the integration of doubly curvedplywood forms and tensile cables.

Attendees to the Timber Focus Theatrecan claim CPD points by registering fortheir certificate at stand T150.

TRADA at TimberExpo 2017

STUDENT COMPETITION

A 240 m2 pre-fabricated wooden publicinstallation situated next to the Toni Arealschool in Zurich. House 2 – Counter City is a product of

an experimental format for collaborativedesign and construction conceived byALICE (Atelier de la Conception del’Espace) and led by Dieter Dietz at theÉcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.Erected in less than 10 days, the project

involved 200 first-year students whoprefabricated all the built elements of theinstallation in Lausanne, transporting themacross Switzerland to Zurich for assembly. The installation is a result of various

different architectural contributions.Each offers an approach to “spatial

appropriation” through a “dialogicalprocess questioning the quality of publiclife in view of urban globalisation”. To foster civic engagement, ALICE, in

collaboration with the Zurich University ofthe Arts (ZHdK) curated a series of eventsfor summer 2017 to take place within andaround the installation. These includedguided tours, performances, soundinstallations, symposia, student critiquesand exhibitions, and film viewings.Dieter Dietz commented: “through these

activities, House 2 expands the practice ofcollaboration into the public sphere of thecity. As a forum installation, it provides aspace for active exchange, debate anddiscussion involving the entire community.”

House 2 harbours creativecollaboration in Zurich

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8 NEWS


The Structural Timber Awards will be heldat the NEC Birmingham on 10 Octoberalongside Timber Expo, celebrating“innovation, best practice and expertise intimber technology,” said the organisers. The Awards will showcase innovativesolutions and ground-breakingdevelopments from across the UK timberindustry, the shortlist having been selectedfrom over 200 entries. Each of the judgesshortlisted projects in a group of categories,with there being 17 categories in total. Thecategories include project awards for SocialHousing, Private Housing, Custom & SelfBuild, Healthcare, Commercial, Retail &Leisure, and Low Energy, as well as theProject Innovation Award, Project of theYear, and Architect of the Year. The awards will be presented to thewinners at a dinner which will beattended by 600 “national business leadersand high profile decision makers” from theconstruction industry.The Judges’ Choice Award in 2016 wentto Sarah Wigglesworth Architects forMellor School in Cheshire (pictured).Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of theStructural Timber Association commentedon the 2016 awards: “It is truly inspiring tosee so much activity in the sector and towitness so many boundaries being pushed.The depth of expertise across all categorieswas impressive.”The list of 2017 finalists can be viewed atwww.structuraltimberawards.co.uk/2017-finalists

Awards celebrateexcellence instructural timber

AWARDS

WG+P Architects (Waind Gohil + Potter)in collaboration with Webb YatesStructural Engineers, have won a designcompetition with their new glampingcabin, the Sky Hut, inspired bytraditional Welsh myths and stargazing.The firm’s winning entry is timber cladwith a retractable roof so campers cangaze out into the Welsh night sky, thanksto a simple geared cable systemborrowed from sailing technology. With the doors open, the Sky Hut canbe configured as an observatory. Uponthe turn of a crank handle, it quicklycloses again forming a retreat, with eyelevel glazing giving 360º views.The Sky Hut is made using Welshsourced timber structure insulated withunprocessed sheep’s wool, whilesinusoidal metal sheet claddingacknowledges Wales’ role in industry. All

materials are carefully detailed andchosen for their durability and economy.The competition was staged by EpicRetreats, a partnership between Best ofWales, Cambria Tours and George +Tomos Architects and partially funded bythe Welsh Government’s Tourism ProductInnovation Fund.

Sky Hut from WG+P Architectsgazes at the stars

GLAMPING IT UP

The city of São Paulo is soon tobecome home to a construction madecompletely of CLT from Brazilian wood.The project, spawned from an initiativeby Brazilian forest management companyAmata, was designed by Triptyque, theFranco-Brazilian architectural firm. The Amata Building is to be built on asite measuring 1,025 m² in the VilaMadalena neighbourhood forming atotal floor space area of 4,700 m2. Themixed-use concept towers at 13 storieshigh and will house co-working, co-livingplus restaurant spaces.The project’s structure will consist ofcross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, aproduct whose structural properties allowit to be used as a structural material forhigh-rise buildings. Every 40 hours theAMATA’s forests grow enough timber tobuild up to a 10-storey CLT building.For every 1 m³ of reforested wood onemetric ton of atmospheric CO2 is absorbed

from the atmosphere. As a result of thisproject Brazil will be closer to honouringits pledge at the 21st Climate Conference(COP 21) 2015 in Paris, where it promisedto replant 12 million hectares of forest andreduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent before 2030. Dario Guarita Neto, who is co-founderand CEO at Amata, said: “Woodenframed buildings are an efficient solutionand may serve as a boost toward achange in the environmental consciousnessof our societies because, as we replacenon-renewable resources with natural rawmaterials, we also help create a cleanerproduction chain, adding value to certifiedforests. This can, in turn, lower thepressure of deforestation.”

São Paulo exploresCLT mixed-use

BRAZIL


Mass urbanisation is one of the most significant issuesfacing humanity today. By 2050 two thirds of the world’spopulation will live in cities. Consequently, urban

growth is outpacing the ability to build affordable and sustainableliving spaces.Cities all over the world are in dire need of new ways to house arapidly growing urban population. Nowhere is this more evidentthan in our capital city, where space is at a premium and housingthe ever-growing population continues to pose a huge challenge. London is at the peak of a housing crisis with the GreaterLondon Authority (GLA) forecasting that the city will require60,000 new homes a year (around double the current rate) to meetnew projections. Innovation in building methods and materials isrequired for house building in urban areas to hit these targets,while ensuring fast and sustainable construction. One obvious, yet often overlooked solution is to start buildingup, and stop tearing down. Using new modern timber enablesseveral stories to be constructed on top of existing structures. A building extension constructed with a timber frame can be a fast,sustainable and inexpensive solution. Research from the GLA shows that approximately a quarter ofexisting buildings are strong enough to carry additional floorsmade of wood. This makes wood a highly promising buildingmaterial for providing living space for billions of people – whilealso preserving the architectural heritage of our cities. One of the other main considerations for considering timber inurban construction is energy efficiency, not only during theconstruction process but also for the lifetime of the building. This isextremely important in London as it currently has a target of a 60per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2025 as part of theClimate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy. According to theGLA homes and workplaces currently account for 78 per cent of CO2 emissions in London while 80 per cent of the existinghousing stock is likely to still be in place by 2025. In light of this, itis essential to improve the energy performance of new builds inorder to cut costs and carbon. As part of a project to explore the various possibilities of

building with wood, Metsä Wood offers detailed examples of how tobuild recognisable, but modern versions of well known architecturalbuildings, such as the Empire State Building using wood as the mainmaterial. The models have been exhibited at trade shows across theglobe and have helped to raise awareness, challenge conceptions andspark debate around modern timber construction.

The project is just one example of how innovative design ischallenging the perception of what is possible in urbanconstruction. It is now becoming more widely acknowledged thattimber products have a major role to play in building cities of thefuture using fast, light and green materials.Further information, including a full list of competition entries,can be found on the Metsä Wood website, at the following URL:www.metsawood.com/planb

Frank Werling is head of technical, engineering and design at Metsä Wood

Frank Werling of Metsä Wood examines the possibilities of using timber to help solvethe housing crisis in major UK cities

COMMENT

Research from the GLA shows that around a quarter of existing buildings arestrong enough to carry additional floors made of wood

Rising to the challenges of urban construction

9COMMENT



Concrete, steel, glue and glass are always essential

p

COMMENT

Why do architects want to build high - specially in timber?Like testosterone-fuelled explorers driven to go further,the challenge is apparently irresistible. The biggest

erection wins the global reputation, the research stakes, the mediainterest, the TED talk and the necessarily short-lived title of the‘World’s Tallest Timber Tower’.At dRMM Architects we pioneered engineered timber

architecture in the EU, exhibiting the first cross-laminated flatpack prototype house in Oslo in 2006, and realising state school buildings from 2007. In 2009 the practice proposed a 6000seat Handball Arena for the 2012 London Olympics, and a 10storey all-timber apartment building design to developer Lend Leasefor the Athlete’s Village. This, also ahead of its time, was in the eventbuilt in concrete frame, but LendLease went on to build the

10-storey Forte CLT tower in Melbourne in 2014. In 2008, dRMM,collaborating with Norwegian practice Helen & Hard Architectsproposed 14-storey timber towers near Stavanger, Norway. These(pictured above) were designed as all-timber structures buteventually built in 2014 as a concrete and timber hybrid.

Alex de Rijke of drMM says that while architects are exploiting the possibilities oftimber to build tall, this should not reinforce a view of towers as the answer to urbandensity, and it’s unrealistic to expect them to be true timber buildings.

Height isn’t everything

The design intentions are laudablygrounded in global environmentalism, butthe outcome is ironically the language ofsteel frame construction

© S

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10 COMMENT



How high is high, when it comes to timber? Although unbuilt proposals compete for the title, including PLP’s 80-storey‘toothpick’ designed for a site in London in 2016 via CambridgeUniversity, in 2017 the world’s ‘tallest timber tower’ built is BrockCommons Tallwood House by Acton Ostry Architects for theUniversity of British Columbia. This uses the CREE concrete andtimber with steel connector system devised by Hermann Kaufmanand Arup. At 17 storeys, the first floor and cores are concrete andthe wood above not visible as it is covered in drywall. The designintentions are laudably grounded in global environmentalism, butthe outcome is ironically the language of steel frame construction,like 1960s Mies van de Rohe buildings now constructed in wood. The sky’s the limit for the fast evolving world of modern timber

construction techniques, and the architectonic expression of ‘new’materials and forms remains underexplored. The relevant question is not how high can you go, but do you really need towers to achieve urban density? And if so, at what height does itstop making sense to use 100 per cent timber? The absurdity ofstructural perversity is the actual limit for timber construction. It is worth noting that the tallest trees (Californian Redwoods) are beautifully resolved structures, and rarely grow higher than 100 metres, circa 33 storeys. For 20 years I have been advocating laminated timber’s

outstanding versatility, weight to strength performance, sustainability, speed and limitless expression. Together with Arupand the American Hardwood Export Council, dRMM haveinvented and tested cross laminated hardwood; the 2013 Endless Stair installation was specifically created to demonstrateengineered timber’s massive potential for the 21st century

construction industry. In 2017 we completed the first building usinghardwood CLT, Maggie’s Oldham (which will be featured in depthin November’s ADF). This project showcases structural exposedtulipwood CLT, timber insulation, and a specially designedthermally modified external cladding, also tulipwood. The reasonfor inventing sustainable hardwood CLT was that it is lighter,stronger and more beautiful.As a timber architecture specialist I hesitate to advocate very

tall all-timber structures for the sake of simply being higher, or topretend that what are inevitably hybrid structures are actually‘timber’ towers. Concrete, steel, glue and glass are always essentialparts of the design; what is important is the ratios. To build 30-plusstoreys high in 100 per cent timber, and whether as a frame or masswood construction, currently means using more timber than isefficient; the top-down progressive loads mean that the lower levelsof the tower would literally be a forest of wood. The considered answer to this century’s architecture is not the

‘tallest timber tower’ but clever composite structures as well as newhigh density 6-12 storey building typologies; i.e. how you makesustainable cities. Mixing in but reducing steel and concrete to theabsolute minimum, whilst exploiting timber’s unique ability toinvert the construction industry paradigm for carbon production,pollution and waste, is the desired future.

Alex de Rijke is a founding director of architects dRMM and hasoverseen concept, construction of delivery including the 2017 StirlingPrize shortlisted Hastings Pier, Maggie’s Oldham, Tower of Love inBlackpool, and Rundeskogen in Norway.

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Avast 42 metre-high, 123 metre-longwall of vegetation is the not the firstthing you expect to see on an out

of town industrial estate, and certainly notthe side of a power station, but that isprecisely the sight that greets visitors to the new Recycling and Energy RecoveryFacility (RERF) in Leeds.The green wall is a key sustainable

element of the 12,000 m2 building, designed by French architects S’pace forVeolia Environmental Services, Leeds City Council’s waste management partner, which will operate the facilityunder a 25-year PFI contract. The plant will process around 214,000

tonnes of this waste a year, and features an arc-shaped wooden frame, the tallest of its type in the UK, constructed entirelyfrom giant ‘ribs’ of glulam timber. The wall was conceived as habitat for

birds, animals and insects, and representsthe ambitions of a local city council keen to transform public perception ofenergy-to-waste facilities, which aretypically considered undesirable additionsto neighbourhoods.

Jean Robert Mazaud, president of S’pace, tells ADF: “The first time I arrivedon site, all I could see was a huge parkinglot, but sprouting up between the variousconcrete surfaces were small amounts ofgrass and flowers.” It was a demonstration

Giant arched timber columns and what’s thought to be the largest green wall in Europesignal the sustainability credentials of a striking new energy-from-waste facility in Leeds.Stephen Cousins reports

Overarching ambition

VEOLIA RECYCLING AND ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITYLEEDS

BUILDINGPROJECTS

The wall was conceived asa habitat for birds, animalsand insects

© Chris George

© Chris George

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of how nature is resistant to the stupidactions of humans.” The wall of vegetationis said to symbolize how people can protectour living environment, “because a deadenvironment does not need protecting.”

A passionate French architect, Mazaudhas been designing industrial plants for thepast 35 years, 10 of which have beenlocated in the UK. The Leeds facilityrepresents the culmination of many of hisideas, and in many ways is his mostambitious to date. He adds: “I believe wemust show in industrial buildings that weare sustainable, planet-orientated andstrive to maintain and protect the livingenvironment. We have no choice in this, ifa client says they don’t want to go downthat route I just quit.”

Ambitious targetsThe RERF is located on the Cross Greenindustrial estate, around five kilometres

south east of the city centre. It wasconstructed by main contractor Clugstonand French waste energy specialist CNIM.

The facility will mostly target householdbin waste, processing around 214,000tonnes of material and generating up to 15 MW of electricity for the national grid each year, plus combined heat andpower for local businesses. It is also forecast to recover around 16,000 tonnes of recyclable material, removed usingspecialist machinery.

The facility forms an important part of the council’s 20-year Integrated WasteStrategy, launched in 2005, which targets a minimum 55 per cent reduction in wasteby 2016, rising to 60 per cent in the longer term.

Before this project, all of the city’s residual waste was sent to landfill, a costlyprocess made more costly by rising landfill taxes that were pushing up costs

AMBITIONSThe Leeds facility represents the culmination of manyof the ideas of architect Jean Robert-Mazaud

14 VEOLIA RECYCLING AND ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY, LEEDS



by around £1.5m per year. Construction ofthe RERF is targeted to save the council£200m by 2040.

The plant comprises three connectedbuildings, a mechanical pre-treatment hall, a main energy recovery facility and an ash storage facility.

Waste first passes through thepre-treatment hall, where materials, such asplastic, cardboard, ferrous and non-ferrousmetals are removed for recycling, and non-recyclable materials are carried via conveyor into the main facility. Here they are incinerated to produce steam to drive turbines and generateenough electricity to power up to 20,000homes. Ash, a byproduct of the energygeneration process, is kept in a dedicatedstorage building before being taken awayfor recycling.

“Each phase uses space completely differently, which generated three

differently shaped volumes,” says Mazaud. “The first has a huge flat surface, thesecond a high and narrow volume, the thirda pyramidal volume.”

Giant timbersThe main facility is instantly recognisablefor its chunky timber superstructure,comprising 20 load-bearing glulam arches designed to fully envelop theprocessing equipment inside.

Mazaud comments: “The building had to be tall because of the arrangement of the industrial equipment inside. The furnaceburns such a large quantity of waste that alarge space is required to stabilise theprocess and cool the air with air-cooledcondensers, at the east end of the building,before it is rejected.”

The use of 42 metre-long glulam timbers is not unusual in construction,what is unusual is to erect them vertically,

The use of 42 metre-longglulam timbers is notunusual in construction,what is unusual is to erectthem vertically

15VEOLIA RECYCLING AND ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY, LEEDS



even though this orientation is fairlystraight forward to achieve usingexisting technology.A total 2,600 m3 of glulam was supplied,

assembled on site by German timberspecialist Hess Timber – whose recent work includes the D1 tower in Dubai – andthe Museum of Foundation Louis Vuitton,in Paris. Each column is curved at the top and has a cross section of 400 mm x 760 mm.

Engineered timber is very robust andlightweight, recyclable and energy efficient and it worked out cheaper andfaster to install than steel or concrete alternatives. In the event of a fire, thetimber would (counter-intuitively) burnslowly remaining self-supporting for many hours compared to steel, whichtransforms and twists relatively quickly. “The client was initially adamant there

should be no wood, but its strong performance in a fire turned out to be one of the arguments I used to persuadethem it was the right choice for the project,”says Mazaud, whose fascination with wood goes back to his childhood growing upin a forest where his family ran a saw mill. A timber frame was also used for the

ash storage building, a 12 metre-tall half-dome shaped structure covered bysedum roof.The arched frame of the main facility

is clad in translucent polycarbonatecladding, on its north face, the south elevation is covered by the 1,800 m2

green wall, which runs in vertical stripsbetween the giant timber columns.The green wall was designed and

installed by UK-based firm Biotecture and will provide a live habitat for all typesof insects, birds and other animals. It is inaccessible to humans which shouldhelp protect the wildlife from beingdisturbed or accidentally killed by gardeners or maintenance engineers.The vegetation is fed using a hydroponic

spray irrigation system with intelligentwater management. According toBiotecture, the system offers great resilienceand fast installation, because most of the work, such as ‘pre-growing’ the walls, is carried out off-site, giving an instant

Before this project, all ofthe city’s residual wastewas sent to landfill

16 VEOLIA RECYCLING AND ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY, LEEDS



CHALLENGESThe architects faced challenges trying to convinceproject stakeholdersImages courtesy of S’pace

PROJECT TEAM

Client: Leeds City Council / VeoliaEnvironmental ServicesArchitect: S’paceMain contractor: Clugston Construction / CNIM joint ventureMain contract value: £47mConcrete supplier: Hope Construction MaterialsCladding subcontractor: FK GroupGlulam timber frame manufacturer:Hess

visual impact as the panels are planted withsemi-mature plants.

Staying groundedSuch a high level of sustainable design is unusual for an energy-from-waste plantand S’Pace faced challenges trying toconvince project stakeholders, whose focusis normally on functionality and cost, that it was the right direction to take. The project was also subject to a

sustained campaign from locals and otherorganisations, and received 300 formalobjections during the planning process.As a result, Mazaud and the design

team met with Leeds City Council’s design committee up to 12 times a month to explain the design and provide variousguarantees that the project would succeed. “This is a very special and unusual

way to control the design of an industrialfacility,” he says. “The committee was very tough and wanted to check every

single detail before signing on the dotted line – they needed reassurancesregarding the use of wood, that the traffic around the plant would be undercontrol, that there would be no smell ornoise – they wanted guarantees on everysingle aspect.”However, the architect saw this high

level of scrutiny as a benefit rather than an obstacle, he adds: “It was crucial and provided the best support possible to convince my client, who attended everymeeting, that they had to be able to satisfythese people, otherwise there was noproject, no contract, and no profit.” The facility officially opened in

November and, despite some early teething problems with equipment andprocessing that have caused it to fall short of recycling targets, serves as an important benchmark for how to buildgreener, more socially sustainable powerplants in the future. �

17VEOLIA RECYCLING AND ENERGY RECOVERY FACILITY, LEEDS


ADF10_Timber Supp -30_ADF Flatplan 25/09/2017 15:01 Page 17

Media behemoth Sky’s marketing tag is ‘believe in better’, so expectations were high forthe design of its flagship HQ building. Ray Philpott finds out if it lives up to the hype

Sky opens up to timber

SKY CENTRALOSTERLEY, LONDON

BUILDINGPROJECTS



Sky Central in Osterley, Middlesex,is an impressive building thatsuccessfully combines two distinct but

equally effective design aesthetics. From the outside it is a large, striking

and elegant silver aluminium and glassenvelope, a calm, sophisticated and slickreinterpretation of an industrial warehouse.Step inside PLP and AL_A’s building andyou are struck by a large, open, busy spacewith a light-filled, with a three storey highatrium at its centre, giving off a real buzz.

The building’s expansive interior, largeareas of timber roof structure, oak flooringand wooden staircases have a distinctly

warmer feel than its glossy and coolenvelope would indicate.

At ground level a busy circulation area,known as ‘Sky Street’, runs east to west for100 metres. From there a whole range offacilities can be accessed, including six cafesand restaurants, a dry cleaner, postalservices, shoe repairs, a cashless LittleWaitrose supermarket, and a 200-seatcinema with a state of the art sound system.Informal and large meeting areas plus amajor open event space have been createdin column-free areas.

A series of ‘neighbourhoods’ – team-based work spaces for up to 200 people –

© Hufton+Crow



surround the atrium, all but one on the firstand second floors. These neighbourhoodsoffer wide vistas where workers can see‘hub’ activity or look across at each other.

Glass-sided lift shafts and exposed rampsand staircases located on the outer edges ofthe broadly H-shaped atrium link all threefloors together, and have been carefullydesigned and positioned to reinforce thefeeling of space and light.

A series of stacked, floating mezzanines,set slightly below normal floor level, serveas ‘breakout’ areas and connection pointsfor the lifts and stairs.

Presiding over all of this is the Sky NewsStudio, a large transparent glass box on thesecond floor above Sky Street, wherepresenters can be watched broadcasting livenews as people go about their work.Clearly, this is not a typical office.

ConceptLaunched in 2016, Sky Central is thelargest building to be added to Sky Campus,the UK-based broadcasting giant’sheadquarters complex in the West Londonsuburb of Osterley.

While architect AL_A was responsible forplanning and the overall external concept,PLP Architecture was appointed by Sky asthe interior design and executing architectin 2013 with a brief to “reimagine” theinterior of the building.

“Sky wanted something game-changingand intuitive,” explains PLP director CindyLau. “Our design needed to support a widerange of agile working styles and the evolvingstructures of teams, stimulate collaborationand encourage chance, unexpected interac-tions between people. Sky also wanted thebuilding to support employees’ wellbeing.”

PLP responded with an internalarchitectural design promoting flexible andcollaborative workspaces by creating 11distinct neighbourhoods around a centralhub linked by the mezzanines. At the sametime the concept sought to generate abright, open space promoting visibility andmovement, a place where people couldeasily interact.

To achieve this, the architects felt somechanges were required to aspects of thedesign concept, primarily the roof andcirculation areas.

Lau comments: “The original design wasintended to be read as a shed with a floor toceiling space that created a sense of lightand openness. We decided to take that astep further.”

Industrial chicBuilding on their experience of officeprojects in the City and working closelywith structural engineers Arup, thearchitects redesigned the roof to creategreater concentrations and quantities ofskylights bringing in more light, andamendments were made to the recessedglazing in the external walls.

While timber was always part of theoriginal roof concept, PLP accentuated itsuse, employing 1.3 metre deep spruceglulam-beams up to 21 metres long andspaced 3 metres apart to support aprefabricated timber cassette roof deck.This structural approach opens out – andreduces the density of – one of the largesttimber roofs in Europe, enabling increaseduse of glazing.

The dimensions of the floor plate werealso revisited and the atrium reconfiguredinto a single large central area that spatiallyfeels more open without losing floor space.

Structurally, the building is built around aconcrete frame on a 9 metres by 10.5metres and 9 metre by 9 metre grid,stabilised by six evenly placed concretecores. The design shifted circulation servicesout of the cores and into the atrium,enabling the architects to regain someinternal floor area.

“Moving the stairs and glazed liftshafts into the atrium created a verticalcirculation area connected by mezzaninesand made them highly visible architecturalfeatures to be celebrated,” Lau points out.“When you arrive there’s a sense ofmovement and animation created by acombination of people’s activities and themechanics and inner workings of the liftsand services on show.”

Lau continues: “The mezzanines andcirculation areas are designed in anarchitectural language of industrial chicSky wanted, separating them from theconcrete superstructure.”

“Everything within the atrium is oflightweight construction, much of itprefabricated off-site. We made extensiveuse of timber framing, architectural steeland oak flooring. For example, we used

The concept sought togenerate a bright, openspace promoting visibilityand movement, a placewhere people could easily interact

© Mark Cocksedge

© Mark Cocksedge

20 SKY CENTRAL, OSTERLEY, LONDON



AGILEPLP responded with an internal architectural designthat promotes flexible and collaborative workspaces,by creating 11 distinct ‘neighbourhoods’ around a hub

SKY CENTRAL IN NUMBERS

• 3,500 employees• 5,000 work places• 165 m x 100 m footprint• 3 >oors• 5.5 m >oor-to-ceiling heights• 22 m high overall• 100 m internal ‘street’• 18 internal ‘neighbourhoods’ created

• 6 km of glulam beams • 400 triple-glazed skylights in roof• 45,000 m2 of work and amenityspace

• 200-seat cinema • First UK cashless supermarket

© Mark Cocksedge © Mark Cocksedge

Courtesy of Sky

those materials on the stairs and on themezzanines, while a structural timber frameruns across the whole width with oakflooring on top in place of more typicalconcrete decking.”

Wiring, ducting and other services aredeliberately on view as part of what Laudescribes as the “honest design ethos”.Crucially however, the architects workedclosely with the engineers to carefullyplan and implement the building’s lightingand other essential systems so serviceinstallations on show are visuallybalanced, not random and potentiallyunsightly by-products.

FlexibilityExternally, the long exterior of building isbroken up by a series of 1 metre-deepreveals holding the glazed elementsincorporated to add interest to the overallfacade reading and providing passiveshading to the windows. Sky wanted itsexterior to share a similar architecturalpalette applied to other recently completedbuildings on its campus; the Believe inBetter Building, The Hub and Sky Studiosall feature silver-coloured finishes.

However, the interior design of SkyCentral isn’t required to follow the other

facilities. Nevertheless, bearing the future inmind, PLP chose a limited colour palette,primarily utilising neutral white and greyalong with timber tones.

“We believe architecture should stand thetest of time and this building offers clientsthe flexibility to change things later on,”points out project lead and PLP DirectorWayne McKiernan.

PLP’s 200-person ‘neighbourhood’concept also offers the flexibility needed forthe kind of agile working Sky favours. Atfull capacity there’s only enough desk spacefor 70 per cent of the 3,500 working there,and no-one has a personal desk.

McKiernan says: “Each neighbourhood isself-sufficient but sharing two ‘home zones’with its adjacent neighbours. The HomeZone is an on-floor kitchen for preparingdrinks and food, bringing a human touch,and acting as familiar landmarks within thevery large floor plates.”

They share a range of common elements,including: breakout areas; formal meetingrooms and open meeting areas; plus quiet,standard and larger ‘shared’ desking types.

In helping create the work environmentPLP liaised initially with Sky’s own workspace team, and later with experts fromspecialist in the sector Hassell to configure

21SKY CENTRAL, OSTERLEY, LONDON



the work spaces, particularly regardinghow the common elements are positionedand interact with the internal architectureand services.

Again, the grey, white and timber paletteis applied across the neighbourhoods,along with other common features such astimber flooring, black steel frames todemarcate open areas and wall tiles for thebreakout areas.

“Although the appearance ofcommon elements vary slightly betweenneighbourhoods, Sky wanted eachneighbourhood to be broadly similar, notdesigned around a specific team.

“That way if an individual moves, or ateam changes neighbourhood, familiarity ismaintained and transitional confusionminimised,” explains McKiernan.

SustainabilityBeing keen on sustainability, Sky drovesignificant use of timber and extensiveinternal planting involving some27,000 plants.

The structure’s been awarded a BREEAMExcellent rating but the company has

endeavoured to exceed that standard wherepossible. It utilises a highly efficient thermalmodel combining fabric design and aninternal system selection which aims toreduce overall carbon emission by up to 40per cent better than current legislation.

Some 1400 highly efficient PV panelshave been installed across the roof,generating power, while triple glazednorth-facing skylights with low-e sideglazing, combined with passive internalshading form the glulam beams, help toreduce solar gain.

RewardingReflecting on the project, WayneMcKiernan comments: “We had a very tighttwo-year window to design and completethe project after our appointment in 2013.

“So we were carrying out the design withconstruction already in progress, whichwas pretty challenging but thanks to acombination of our experience and great,established working relationships with theengineers and Sky’s team, we achieved theproject’s ambitions.

“Sky were extremely encouraging andallowed us to break away from the designof a typical office building – we had thefreedom to create a truly ground-breakingwork environment.

“Ultimately we’ve created a building withthe kind of inner space you just wouldn’texpect from outside. When you walk in andsee live broadcasting taking place right infront of you, surprise and excitement grabsyou straight away. That’s very rewardingfor a visitor and leaves a lasting memory.” �

NEIGHBOURHOODSThe ‘neighbourhoods’ share a range of common elements including breakout areas, formal meetingrooms and open meeting areas, plus quiet, standardand larger shared desking

© Mark Cocksedge

PROJECT FACTFILE

Concept architect: AL_AInterior design & executing Architect: PLP Architecture Workspace designer: Hassell Engineering: ArupMain contractor: MaceSteelwork: CMF / BourneCladding: PraterLifts: Otis (Enclosure by CMF)Glazing: Interpane with Schueco frames

The structure’s beenawarded a BREEAMExcellent rating but theclient has endeavoured toexceed that standardwhere possible

© Hufton+Crow

22 SKY CENTRAL, OSTERLEY, LONDON



In April 2012 Aberdeenshire Councilapproved a brief to inform the delivery of five new primary schools

– namely Midmill in Kintore, Turriff,Drumoak, Hillside in Portlethen andUryside in Inverurie. The schools have beenfunded directly by Aberdeenshire Council’sCapital Plan and were traditionallyprocured to ensure the authoritymaintained a tight control on quality. Theconstruction work was tendered viaAberdeenshire Council’s Main ContractorsFramework Agreement. MorrisonConstruction was awarded the contract tobuild Midmill, Turriff and Uryside Schools.Hillside and Drumoak Schools wereawarded to FM Construction andRobertson Construction respectively.Aberdeenshire’s brief focuses on creating

educational spaces which encourage accessibility and social development as partof the curriculum, with natural light,flexible space, transparency for ease ofmanagement, and direct links to theoutdoors as key design elements. The fivestandalone schools, which are similar in size and scale, have been delivered within a five-year timescale between 2012-17.This gave the council just two and a halfyears from approval of the brief beforethe first project started on site, withcommencement on site of subsequentschools scheduled for every six months. Thetwo final schools – Turriff and Uryside –are nearing completion, with both due foroccupation by the end of 2017.Each school has been individually

designed by separate project teams using a ‘kit of parts’ approach which was developed in response to the brief.

Two of five new schools being provided for Aberdeenshire feature the extensive use of ahybrid glulam and CLT system and a ‘kit of parts’ approach, leading to a range ofbenefits for flexible learning environments. Eve Dennehy reports for ADF

Taking your kit to school

MIDMILL & TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOLSABERDEENSHIRE

BUILDINGPROJECTS

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Strategic spatial relationships were agreed across both schools including the relationship of classrooms to each other,for which a series of key requirements wereidentified. These include square-shaped,flexible classrooms and general purposein-between spaces that could be opened upfor flexible learning. Teaching space isdesigned around a template of a four-classroom cluster with a central groupteaching area where wet areas are locatedto meet accessibility requirements.

Another key part of the brief was theseparation of the dining hall and the gymhall – designated as shared spaces.Promoting healthy eating is an importantpart of Aberdeenshire’s curriculum, soensuring that the dining experience takesplace in a light, bright space with directaccess to outdoors was important.Separating the two spaces also allowsthe gym to function independently andprovide facilities for community sportsuse, whilst the dining space can functionas an additional flexible learning andcommunity space.

Two of the schools have been constructedusing a hybrid glulam and CLT portalframe installed by G-frame Structures – a UK delivery partner of CLT manufacturerStora Enso. The first, Midmill PrimarySchool, impressed the project teams for theremaining schools and they took the lessonslearned at Midmill and applied them to thenew school at Turriff, adopting the samehybrid method. The project team forUryside was also keen to use CLT andglulam combination, but decided that thedesign and procurement process wasalready too advanced to change course and

the project has gone ahead as a hybridglulam and steel construction.

“Glulam and CLT were specified forMidmill and Turriff schools for a number of reasons,” explains Craig Matheson,architect at Aberdeenshire Council. “The requirement for a flexible learningenvironment meant an obvious solutionwas to introduce a portal frame structure at regular centres, which removes therequirement for load-bearing and fixedinternal partitions. Once this became astructural direction there were two clearoptions for us to consider – either glulamor steel.”

He continues: “Architecturally we werevery keen to explore glulam for the portalframe and as this option developed itbecame apparent that the benefits extendedbeyond aspects of aesthetics.

Matheson comments on how CLT met thebracing requirements: “We were required tolook at bracing the structure, which in mostcases required the bracing to be concealedwithin the internal lining. With glulam weinvestigated the use of CLT panels to bracethe glulam frame and we recognised a seriesof benefits to this. On external walls theCLT panels could be integrated into thetimber frame kit which provided aninsulated, weathertight wrap to the buildingand internally there was the potential ofleaving the CLT exposed as an internalfinish. By forming the larger spaces such asthe gym hall in CLT it essentially created ahuge plywood box to secure the portalframes to. The architecture and the structurewere becoming much more intrinsicallylinked and for us this opened up the possibilityfor more interesting and honest spaces.”

Each school has beenindividually designed by separate project teams using a ‘kit of parts’ approach

24 MIDMILL & TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ABERDEENSHIRE



Matthew Linegar, head of buildingsystems at Stora Enso and a structuralengineer who has spent 12 yearsspecialising internationally in CLTconstruction, expands on this:“Cross-laminated timber is ideally suited tohybrid applications such as this.” Heexplains: “It has an inherent high in-planestrength and stiffness allowing it to act as adiaphragm plate when used in floors orroofs and as shear walls, thus providingstability to the building and replacing theneed for bracing.”“The loadings of the glulam and CLT are

also lighter than steelwork which allowedfor a lighter weight raft foundation solutionthat resulted in cost and time saving on theground work,” adds Craig. “Also, there is aspeed of construction which ultimatelymanifests itself into a saving on thecontract. The gym hall, for example, waserected in three weeks in full height CLTpanels which, when compared with a 12week masonry build gym hall, represents asignificant time saving.”The CLT/glulam fabrication went

through a rigorous design feedback processwith proposals presented by G-frameStructures in 3D Revit form. This allowedthe design team to review, comment andco-ordinate all aspects of the mainstructure, meaning that potential

co-ordination issues could be identifiedprior to fabrication, resulting in a relativelyswift and easy installation process.“It was an additional benefit that the

project teams were able to liaise with thetimber specialist, G-frame Structures, on all structural requirements. Having a ‘single point’ design responsibility prevents any interface falling between the gaps.” Comments Craig.The delivery of the five schools will

be benchmark reviewed to give anacross-the-board view of three differentmethods of construction: steel frame atHillside, glulam and CLT at Midmill andTurriff and glulam with steel at Uryside. Post occupancy reviews will also be undertaken as part of Aberdeenshire’smajor projects requirements.

Midmill Primary SchoolMidmill Primary School, located outside thetown of Kintore, provides space for 540pupils. The site sits within open farmlandwith a proposed housing masterplan toencompass the eastern edge of the town.The site slopes north down to the TuachBurn and there are two scheduled ancientmonuments in close proximity – MidmillLong Cairn and the standing stones atTuach Hill. The level changes across the site have

MIDMILL PRIMARY SCHOOL FACTFILE

Location: Kintore, AberdeenshireClient: Aberdeenshire CouncilArchitect: Aberdeenshire CouncilMain contractor:Morrison ConstructionEngineering: Furness Partnership /G-frame StructuresHybrid construction specialist:G-frame StructuresCompletion: 2016

EXPOSEDCLT has been left exposed throughout the buildings tocreate a warm and welcoming environment for pupilsand staff (Midmill Primary School shown above)Images courtesy of Morrison Construction

25MIDMILL & TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ABERDEENSHIRE


On external walls the

C


provided an opportunity to split theschool’s functions clearly into two separateareas. The teaching spaces sit at the upperlevel of the site and the more public spacesincluding main entrance, community areas,dining areas and gym hall are at the lowerlevel. The teaching level, where the pupilentrances are located, is single-storey andthe public interfacing area at the entranceof the site is two-storey, creating a levelscale across the building.

The new school accommodates 19 classrooms laid out in a two-wingedU-plan approach in order to meet theEducation Department’s requirement forground level access for all classrooms.This has allowed the creation of a centralcourtyard, which provides a ‘protected’outdoor space for pupils.

At the heart of the school is the entrancearea, dining space, library and stairs whichextend to form a central amphitheatre usedfor ad hoc performances and which acts as an extension to the dining space as wellas providing space for informal teaching.From this central space there are also visualconnections to the staff work-base, staffroom and the gym hall which gives thesense of being in the hub of the building.

CLT forms the library, entrance hall,games hall and the main amphitheatre. The material has been left exposed throughout which creates a warm andwelcoming environment for the pupils andstaff and specification of the material hasresulted in additional cost and time savingsto the project as there is no requirement for internal plasterboarding or decorationwhere CLT is used.

Externally, at lower level, the timberstructure is encased with locally-sourcedFyfestone brick of varying colours and

textures which cuts into the slope withplanters extending out to help the buildingmerge into its landscape.

The upper level’s key element is anenclosing wall which is horizontally clad,giving a sense of movement around thebuilding. The lesser elements are formed in simpler vertical format cladding withboldly coloured pupil entrances, recessed tocreate shelter. This allows each year groupto make a simple visual connection withtheir respective entrance. The entry colourscontinue internally which helps provide asense of orientation and also assists theteachers in managing year groups.

Turriff Primary SchoolTurriff Primary School is located in theagricultural lowlands of the north east ofScotland. The town sits on the banks of theriver Deveron which starts in the mountainsto the west of Huntly and joins the sea atBanff. Given the rural setting and the richhistory of agriculture in the surroundingarea, the decision was made early in thedesign process to use glulam and CLTwhich it was felt would emphasise thestructure and make a clear link to thenatural landscape.

In response to Aberdeenshire Council’sBrief, the design concept for the schoolfocuses on the creation of a large centralspace, which forms the school’s creative andsocial heart. The concept has been shapedthrough careful site analysis and maximisesthe benefits of the views of the surroundinglandscape as well as the slight change inlevel across the site.

From this initial concept plan, sectionsand elevations were developed for a firstclass modern education facility. The designincorporates the latest in sustainable

THIS PAGE & FACING PAGETurriff Primary SchoolImages courtesy of Morrison Construction

26 MIDMILL & TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ABERDEENSHIRE



technology whilst not forgetting the mostbasic of architectural principles such as thequality of light and space.The school is formed and orientated in

order to benefit from the maximum amountof daylight during the different schoolbreak times. The building is formed bypositioning two relatively simple classroomblocks at an oblique angle opening uptowards the view to the south. The spacebetween the teaching wings creates the‘heart’ of the building which features apitched roof and a glass wall to the souththat connects inside and out. This dynamicsingle-storey space is 11 metres at itshighest point to make the most of the spaceand the use of natural light.“We see this space as the focal point

for the school,” says architect ColinRobertson of Halliday Fraser Munro.“Pupils and staff will pass through thespace many times through the day at highor low level and will use the space fordifferent functions. It is a space for theentire Turriff community with opportunitiesfor a variety of activities.”The two-court gym hall is formed by CLT

which has been left exposed internally.Stora Enso CLT is bonded using formaldehyde-free and environmentallyfriendly adhesives which are suitable forinternal exposure and the material isincreasingly being recognised for its abilityto create an internal environment whichfeels warm and safe, particularly in schoolsand healthcare buildings.“From our point of view the exposed

timber finish within the hall was veryappealing and we are pleased with the

warm and natural feel of the completedbuilding which we believe is primarily dueto the exposure of the CLT and glulamframe.” Notes Colin. “Also CLT offered afaster, less labour intense constructionwhich was a big factor for AberdeenshireCouncil who had set a relatively tightprogramme for the works.” Even in its small details the design takes

advantage of the internal and externalconnection of the structural wood to the surrounding landscape. The designembraces the wood at its heart as the building expresses the structure throughout.Wherever possible, the structural timberelements have been left exposed anddetailed in a sensitive way such as settingback the adjacent plasterboard walls andcreating shadow gaps at the junctions.Working with Furness Partnership, G-frameStructures designed a bespoke connector for connecting the glulam portal to the roofpurlins so that the connections would beconcealed when viewed from inside thebuilding, having the appearance of neatlymitred joints. The connectors are made of16 mm steel which has been fabricated tothe angle of the roof and the front facade,covered with an over-strengthening steel‘gusset’ and fixed to the glulam portal fromabove and to the side with no physicalfixing from the underside.Glulam posts have been used within

the coupling detail for the timber window frames as a way of harmonisingthe material palette and reinforcing thesense of nature as pupils and staff look out towards the fields and tree lines in the distance. �

TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOL FACTFILE

Location: Turriff, AberdeenshireClient: Aberdeenshire CouncilArchitect: Halliday Fraser MunroeMain contractor: Morrison ConstructionEngineering: Furness Partnership /G-frame StructuresHybrid construction specialist: G-frame StructuresCompletion: 2017

27MIDMILL & TURRIFF PRIMARY SCHOOLS, ABERDEENSHIRE


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With thousands of new products onoffer from a wide range ofexhibitors, Timber Expo is one

of the leading events for architects. Exhibitors confirmed to attend alreadyinclude fastenings and fixings provider,Schmid Scrauben Hainfield; manufacturerand leader in fire containment technology,Intumescent Systems; Czech distributor ofplywood and packing, Orlimex; Latviansawmill, Vudlande Sawmill, which willshowcase the newest form of sawmilling

technology at the show, and GaujasKoks Ltd, which has 25 years of CLTmanufacturing experience and will operatetwo major sawmills with a total output of300,000m3 of finished products. In addition to a products showcase,

there is also plenty of scope to learn andpick up tips. This year, in collaborationwith TRADA, a leading authority dedicatedto informing best practice for design, specification and use of wood and timber inthe built environment, the Timber FocusTheatre will welcome speakers onto thestage to discuss how the industry is pushingthe boundaries on the use of wood, woodfor good health, technical timber, and also how designers are working directlywith fabricators. Students from the Emergent Technologies

and Design Programme at the ArchitecturalAssociation are also developing aninnovative timber installation. Co-ordinatedby TRADA and sponsored by HansonPlywood, the design derives from extensive research on plywood compositematerial systems, focused on the integrationof doubly curved plywood forms andtensile cables. Given the increasingly complex

regulatory framework around buildingmaterials, the Timber Expo has introduceda series of CPD seminars bringing togetherleading authorities to deliver advice andguidance on key issues including:• essential guidance on safety and fireprevention in buildings;

• guidance on sprinklers, fire doorsand dampening;

Timber Expo announces its return to Birmingham NEC from 10 – 12 October 2017. The show will cover a wide range of timber applications, from timber frame through toplywood, CLT and timber cladding, while exploring the latest developments across theindustry as well as products and innovations from around Europe

Timber Expo to address safetyand quality in buildings

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http://www.timber-expo.co.uk/

• latest advice on cladding and otherflammable building materials;

• health & safety – responsibilities in theconstruction process and protecting youand your employees;

• improving safety through technology.Offsite construction is a trend that growsstronger every year, and it seems inevitablethat the future of the building industry will include a significant element of prefabrication, offsite assembly, volumetricmodular building and automation. There will be a dedicated Offsite Theatre,which has also earned a special category at the exhibition awards. Jackie Maginnis, CEO of the Modular

and Portable Building Association (MPBA) commented: “Timber Expo 2017represents a massive opportunity for theMPBA to educate the wider industry in thesignificant advantages of volumetricmodular construction”.There are more exhibitors specialising in

this area of construction at the show thanany other, including Wernick Group,Portakabin, GTX Containex, Tufeco andModularize. It’s also likely that many of the breakout products to be found on

the Innovation Trail will be aimed at thisfast-developing area of constructionTimber Expo will seek to educate and

inform the wide variety of constructionprofessionals who will be visiting the showin the key design and build considerations,ongoing and future challenges and thequality of products and components that all contribute to the success of the industry.Seminars and talks will be given on

volumetric construction, with severalkeynote speeches concerning the residentialsector, plus insights into the training and skills shortages faced by the housebuilding industry.Nathan Garnett, Event Director at

Media 10, which runs the show, said: “Inaddition to showcasing the latest productsand innovations across the timber sector,the Timber Expo will deliver the latestinformation on safety and quality in buildings for all in the built environment,from architects, contractors, local housingauthorities, and developers. This is crucialin the current climate and only by comingtogether, through shared knowledge andlearning, will we be able to tackle the issuessurrounding building safety head on.”

For more information and free registration, pleasevisit: www.timber-expo.co.uk

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The UK market offers both solid andengineered wood flooring, howeverin some areas where climates are

harsher, only engineered products are soldby some companies.

Wood’s hygroscopic qualities cause it toexpand and contract as the levels ofmoisture in the air change, due to theseasons or the use of heating and airconditioning, for example. An engineeredwood product is produced by bondinglayers (generally of hardwood, softwood orply) together so that the grain runsperpendicularly; this makes it very difficultfor the plank to expand/contract, thusmaking it far more stable. The thickness ofthe top layer (otherwise know as the wearlayer or lamella) of oak, walnut, or otherchosen species can vary from a thin sliver ina veneered product right up to a similarthickness to that above the tongue in a solidwood plank: the thicker the wear layer themore often it may be re-sanded (usuallycited as a benefit of solid wood flooring).

Since they are more stable, engineeredplanks are far less likely to cup or gap, andit also means that much wider planks maybe produced, currently a trending aesthetic.Engineered planks offer quicker, andconsequently cheaper, methods of fitment.Furthermore, since less of the feature woodis used, it makes better use of these usuallyslower growing timbers.

Solid oak is far more likely to expand orcontract when subjected to changes in thesurrounding atmosphere. In the wintermonths we close the doors and turn theheating on which dries the air out and therelative humidity of the air reduces, this inturn means that your wood floor will losemoisture and as the moisture content of thefloor drops it will start to shrink and youcan expect gaps between boards. There areways to counteract this with humidifiersbut it’s not a solution many of us want toaccept. Conversely in the summer we opendoors, switch off the heating and the sundraws moisture from the ground. Thiscreates a higher relative humidity which

Russell Calder of Havwoods explains the benefits of engineered timberover solid timber for flooring

Engineering the perfect oor30



https://www.havwoods.co.uk/

enters our homes through the open doorsand windows and the wooden floor startsto absorb moisture and expand, if the floorabsorbs too much moisture the expansionwill be too great and the floor could start tolift. Most of this can be avoided with agood quality engineered floor.

Another benefit with a quality,engineered board is that most of them aresuitable for installation over underfloorheating. However there’s something more tounderstand in all this. Wood floors havedeveloped massively in the last 20 years Ihave been involved with them and thetechnology and research has brought manybenefits. Mills around the world haveinvested huge amounts or resource intodeveloping unique finishes such as handscraping, band sawing, UV cured hard waxoils, smoking, weathered, burnt and manyother processes to create special colours andtextures which can only be achieved in acontrolled factory environment. Some ofthese finishes are simply beautiful andothers are extremely hard wearing, eitherway if you were to sand the floor down youwould lose the finish. Also with anengineered board you can have a muchwider plank and still have a stable product

meaning that most of the special finishesyou see on the market today will be on anengineered floor.

Finally, there are two main reasons why awood floor will look tired or worn out.Number one is simply a massive footfallwithout good care and maintenance andthis is simply user error. A correctlymaintained floor will last for many yearsproviding the right finish is chosen in thefirst instance and the correct maintenanceprocedure is put in place. The secondreason is because the floor has moved afterinstallation and is no longer flat, thuscreating high spots, which are being walkedon more than the rest of the floor and thefloor is wearing irregularly. This rarelyhappens with an engineered floor as theyare more stable, helping them to stay flatand stay looking great.

Russell Calder is marketing director atHavwoods

Wood floors havedeveloped massively in thelast 20 years

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ADF10_Timber Supp -42_ADF Flatplan 25/09/2017 15:12 Page 31

https://www.havwoods.co.uk/

Some of history’s most iconic structures– from Westminster’s Great Hall to thearchitecture of Venice – make

extensive use of structural timber,presenting those who care for them withmultiple concerns such as damp-relateddeterioration and fungal attack. Today weare witnessing a renaissance in the materialsuse for load-bearing applications; thanks todevelopments in timber engineering, such ascross-laminated timber or CLT andglue-laminated members. Recent forecasts by Allied MarketResearch indicate that the engineered woodmarket is projected to grow by 24.8 percent by 2022. However the perennial‘Achilles heel’ of wood, i.e. damp, and theindustry mantra ‘to keep its feet dry’,remain as necessary today as it ever was.Through the centuries, most of the timberused in construction was literally hewn onsite – with tools as rudimentary as an adze(early axe) – while the UK industry todayuses the very latest advancements inmodern timber engineering. In addition toopen or closed panel, and even dual-framesystems steadily increasing in popularity forhousebuilding, solutions such as CLT andlaminated veneered lumber, or LVL, are allgaining traction for commercial work. While contemporary timber-basedsystems are generally supported by sophisticated design software, there remain very significant challenges forclients and their consultants in achieving an integrated, weatherproof and watertight structure. Basically, no matter how quickly andslickly the BIM model might indicate thatthe engineered timber elements will gotogether, involving an experiencedwaterproofing manufacturer at the outset

can save the project team significant delaysor other headaches on site. In fact, if the price premium for timbersystems is to be justified, the potentialprogramme advantages of a prefabricatedtimber solution must be properly exploited.And as part of that, the interfaces betweenthe timber elements and the supportingsub-structure must be waterproofed quicklyand effectively. So whether the frame members are being

located on a simple slab, or installed on topof some type of concrete undercroft, thebarriers to protect them from damp must fitwith the method statement as well as thegeometry of the interface. The pragmatic option is to engage with aspecialist capable of providing fullycompatible and dependable solutions;suited to the project’s specific technicaland other challenges. These might relateto site topography and ground conditions,as well as the timber elements’ size,loadings and proximity to other parts ofthe structure. The window of opportunityfor applying waterproofing systems canalso have considerable influence on theirfinal specification. There are significant similarities betweenemploying engineered timber and SFSconstruction, and an early decision needs tobe made on whether to create the water-proof barrier beneath the slab or above it.This is an illustration of why a specialistmanufacturer can provide crucial guidanceto the project delivery team.Reinforced concrete floors can be castacross seam-welded membranes fixed ontop of a blinding layer, though manygroundworkers prefer the user-friendlyinstallation characteristics of bentoniteimpregnated membranes, whose overlaps

Alex Massingham of RIW offers advice on thewaterproofing strategies needed to help meet increasinglypopular engineered timber buildings’ design lifespans

Safeguarding structural timberagainst damp

There remain verysigni�cant challenges forclients and consultants inachieving an integrated,weatherproof andwatertight structure

32



http://www.riw.co.uk/

do not require taping or welding. Usedhorizontally or vertically over the face ofpiled retaining walls, the bentonite materialswells on contact with groundwater and is effectively ‘self-healing’.

However, where the groundworkssolution features a series of pile caps andground beams, or possibly lift-pits,installing the waterproofing barrier beneaththe slab may become prohibitivelyproblematic. However, although creating araft foundation may consume a slightlyhigher volume of reinforced concrete thanindividual pads with a floor slab castbetween them, it permits a far morestraightforward waterproofing solution,likely to offer overall savings, whilesimplifying the construction sequence.

Atop the slab, the waterproofing strategywill normally use a combination ofliquid-applied and sheet membranes toachieve the best solution. This said, themost efficient designs will always considereach projects proposed constructionsequence and the building materialsselected. A rugged two-coat product is oftenused to create a strip along the line wherethe frame is to be erected: allowing resinanchors to be installed as required, butmaintaining the integrity of the

damp-proof membrane (DPM), before thesheet applied membrane overlaps the stripto complete the waterproofing barrierand/or gas protection.

In addition, project design anddelivery teams should also bear in mindthe likelihood that no matter how muchthought and effort has gone into the pre-construction period, majorcontracts almost always throw upunforeseen situations which have to beswiftly dealt with. This is where theexperience of the waterproofing specialistwill pay dividends, in being able to provideon-site assistance, including technical orinstallation advice and, often, customisedCAD drawings or hand sketches ofworkable details.

There is no doubt that, supported by itssustainability credentials and the work ofindustry bodies such as the Structural TimberAssociation, the use of engineered wood is setto increase still further. Accordingly, throughthe use of correctly specified and expertlyapplied waterproofing solutions, suchstructures will be able to perform for the fullextent of their design life.

Alex Massingham is national sales managerfor RIW

SLAB EDGE DETAILDetail of framing system constructed using CLT pluswaterproofing membranes

33PAGE HEADING

WWW.ARCHITECTSDATAFILE.CO.UKADF XXX 2017


http://www.riw.co.uk/

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Architects appreciate the look andfeel of high quality materials, butare naturally attracted to innovative

ideas, especially when they bring thepromised of enhanced performance. So it’sinteresting to see timber – the oldest ofmaterials for window frames – enjoyingsomething of a renaissance over the last fewyears. It’s not something that’s happened bychance, but the result of a determined effortby the industry to shake off earlierperformance issues, while at the same timereinforcing its sustainability credentials.

There has been a significant investmentin the quality and engineering of woodwindows in the UK in recent years. The days of site-finishing single-glazedredwood frames are long gone. Now, fully factory-finished double or triple-glazed windows are the norm, made from defect-free, laminated, slow-growth Scandinavian softwood thathas a 60-year planned service life(commonly twice as long as PVCu).

The industry has also listened to whatarchitects want. All Wood Window Alliance(WWA) members are BIM-ready and offerEnvironmental Product Declarations(EPDs), while most can provide Secured byDesign certification. Windows that areeasier to clean or redecorate from inside abuilding have been developed, both slidingsash and casement; as well as factoryfinishing in different colours, inside andout; and new, more durable products usingmodified wood such as Accoya, oraluminium-clad timber systems.

With the adoption of warm-edge spacers,low-emissivity glass and argon gas fill,double-glazed timber windows are nowwidely available with U-values of 1.2W/m2K, while triple-glazed windows canachieve 0.7 or even lower.

Environmental considerationsWith the spotlight on low carbonconstruction and sustainability, timber isenjoying a revival in the constructionindustry, and the benefits are just asapplicable when timber is used for windowframes in developments of any size andscale. All members of the WWA offerFSC or PEFC Chain of Custodycertification, and the organisation hasworked hard to provide the evidence toback up environmental claims being madeby window companies. Tony Pell, chairman of the WWA,

commented: “We worked with the BritishWoodworking Federation to complete afeasibility study for a typical wood windowframe against the Materials Healthelements of the stringent Cradle to CradleCertified standard.” The results show thatwood is a healthy option that can easily

As the industry searches for new alternatives to PVCu, Tony Pell of The Wood Windowalliance investigates the resurgence of timber window frames

Why the oldest window framematerial is the modern choice

U-VALUESDouble-glazed timber windows are now widelyavailable with U-values of 1.2 W/m2K

35



http://www.woodwindowalliance.com/


T

What’s more,c

meet the Silver level of the standard,making timber a good choice for any eco orconservation project. This study complemented a Life Cycle

Assessment conducted by Heriot-WattUniversity showing that all timber frame

types – engineered softwood, modifiedsoftwood and aluminium-clad timberwindow frames – made to WWA standardsare more environmentally-friendly thanPVCu in every end of life scenarioconsidered. The same study calculated thata standard wood window would save 160 kg CO2e when fitted instead of a PVCuwindow, making a potential saving of over1.5 tonnes of CO2e for the average homefrom the window frames alone.

About The Wood Window AllianceFounded and managed by its members,the WWA has more than 20 membersmanufacturing many different types oftimber windows and doors. It provides thereassurance of high quality, performanceand sustainability standards. All productsare third-party certified to meet BritishStandards, typically offering unbeatablewarranties, and all members are BIM ready,have FSC or PEFC Chain of Custodycertification and meet all buildingregulations including Part Q (Security).

Tony Pell is chairman of The WoodWindow Alliance

There has been asignificant investment inthe quality and engineeringof wood windows in the UK

36


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Architects wishing to create anatural, aesthetically pleasingappearance

for the exterior of buildings continue toturn to timber for a solution that is bothpractical and sustainable. Timber has a life expectancy of decades,

and there are undeniable environmentalbenefits of working with a natural,sustainably sourced material. It’s also veryeasy to work with, being lightweight andeasy to trim and fit when compared toalternatives like PVC. Unlike PVC, timber cladding is 100 per

cent recyclable, so it can be invaluable tobuilding projects that include tough targetsrelating to carbon neutrality. Projects thatrequire temporary cladding can turn totimber for a solution that can bedemounted and reused. What’s more,cladding acts as an insulator, reducing the building’s energy costs and mufflingoutside noise.In particular, exotic hardwoods and

durable softwoods remain a popular choice: western red cedar is the materialthat specifiers seem to return to time andagain, thanks to its lengthy life-cycle, generally knot-free straight grain andfamously rich colour.However, working with a natural

material also has its potential drawbacks as untreated timber has a tendency to warp, swell or shrink due to changes inmoisture. Western red cedar’s colour canalso vary from light pinkish tones toreddish brown.While chemical treatments can have

harmful environmental effects whichcounteract timber’s sustainability, thermally modified timber provides a solution to many of the potentialdrawbacks of untreated wood, increasingits durability without the use of chemicals.

Increased interest in these products has ledsuppliers to develop full thermally modifiedtimber cladding ranges.This method of treatment involves

heating timber to over 200°C with steamused to prevent cracking and burning.Once cooled, the wood is remoisturised toaround five per cent. The principle is simple: heating timber

removes most of the moisture, making it lesslikely to warp or swell. Importantly the treatment also removes resin from the

Howarth Timber’s Phil Barman looks at the developing trend for thermally modifiedtimber cladding and how it can circumvent potential issues while retaining environmental benefits

Thermally modi�ed timber:standing the test of time

Thermally modified timber provides a viablesolution to many of thepotential drawbacks ofuntreated wood

37



https://www.howarth-timber.co.uk/

timber, which means that the sugars which fungi could survive on are eradicatedthus reducing the potential for fungal attack.Thermally treated redwood and clear

pine products offer the same rich colour as western red cedar, but the non-chemicalheat treatment means the timber willweather more evenly, giving a betteraesthetic effect with significant costsavings. As both timbers are sourcedfrom Europe and are available with PEFCor FSC certification, there are clearsustainability benefits.The thermal treatment alters wood in

such a way that hardwood timbers such asfrake, which otherwise has little commer-cial value other than in plywood, aresuitable for cladding. Not only that, butthermally modified frake and ash claddingboth also benefit from a richer appearanceand more expensive feel – making themamong the most popular high-end claddingoptions in the past year. Installers report that thermally modified

timber is easier to cut with reduced wearon tools, and as the resin has been removedit’s lighter too, making installation easier.

Unlike chemical methods, the treatmentpenetrates all the way through the wood sothermally modified timber won’t be subjectto rot at the core.Thermally modified timber is unsuitable

for structural use as the treatment perma-nently alters the cell structure of the timber,making it brittle and reducing its tensilestrength. When fitting thermally modifiedtimber cladding, installers should followfitting instructions carefully, and it’s best touse pre-drilled boards and hand-nailboards into place to avoid splitting.Thermally modified timber should beinstalled using stainless steel fittings only.As a key component of cladding is

weatherproofing, thermally modifiedtimber’s increased weather resistance makesit a sound choice. Offering a host of benefits, easy

installation and unbeatable environmentalcredentials, thermally modified timber willbe part of the cladding landscape for a longtime to come.

Phil Barman is a hardwood timber specialist at Howarth Timber

Non-chemical heattreatment means the timberwill weather more evenly,giving a better aestheticeffect with significant cost savings

38



https://www.howarth-timber.co.uk/

When fitting thermally modified

t

39


Sioo are leaders in wood protection using silicate technology. We provide a

highly effective proven system to protect wood of all types. It gives long life

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the proven leach resistant �re protection treatment for timber and shinglesenhanced performance for exterior timber

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It is common knowledge amongst architects that external timber requires a protective treatment in order to

preserve the natural aesthetics anddurability of the wood. However, manyarchitects remain unaware of thedetrimental effects chemically enhancedtreatments can have on the environment.

The blend of aesthetic and practicalqualities makes wood a popular material tofeature in residential and commercialprojects. Professionals within the field willknow that although wood is a hardymaterial, it is also a hygroscopic materialand reacts constantly to the conditions ofits environment. When exposed to externalelements such as rain, wind, frost, UV-raysand surface dirt, wood requires anadditional treatment to provide thenecessary protection in order to maximisethe material’s chances of withstanding theunpredictable British weather.

Pressure-treating wood has been acommon method to preserve exteriortimber, however it is not the only solutionavailable, nor does it yield the best results.In recent years, following the worldwidedetermination to be more environmentallyaware, an increasing number of eco-friendlywood treatment solutions have made their way into the market. These offerprofessional architects an alternativesolution to chemically laden and potentiallyhazardous products.

But what are the key reasons why architects should ensure their projectsare eco-friendly?

Environmentally cautious clients In today’s environmentally conscioussociety, eco-friendly products are often atthe front of client’s minds. Whether yourclient is a homeowner, business owner or in the public sector, everyone favoursprofessionals who use and endorse environmentally friendly products, promoting a healthier environment for all.

Earth-friendly ingredientsMany architects are unaware ofthe hazardous processes and harmful

‘ingredients that are used to pressure-treat wood.

During the pressure-treating process,toxic substances are injected into the woodand subsequently released into the air. Once produced, these harmful substancescontinue to seep into the environment viasurface water and soil, potentially causingecological harm.

Environmentally friendly solutions are manufactured using only natural ingredients causing no harm to the local ecosystem.

Michael Nicholls of Organowood explores reasons why architects should ensure theirprojects are environmentally friendly and ‘effortlessly ecological’

Treating your timber right 41



http://www.organowood.co.uk/

Lasting protection that goes full circleAlthough pressure-treated wood ensureslasting protection against external elementsas designed, at the end of its life, the woodis then classed as ‘hazardous waste’ whichmeans that it cannot be recycled or reused.It is also not permitted that the wood beburnt or incinerated due to the toxic chemicals that may be released in the smokeand ashes. Pressure-treated wood has to bedisposed of in a controlled manner, causingunnecessary effort and landfill waste.

Sustainable treatment solutions providethe same lasting, effective protection butwithout the use of harmful heavy metals,biocides and solvents. As such, organicwood protection systems are 100 per centrecyclable and reusable.

Keeping it naturalAs well as being kind to the environmentand protecting exterior wood from harshelements, environmentally friendlysolutions are also known to compliment thenatural look of the timber. Eco-friendlyexterior wood protection ages wood with asilver-grey hue over time, enhancing thetimber’s natural aesthetic.

One of the most common pressure treatments uses chromated copper arsenate (CCA) which imparts an easilydistinguishable greenish tint into the timber.

The safe solutionArsenic, a chemical used in CCA treatments, is known to migrate to thesurface of the wood. As such, the chemicalcan be picked up on hands and unknow-ingly ingested by children and animals. Similarly, CCA-treated wood poses a riskfor professionals working with the timber.When cutting or sanding any chemicallytreated wood, it is advised to wear a dustmask, goggles, and gloves.

A 12 foot long 2x6 piece of CCA lumbercontains enough arsenic (around one ounce)to kill over 200 people.

Going ecoNatural treatment methods are a tried andtested ecological alternative to pressure-treated finishes. They are both aestheticallypleasing and sustainable, while beingsuitable for domestic and commercial use.

Michael Nicholls is sales manager atOrganowood

42


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Schiedel win thanks to IGNIS PROTECTThe award winning IGNIS PROTECT is a CEapproved wall pass thru system allowing fluepipes to pass through interior or exterior wallsmade of combustible materials. The uniquefeatures of this product has helped Schiedelwin the Flueing and Ventilation Product of theYear at the Hearth & Home exhibition inHarrogate when it was introduced to the

market Ignis Protect is suitable for both SW and DW connecting fluepipes passing through interior or exterior walls and is available inboth 90° and 45° versions. Please visit the website for more details.

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Brimstone Thermally Modified TimberBrimstone from Vastern Timber is the firstthermally modified British timber sourcedexclusively from native woodlands. Ideal forcladding, decking, external joinery and furniture,the Brimstone range includes thermally modifiedash, poplar and sycamore. The thermalmodification process reconfigures the wood todeliver exceptional stability, durability and

aesthetic uniformity that is resistant to water and fungus – the main cause of wood decay. The Brimstone range represents levels of sustainability for specifiers interested in timber products.

www.brimstonewood.co.uk

Gutex delivers a cool passivhaus home 32 Landsdowne Drive in Hackney isquirky two-level home with a topsy-turvylayout. The above ground section wasconstructed using cross-laminated timberwith a Pro-Clima airtight vapourmembrane and a triple layer of Gutexwood fibreboard insulation from

Ecological Building Systems. Following CLT assembly, the Pro-ClimaDA airtight weather resistant vapour layer was used to completelyencase the timber structure. For more information please visitEcological building systems’ website.

www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com

Leader in timber preservation technologyKoppers has a diverse range of highly effectiveproducts, from timber preservative systems, for use intimber frame and landscape sectors, to specialist fireretardants, stabilizing oils and pigment systems forenhancing the aesthetic qualities of timber such ascladding. Through cutting edge research, developmentand collaboration with industry stakeholders, Koppers

continues to lead the way in the development of next generationpreservative systems to enhance and extend the use of timber. Koppers products in conjunction with their other advance solutionsand services, make Koppers the preservative partner of choice.

[email protected]

Norbord is at the heart of the businessRecycled shipping containers in York arebeing converted into a community spaceto offer affordable spaces to start-upbusinesses. Providing an area where localshave an opportunity to enjoy the city,

Spark:York has turned to Norbord to help create a hub for socialbusinesses. Using 540 sheets of 18mm SterlingOSB3 to clad the insideof the containers and 342 sheets of CaberShieldPlus to cover thefloors, Spark:York aims to create an aesthetically pleasing, practicalspace. The durability, versatility and clean, grey finish ofCabershieldPlus is a perfect fit for the community project.

www.norbord.co.uk

Affordable window systemJoinery manufacturers andfabricators looking for a low cost,aluminium clad timber windowsystem, should visit the AluWood

Windows stand, T438 at Timber Expo. AluWood’s aluminium cladtimber window and door system is easy-to-manufacture and it offersthe strength of aluminium on the outside and warmth of timber onthe inside. The flush casement system can be top or side hung, as wellas fully reversible. With the durability of aluminium on the outsideand the insulating benefits of timber on the inside, the system is a verypopular choice commercial projects such as hotels or offices.

01955 641303 www.aluwoodwindows.co.uk

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