6 minute read
Landscaping & External Works
PLASWOOD PROVIDES BUILDING SOLUTION FOR RAINFOREST RESTORATION PROJECT
SPECIALIST PLASTIC LUMBER FROM PLASWOOD, A BRAND OF BERRY GLOBAL, IS PROVING TO BE AN IDEAL BUILDING MATERIAL FOR A MAJOR ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAMME IN INDONESIA
Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) comprises 150,693 ha of peat swamp forest, situated in two landscapes on Sumatra’s eastern coastline. Operating under five ecosystem restoration concessions (ERCs) issued by the Indonesian government for a 60-year period, the RER restoration area is about the size of London. The purpose of an ERC is to restore a degraded forest to a balanced condition, and to ensure that it can provide ecosystem services such as water storage and supply, carbon storage, fisheries and non-timber forest products.
Plaswood lumber, made from recycled plastic, is being used in the construction of pontoons, jetties, bridges and platforms. These will allow the research and conservation teams access to the remotest areas of RER, which comprise degraded tropical peat swamp forest on the Kampar Peninsula and Padang Island in Riau Province, Sumatra. Plaswood is a particularly suitable building solution for the wet and swampy environments of a tropical rainforest. The material’s waterproof properties and longevity mean that it will not rot or degrade once the structures have been built. As a result, there will be no need to disturb the surrounding area again to replace decaying materials as would be the case if traditional timber had been selected.
Brad Sanders, Operation Head at Restorasi Ecosistem Riau said: “Plaswood has proven itself very well in that it remains strong, unweathered, and essentially unnoticed by visitors as being plastic; indeed, they are quite surprised to learn it is recycled plastic.”
The next phase of the project involving Plaswood will be the construction of elevated platforms in remote areas to provide outposts for safari tents and research camps.
“This is a very important and ambitious project, and one of which we are all proud to be part,” commented Katherine Lorek-Wallace, General Manager at Plaswood. “Considering the scope of the challenge and the scale of the task of restoring and protecting this versatile landscape, the use of Plaswood sustainable building materials that are long-lasting, durable and safe for the rainforest environment is a logical choice. Unlike timber, Plaswood will not rot and deteriorate with time, which means that this diverse ecosystem will not need to be disturbed again to carry out replacement and maintenance works.”
To learn more about the project visit www.rekoforest.org/
To find out more about Plaswood sustainable materials visit www.plaswood.eco
PANORAMIC ROOFTOP DECK DECORATES SKYLINE IN WASHINGTON DC
BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED APARTMENT ROOFTOP TERRACE COMPLETED WITH SUSTAINABLE KEBONY WOOD
Located nearby the epicentre of Washington DC’s H Street, the Apollo Apartments have been thoughtfully designed to capture the excitement of the early 20th Century Apollo Theatre, located on the same site, with modern amenities befitting one of the city’s most dynamic neighbourhoods. Global leader in the production of sustainably modified wood, Kebony was selected for one of the building’s most striking features, its multi-faceted rooftop deck, sat atop the residential building, which houses more than 350 apartments.
Responsible for creating a beautiful outdoor living environment, the landscaped deck offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the city, a multi-use pool/fountain, a movie screen with lawn seating, a contemporary pergola and several stylish Kebony benches which adorn the sensitively designed rooftop space.
Finding the right material for the ambitious rooftop project led Insight Property Group and Landscape Architecture Bureau to Kebony, which was ultimately selected due to its natural aesthetic, impressive durability and award-winning sustainability credentials. Kebony’s durability and need for extremely minimal maintenance made it the perfect choice for the project, which is exposed to the elements all year round, with highs of up to 34° C in the summer and lows of -18°C in the winter.
Developed in Norway, Kebony’s revolutionary technology is an environmentally friendly process, which modifies sustainably sourced softwoods by strengthening the wood with furfuryl alcohol - an agricultural by-product. By polymerising the wood’s cell wall, the softwoods permanently take on the attributes of tropical hardwood including high durability, hardness and dimensional stability.
Brendan Whitsitt, Director of Development of Insight Property Group, said, “We are delighted with the impressive rooftop space and are pleased to have worked with fantastic partners and products to help realise the vision. For the decking, we were looking for a natural material that would not require any real maintenance or regular touch-ups and were very pleased to have discovered Kebony wood, which only requires normal cleaning and no additional processing.”
Commenting on the use of Kebony at the Apollo Apartments, Payam Ostovar, PLA, ASLA, at Washington-based Landscape Architecture Bureau added, “The decking is performing extremely well since construction completed. One of the best benefits we have noticed the most, is that being a pool deck, it is far cooler than the adjacent concrete pavers.”
www.kebony.com
TREX COMPOSITE DECKING IDEAL FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
When it comes to outdoor design, a great deck can add valuable space and a unique element to a project. From sprawling gardens and luxury condominiums to restaurant patios and storefronts, clients are thinking outside the box and demanding decking materials that are made to last without compromising aesthetics. Brits no longer feel confined to a basic square space – regardless of the project size or budget. Remodelers, designers and architects report increased interest from clients in decks with multiple levels, accent walls, curves and cantilevers.
Engineered to deliver superior durability, sustainability, easy maintenance and lasting beauty, Trex composite decking offers incredible design flexibility that allows truly customized projects.
While aesthetics drive many deck-building decisions, clients are just as interested in performance. Unlike timber, Trex composite decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mould – and won’t rot, warp, crack or splinter. The boards stand up to severe weather, heavy foot traffic and everyday mishaps like wet planter pots and spilled food. No sanding, oiling or painting is required, and just simple soap-and-water cleanings keep the deck looking like new for decades.
Featuring high-definition grain patterns and rich, saturated colours, Trex decking offerings are nearly indistinguishable from timber textures. Available in a wider variety of colour options, composite boards range from deep earth tones to spicy reds and pristine greys, including tropically-inspired boards that feature the distinct streaked look of exotic hardwoods.
No matter what colour is installed, a Trex deck is always green – offering an eco-friendly choice that clients can feel good about. The entire decking portfolio is manufactured using more than 95% recycled content, including reclaimed industrial timber scraps and recycled plastic from common items such as shopping bags, newspaper sleeves and shrink wrap. In fact, Trex has never cut down a tree to make any of its products.
When it comes to installation, it’s just as simple as building with timber, and Trex makes it even easier with its Hideaway® Secret Fixing System. Designed specifically to meet demand for increased ease and speed of assembly, the system has a straightforward design that installs between grooved-edge boards, fastening them to the joists with no visible screw heads on the surface. This precision also creates perfectly consistent spacing between the boards for a flawless finish.
Trex products have proven ideal for both commercial and residential applications, ranging from hospitality and retail to residential and community projects that call for premium performance with low-maintenance ease and a modern lifestyle aesthetic.
To learn more about Trex composite decking and other outdoor living products, visit uk.trex.com.
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