Timber

CAREFULLY-CRAFTED EUROPEAN OAK BRINGS TACTILE WARMTH TO UPLIFTING NEW LIBRARY

The Magdalene College Library at Cambridge University has won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize for 2022, heavily featuring Florian-machined European oak and Latham’s Woodex.

Built alongside the Grade I Listed Pepys Library, the new library is the first substantial addition to the main site in over 50 years.

The library design is based upon an arrangement of simple brick volumes with timber windows and pitched roofs echoing the gabled architecture of the existing college.

Inside, the building’s structure is clear to see. Glulam beams support crosslaminated timber floor slabs, which are supported on load-bearing brick piers. The architect’s intention was for all the key features to appear as an interwoven set of elements. Cambridge-based bespoke joinery firm Wedd Joinery was commissioned to manufacture all the furniture within the library including bookcases, desks and various other pieces. The specification was for solid timber, much to the joinery company’s delight, with Magdalene College wanting to build something for the future generation.

Wedd chose to work with Florianmachined European oak on the advice of timber and materials supplier, James Latham. The team recommended the product due to its high-quality finish and strong performance.

Lathams’ extensive network and key supplier relationships provided a further advantage, as it was able to fulfil the specification and meet the demand for such a large order (3000 linear metres in total).

“We love working hand in hand with our customers, to help them to find the materials that are the right fit for their projects,” said Adrian Roker at Lathams. “It has been amazing to watch this project come to life, with one of our highestperforming products being used to such an exceptional standard.”

In addition to the solid lumber used in the library’s furniture, Lathams also recommended Woodex engineered Florian European oak for the external doors and windows. This ensured visual and stylistic consistency throughout the space, whilst harnessing engineered timber’s higher thermal-performance qualities and moisture and warping resistance, crucial for this type of application.

This highly-specialised work was carried out by Piper Joinery, which has a longstanding reputation for combining skill with agility. Brought onto the project by Wedd, Piper Joinery approached the task with its signature precision and attention to detail to achieve a seamless finish.

Simon Lock, Commercial Director at Wedd Joinery, said: “We have worked with Lathams for over 50 years. They will always be one of the companies we go to at the early stage of a project involving solid timber. At the end, it came down to the important balance of service, quality and price.

“I genuinely believe that a solid oak project on this scale is a once-in-alifetime opportunity and we are delighted to have been involved in it. The fact that we were part of the team that was recognised so highly for that work really is the icing on the cake.”

Royston Cobb, Managing Director at Piper Joinery, adds: “The Magdalene College Library presented the perfect opportunity for our team to showcase their considerable craftsmanship, which can be observed in the finesse of the joinery on the windows and doors. Working alongside some of the best in the design and build sector, as well as with such a high-quality material, was a great experience all round and the results speak for themselves.”  www.lathamtimber.co.uk