STRUCTURAL TIMBER

The latest in structural timber building design and technologies

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B&K HYBRID SOLUTIONS

THE RIGHT MATERIAL IN THE RIGHT PLACE WITH HYBRID DESIGN

P26

Structural Timber Awards

The 2023 shortlist reveals the huge strength and depth of those working in timber construction

P38

Designing Simplicity

A collaborative approach helped design out many complexities in the structure of ‘Paradise’

P42

Artificial Intelligence

AI and the first program to automate timber floor design offers limitless opportunities

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FRONT COVER: B&K Hybrid Solutions

Welcome to the summer issue of Structural Timber Magazine. Inside you will find the allimportant shortlist for the Structural Timber Awards 2023 plus further evidence that timber is the number one mainstream sustainable building material.

Amazingly, it is that time of the year again and the judges of the Structural Timber Awards recently completed their deliberations to whittle down over 200 entries to a select group going above and beyond the norm.

PUBLISHER: Structural TImber Magazine is produced and published by Structural Timber Media Ltd, 101 Longden Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 9PS T: 01743 290001 of the building design from the start. A collaborative philosophy delivers a net zero approach and brings a ‘warmth and delight to a space that other materials often miss.’ In keeping with the essentials of circularity, its innovative detailing and connections means the building can be deconstructed and reformatted in the future.

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DISCLAIMER: The content of Structural Timber Magazine does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or publishers and are the views of its contributors and advertisers. The digital edition may include hyperlinks to third-party content, advertising, or websites, provided for the sake of convenience and interest. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising from information in this publication and do not endorse any advertising or products available from external sources. The publisher does not accept any liability of any loss arising from the late appearance or non-publication of any advertisement. Content including images and illustrations supplied by third parties are accepted in good faith and the publishers expect third parties to have obtained appropriate permissions, consents, licences or otherwise. The publisher does not accept any liability or any loss arising in the absence of these permissions for material used in both physical and digital editions. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. All rights reserved.

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Each year is an eye opener for all concerned at the architectural and engineering excellence that takes place every day across the UK’s built environment. All those that have been tipped as possible winners are inside. Remember it is always a big night out and a soiree to remember, so earmark 4 October 2023 at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham in your diaries. Tickets and tables are close to sell out as I type, so don’t miss out. You can book via the Awards website.

Of special mention this issue are two lead pieces dealing with collaborative effort and the inexorable advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Joe Jack Williams and Andrew Abraham from FCBStudios with Alex Lynes at Webb Yates, take us on a journey to Paradise – the new workplace development by Bywater. Here they have embarked on a complex timber design solution that put wellbeing and sustainability at the forefront

PRINTED ON: FSC Mix paper by Buxton Press AUTOMATIC

There is no escaping AI. The publicity surrounding its effects – both positive and negative – has gathered pace over recent months. For a taste of what it can do for the timber designer, Dr Luke Whale, Technical Director at DAISY AI reveals how the team has designed the first program to automate timber floor design using AI. This can find an optimal floorplan design for any type of timber floor using ‘genetic programming’ to give limitless opportunities – and does not involve a machine-led cyber takeover of human activity.

Many thanks to all our contributors, advertisers and supporters for their help this issue, it is always genuinely appreciated.

Gary Ramsay | Consultant Editor

E: gary.ramsay@structuraltimbermagazine.co.uk