Timber Construction Magazine Issue 6 Winter 2018

06 WINTER 2018 www.timbermedia.co.uk ISSN 2515–8686 (PRINT)

PUTTING WOOD CENTRE STAGE Revealing the winners of the Wood Awards 2018 / 12 CONSTRUCTING COLLABORATION

INNOVATIVE IDEAS

How Business Information Modelling (BIM) is increasing collaboration / 20

A range of pioneering ideas were showcased at this year’s Timber Expo / 23

01582 592707

CONTENTS WINTER 2018 02

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK 02 NEWS

11

The latest news from the sector including a royal visit, a new factory for Kebony and a merger which has created the UK’s largest independent timber distribution company.

11 INTERVIEW: JEREMY ENGLISH, SÖDRA

GB & Ireland sales director Jeremy English talks about why Södra is dipping its toe into the CLT market.

12

12 COVER STORY: WOOD AWARDS 2018

20

Showcasing the very best in architecture and product design in the world’s only naturally sustainable material. (Front cover image © Adam Scott, Royal Academy of Music Theatre).

20 BIM

Adrian Malleson, head of research, analysis and forecasting at NBS, talks about how Building Information Modelling (BIM) is increasing collaboration in the construction sector.

23

26

23 REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO

The theme for this year’s UK Construction Week, ‘Future of Construction’ was evident throughout Timber Expo with a range of innovative organisations showcasing pioneering ideas.

26 FOCUS ON: GLULAM

The new Macallan distillery features a striking 207-metre glulam roof with over 380,000 individual components and 1,750 glulam beams.

29

35 29 TIMBER IN RETAIL/LEISURE

Timber’s relaxing properties make it the ideal material for the buildings in which we spend our free time. We focus on leisure buildings around the world that are showcasing wood.

35 FABRIC FIRST

Malcolm Thomson, sales director at Scotframe, explains why Fabric First is the best way to ‘build in’ sustainability.

EDITOR Michelle Gordon  michelle.gordon@timbermedia.co.uk

SALES DIRECTOR Terry Hanlon  terry.hanlon@timbermedia.co.uk  01925 270093

DESIGN Pete Awad  artwork@timbermedia.co.uk

Registered address: 73 Cross Lane, Newton-Le-Willows, Merseyside WA12 9QA Registered in England and Wales. Company Number 10839173. VAT registration number 271 5498 81

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

KEBONY OPENS NEWS FACTORY IN BELGIUM Kebony has opened a factory in Belgium, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the company, which has experienced continued annual growth with international sales rising by an average of 30% year-on-year for the last seven years.

The new production site, which was officially opened by Philippe Muyters, Flemish Minister for Work, Economy, Innovation and Sports, will enable the company to double its annual production capacity to 20,000m³ of Kebony Clear wood. Its original factory in Norway will continue to specialise in the production of Kebony Character wood whilst maintaining its status as the company’s research and technology hub.

Bruno Van den Branden, CEO at Kebony said: “The opening of our second factory is a momentous occasion in Kebony’s history and will be vital to our continued growth for many years to

Kebony factory, Belgium © Jack Tillmans

come. We are delighted to be in a position where we can significantly increase our production Construction of the facility was delivered

support Kebony’s plans to accelerate sales in

which will only serve to help us to continue

within budget, with funding supplied by European

the coming years and will act as a catalyst for

positively influencing the sustainable construction

investors including the Flemish investment

significant international expansion in key central

industry worldwide.”

company PMV and SFPI-FPIM. The factory will

European markets like Germany or France.

capacity of environmentally-friendly products,

Scotts of Thrapston hands over the keys to second pavilion for Oxfordshire cricket club

A Northamptonshire company has handed over the keys to a much-anticipated second pavilion which marks a historic turning point for a long-established cricket club located near Banbury. Scotts of Thrapston, specialists in the manufacture and installation of bespoke timber framed buildings, is behind the new pavilion which has been created for Cropredy Cricket Club.

Working closely with consulting structural engineers, M&E engineers and energy assessors, Scotts has produced a high-performing tailor-made building. The club worked closely with Scotts’ in-house architect and design manager, Bryn Lee, to create a building that will meet all the club’s future needs.

He said: “Scotts of Thrapston has designed, engineered, manufactured and installed the pavilion providing

Scotts of Thrapston Ltd

a club room, with kitchen and bar facilities, new changing rooms with showers, an umpire and officials’ changing room and large raised verandah for watching the game in play. We are delighted to hand over the keys to a project that will bring a real benefit to the local community.”

The building is designed as a ‘hybrid’, using a traditional panelised timber frame with a cantilevered glulam beam supporting the main roof structure in the club room, to create a natural aesthetic and volume. The superstructure was manufactured in-house at Scotts’ factory in Thrapston and was delivered to the Cropredy grounds in kit form being craned into place on site. All machining and plate connections were carried out inhouse by Scotts’ joiners to millimetre accuracy prior to assembly.

 Bridge Street, Thrapston, Northamptonshire NN14 4LR  info@scottsofthrapston.co.uk  01832 732366  www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk

TIMBER FRAME HOMES FOR CARDIFF BAY DEVELOPMENT

Taylor Lane Timber Frame’s standard 140mm timber frame system has been used to build 32 two and three-storey houses in Cardiff Bay. Schooner Way, a development by Morganstone, working in partnership with Cardiff Community Housing, also comprises a light steel frame apartment block.

Taylor Lane was appointed through competitive tender to manufacture and erect a timber frame system comprising sole plates, floor and wall panels, and roof trusses for the houses, which were completed in 20 weeks.

They were erected by an approved Taylor Lane sub-contractor and, in accordance with the contract, quiet deliveries were scheduled, to reduce noise and disturbance in the largely residential area.

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

MERGER CREATES UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT TIMBER DISTRIBUTION COMPANY Arnold Laver & Co Limited, the timber division of Arnold Laver Holdings Limited, has merged with The National Timber Group, a collective of marketleading added-value timber distribution companies, creating the largest independent timber distribution company in the UK. The new, enlarged group, has a combined revenue of almost £250 million, 52 distribution and processing sites extending from the north of Scotland to London and the South West and over 1,300 employees.

It will be led by Rob Barclay, group chief executive, who said that the merger will allow the group to extend its presence nationwide and pursue further growth.

The group will have a division, headquarted in Grangemouth and led by Alex McLeod managing director, Scotland; one headquartered in Sheffield led by the Arnold Laver management team and a third headquartered in Northallerton and

property and leisure interests. Owners Andrew Laver and Mark Bower will remain

led by Nick Kershaw, managing director.

in the business to ensure an effective handover and a smooth transition.

The merger was prompted by shareholders’ decision to focus on their existing

“Once we had taken the decision to consolidate our interests, our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help our timber business

SCOTFRAME AIMS TO INCREASE MARKET SHARE IN ENGLAND WITH APPOINTMENT

to fulfil its potential,” said Laver.

The transaction, supported by further investment from Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP, was led by investment director Neil McGill, who added: “The UK timber market remains highly fragmented and offers many opportunities for well organised, high-quality businesses such as The National Timber Group and Arnold Laver. As investors, we have been working hard to find opportunities to scale our timber interests rapidly, so we are delighted to be able to support this partnership.

We believe we now have a great platform for further growth under the leadership of an exceptional management team.”

Offsite timber frame specialist Scotframe has appointed Daniel Wilson as business development manager at its new office within the National Self Build and Renovation Centre (NSBRC), Swindon.

He will focus on developing

PEFC: Your assurance of responsibly sourced timber

the recently launched branch, helping Scotframe, which is headquartered in Inverurie, to push forward on its plans to target a larger share of the English self-build housing market.

Over the last eight years Wilson has worked on numerous award-winning, large-scale projects

walkway and The Wolfson Tree Management Centre and previous roles include sales design manager at timber frame company Carpenter Oak & Woodland.

Malcolm Thomson, sales director at Scotframe said: “We’re pleased to have Daniel on board and with his experience in the timber frame sector, we think he will be a great addition to our team. Currently Scotland leads the way in timber frame construction, with 83% of new build homes in Scotland

Designing the Future with Sustainable Timber Ask your suppliers for PEFC-certified wood products

using timber frame, compared to just 23% in England. However, the market share for timber construction in England is steadily rising and Daniel will play an important role in developing Scotframe’s offering south of the border.”

Scotframe was acquired by Saint-Gobain in November last year, a move

Choose PEFC Discover more at www.pefc.co.uk

Caring for our forests globally and locally

PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

Award 2018 and RIBA National Award 2018; The Eden Project canopy

Photos: Oporkka/iStock, Fausto Franzosi/PEFC Italy

including The Department Store, Brixton, which won the RIBA London

which it believes will help accelerate its expansion into English markets.

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH POLITICIANS TO DISCUSS INDUSTRY CHALLENGES construction, furniture, packaging and transport.

I hope that our contribution of the expert group will help to address some of the current issues and preserve the longevity of the sector.”

Both the working group and APPG are chaired

by Stirling MP, Stephen Kerr. Other group members include Rt Hon Brian Wilson, former UK Energy Minister and now member of the UK Board of Trade; George McRobbie, managing director of Tillhill Forestry; Ian Ross, former chairman of

Pictured rom left to right: Rt Hon Brian Wilson, former UK Energy Minister and now member of the UK Board of Trade; George McRobbie, managing director of Tillhill Forestry; Alastair Kerr, director general of the Wood Panel industries Federation (WPIF); Stephen Kerr, MP for Stirling; Steve Roebuck, director EHS at Norbord; Ian Ross, former chairman of Scottish National Heritage and chartered forester and John Paterson, director at EGGER Forestry

An expert working group set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Wood

Scottish National Heritage and chartered forester; David Sulman, executive director of the United Kingdom Forest Products Association (UKFPA).

inform members in their discussions with ministers.

Alastair Kerr, director general of the Wood

Industry representatives Steve Roebuck, director EHS at Norbord; John Paterson, director

Panel Industry and industry members, Norbord,

Panel Industries Federation (WPIF), which

at EGGER Forestry, and Chris Emery, timber

Kronospan and Egger, met to discuss the

comprises Norbord, EGGER and Kronospan, said:

procurement manager at Kronospan were invited

challenges faced by the wood panel sector.

“Maintaining a positive wood supply balance

to give evidence.

It discussed challenges resulting from the lack

The wood panel manufacturing sector

throughout the year is crucial to members’

of security of domestic wood supply; the impact

businesses, so it’s important that we’re involved

currently uses the equivalent of 25% of the 11

of the biomass industry on the availability of wood

in discussions around the supply issues facing

million tons of wood delivered from UK forestry

to work with; and how the industry will meet UK

the sector. The expert group will develop

every year, with WPIF members suppling

demand for wood panel products post-Brexit.

policy proposals that will help to support the

approximately 65% of the total UK annual

sector and the industries it feeds into, including

consumption of wood-based panels.

A report will be prepared for the APPG to

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WINTER 2018

The future of Materials @FuturebuildNow

Introducing Futurebuild 2019 The new Materials Hub at Futurebuild 2019 will showcase the latest innovations and emerging new products from all aspects of materials, including concrete, timber, steel and masonry. A dedicated seminar theatre will provide visitors to this Hub with the opportunity to learn about the latest research emerging from this sector.

The TRADA Bookshop will give construction professionals the opportunity to view the work created as part of the TRADA University Challenge competition, and a place to read the latest timber publications. The Future of Concrete, in collaboration with The Concrete Centre, will showcase the

/FuturebuildNow

/FuturebuildNow

very best in concrete design, its usage in construction and its sustainability credentials, whilst Natural Building UK will bring together forwardthinking organisations, who will provide educational talks and product demonstrations on natural material usage within construction.

Register for free today www.futurebuild.co.uk/register

/FuturebuildNow

FuturebuildNow

In partnership with

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

PARTNERSHIP TO BETTER UNDERSTAND SITE PRODUCTIVITY Stewart Milne Group has teamed up with the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) to better understand and measure current site productivity, downtime and waste.

“Site productivity is very important to the growth plans of the Stewart Milne Group and the future efficiency of our housing

Bishopton Glasgow

delivery approach,” said Stewart Dalgarno, director of product development at Stewart Milne Group.

others in the sector,” said Dalgarno. “Improved productivity is good news for

CSIC and GCU also have a long-term ambition of developing a user-friendly way for other housebuilders to measure productivity on the

the industry, the end customer and the economy as a whole.”

CSIC is funding the work of a research team from the Department of

construction site, improving efficiency right across the sector.

Improving productivity could drive significant gains for the Scottish

Construction and Surveying at GCU to carry out daily site monitoring, comparing

economy but existing methods of measuring productivity on a construction

existing timber frame construction methods with more advanced crane-erected

site are relatively complex, relying on time and motion studies and data

offsite timber frame system. Detailed data, photo and video evidence is being

analysis. This project will gather data and better understand the site

captured and analysed, to unlock improvements that reduce material waste and

measurement process and means to analyse information, in order to improve

labour downtime and increase productivity from a more advanced offsite timber

Stewart Milne Group’s productivity. It will also inform a future simplified

frame system, building a strong business case for change.

approach and methodology that can be used by housebuilders large and small,

Lucy Black, head of business relationships at CSIC said: “As part of CSIC and Scottish Enterprise’s “Profit Through Productivity” Campaign for the construction

to help improve efficiency levels and business performance.

“We have carried out previous research on our sites, identifying

sector, the valuable productivity information, practices and processes will be

productivity opportunities and developed improved products and systems

shared across the wider housebuilding sector over the next year, in order to

to exploit this. This project should allow us to take this to the next level, and

improve overall efficiencies. Other housebuilders will also have the opportunity to

also to share the findings, monitoring and benchmark our methodology with

benefit from CSIC funding to support the implementation of the new approach.”

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It’s more beautiful, harder and takes preservative more readily.

No wonder it’s America’s favourite.”

Chris Lowe, Managing Director, The Manchester Deck Company

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WINTER 2018

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Diversity & Inclusion in UK Construction, Engineering & Housing 5th June 2019, The Hilton, Manchester

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WINTER 2018

NEWS

INITIATIVE ENCOURAGES GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER ON DAME JUDITH’S RECOMMENDATIONS culture change throughout the industry, with responsibilities clearly defined at every stage of a building’s lifecycle.

“Much remains to be done to bring the construction industry up to the standards of other industries in terms of accountability, transparency and record keeping,” she said. “Don’t tinker, don’t tweak, it has to be fundamental.”

Paul Everall, LABC chief executive said: “The LABC and the BBA share the same outlook and are determined to make a difference in our industry. But we’re not waiting, we’re getting on with building a safer future together – right now. The 100% Hackitt initiative is a space for everyone who wants to see systemic change in the construction industry and I hope the whole industry gets behind it.”

Pictured (from left): BBA chief executive Claire Curtis-Thomas, LABC deputy managing director Lorna Stimpson, Dame Judith Hackitt, Jim Clark, Policy Connect

“Dame Judith’s review of building regulations and fire safety showed systemic change is required within our industry,” said Claire Curtis-Thomas, BBA chief executive. “Her report came with a warning that cherry-picking

An industry initiative to encourage the government to deliver all of the

recommendations would compromise their overall effectiveness and it is this

recommendations contained within Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review

‘pick and mix’ approach that the BBA and LABC are urging the government to

of Building Regulations and Fire Safety has been launched at Westminster by

avoid by accepting the recommendations in full.”

Local Authority Building Control (LABC) and the British Board of Agrément (BBA).

They have united to bring focus to industry calls for a full adoption of Dame Judith’s recommendations with 100% Hackitt which pushes for an Early

The construction industry wants to drive change, she said, and shifts in practices and working relationships have been voluntarily introduced by many but it needs government backing to ensure it happens across the board.

“Many of the recommendations fall to government rather than industry,” she

Day Motion debate in the House of Commons.

It unites those who wish to see cultural change in the construction industry,

added. “We are doing our bit and it now needs to do its bit and if this needs new

via a forum which provides opportunities to discuss cross-discipline issues whilst

regulation or even legislation it will have our backing and the backing of those who

keeping pressure on ministers to adopt all of the review’s recommendations.

recognise that business as usual is not an option any of us want to consider.”

Speaking at the launch, Dame Judith said there was ‘massive need’ for

For more information visit: www.100-hackitt.co.uk

ROYAL VISITOR MARKS ONE YEAR OF PRODUCTION Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, visited

He said: “It’s a privilege to be able to see how

Norbord’s Inverness factory to commemorate

manufacturing is growing and becoming more

a year since the first board of oriented strand

important in this part of the world, so thank you

board (SterlingOSB Zero) was produced on the

very much indeed for this opportunity.”

factory’s new continuous press system – part of a £95m expansion and reinvestment process.

A plaque made from OSB was unveiled to commemorate the occasion and the Duke toured the

HRH also spoke to apprentices about their on-the-job training as part of Norbord’s apprenticeship programme.

The investment in the Morayhill plant,

mill, accompanied by Jerry Jones, general manager,

which included a £12m development grant from

Mark Reilly, production manager and Steve McTaggart,

Highlands and Islands Enterprise, will see the

technical manager, who talked through the production

volume of the SterlingOSB production almost

process and the significance of the expansion.

double once it is working at full capacity.

RESTRUCTURE FOR WOOD PROTECTION ASSOCIATION The Wood Protection Association (WPA)

all external activities, technical and regulatory

wood protection expertise to work as the

board has been reorganised in a bid to

affairs, as well as being the association’s

association’s new standards and quality director.

strengthen its leadership team, following a

spokesman.

review of the association’s ability to serve a growing demand for its services and expertise.

Under the new structure, which came

Janet Sycamore, who joined the WPA board

Former director of operations and company

in July, became company secretary, responsible

secretary Steve Young became chairman of the

for member and management services

WPA board with executive responsibility for

supported by Caroline Hewison.

Steve Young said that the interests of WPA

into effect on 1 October, Gordon Ewbank

corporate governance, reputation management

became chief executive officer, heading up the

and communications strategy. Former WPA

members lay at the heart of the board’s decision

leadership team, with overall responsibility for

chairman Chris Coggins has put his unrivalled

to reorganise and strengthen its executive team.

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WINTER 2018

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INTERVIEW: SÖDRA

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE Swedish forestry group Södra will begin production of cross-laminated timber (CLT) next year. Michelle Gordon caught up with its GB & Ireland sales director Jeremy English to talk about its plans to move into the new market

I

nternational forestry industry group Södra grew out of a co-operative of forest farmers in 1938. It has grown to become Sweden’s largest forest-owner association with 51,000 members, who own and care for two million hectares of forest in the south of the country.

Adding value to its members’ forest products remains

at the core of Södra’s business model 80 years later, and the group is constantly innovating.

“One of our key goals is that we want to grow our forests by 20% by the year 2050,” said its GB & Ireland sales

Södra’s new CLT facility, adjacent to its Värö sawmill, will be operational in 2019.

director Jeremy English.

“We are looking at all of the different ways that we can

into this country as and when it is available,” said English.

add value to the product that our owners produce and we

The UK construction sector is far behind many of its European

see CLT as another option for us to offer into the market.”

Södra’s new CLT facility is situated in Värö – also home to its largest

counterparts when it comes to CLT, said English adding: “We are concrete

sawmill and pulp mill – and the first CLT will be produced early next year,

and steel first, timber second, whereas some parts of Europe, especially

starting off with third party processing, with a plan to produce its own CLT

places like Austria and Germany, they are much more timber first and

in the second quarter.

concrete second and the same with Scandinavia.”

The company has made a very deliberate decision to start small and to test the market, with a capacity of 15,000m3 for year one, but plans are

But the CLT market is growing, he explained, as people increasingly seek out built solutions and systems rather than individual components.

“If you think of a European city you get lots of five to eight storey blocks

already in place to extend its offering, if the conditions are right.

“We are literally dipping our toe in the water and saying can we do this?”

particularly where you have got a concrete shell at the bottom, which is

said English. “So, it is quite minimalist, but we already have plans for a bigger

probably retail space or garage parking, then on top of it you have got

second facility if the original one is successful.”

apartment space, so four or five storeys of apartments, and in that situation

The pilot line will give Södra valuable experience of live projects and the challenges involved in CLT manufacture and it is already laying the

CLT is perfect and it is becoming more and more popular,” explained English.

As sustainability continues to become a bigger part of people’s requirements, CLT ticks all of the boxes, providing a quick, quiet and safe way

groundwork for a larger operation, should the pilot be successful.

“We are already doing the work in the background,” said English. “We are looking at where we would we site a bigger facility, how we would finance

of building, with excellent environmental and thermal properties, as well as being much lighter than concrete.

it, what the business plan would be etc, so as soon as we have got proof of

“I genuinely think the combination of timber products is going to take

business, we won’t then be starting the process, the process will already be

more and more market share, the more the supplier side focuses on providing

well down the road to go to board approval.”

building solutions rather than just building components,” said English.

Initially most of the CLT will be distributed within Sweden and Södra has

“We want to work with our customer base to help them realise the

signed agreements with Swedish companies who will use its product but it

opportunity that we believe the market is going to bring to them in terms of

has ambitions to make it available further afield.

using timber in construction. We want to be there with all the right tools and

“Sodra have three target markets for their timber products – Sweden, the Netherlands and GB & Ireland – so our ambition will be to have product

11

products to help them make a success out of it because we are committed to the use of timber in construction and we have to adapt accordingly.”

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: WOOD AWARDS 2018

WINNING WAYS WITH WOOD The annual Wood Awards showcase the very best in architecture and product design in the world’s only naturally sustainable material Royal Academy of Music Theatre © Adam Scott

T

he winners of the annual Wood Awards have been announced

excellence in architecture and product design in the world’s only

during a ceremony at Carpenters’ Hall in London, hosted by David

naturally sustainable material. The Wood Awards aims to recognise,

Hopkins, director of the Timber Trade Federation.

encourage and promote outstanding design, craftsmanship and

Established in 1971 it is the UK’s premier competition for

installation using wood. The winners are as follows:

MEARS GROUP GOLD AWARD COMMERCIAL & LEISURE WINNER: STOREY’S FIELD CENTRE & EDDINGTON NURSERY Location: Cambridge Architect: MUMA Client/owner: University of Cambridge Structural engineer: Aecom Main contractor: Farrans Construction Ltd Joinery: C W Fields, M Borley & Sons Joinery Ltd Glulam structure: n’H International Ltd Spiral stair: Spiral UK Ltd, David Gilbert Joinery Ltd Cedar Shingle supplier: Marley Eternit Wood supplier: Brooks Bros, D F Richards, James Latham Wood species: American white ash, Canadian western red cedar, European oak, spruce

PRODUCTION: BALLOT CHAIR Designer: Barber & Osgerby Manufacturer: Isokon Plus Wood supplier: Timber Link International Wood species: European oak (Germany)

The 100-place nursery is arranged around three sides of a landscaped courtyard. On the fourth side, is the civic scaled community centre including a 180-seat main hall.

The principle rooms are lined in oak panelling.

The main hall, influenced by the dining halls and chapels of Cambridge colleges, uses an exposed, articulated timber structure. The slender

Photo © Rory Gardiner

spruce glulam portal frames spring from the oak panelled base and pass in front of a backdrop of

The chair is a handcrafted, solid oak

ash veneered panelling; the tones of the timber

design. The most significant challenge

gradually lightening up the height of the space.

was to produce a chair that efficiently

A structural ceiling of layered ash joists, battens

stacks whilst retaining an elegant form.

and veneered plywood conceals air extract routes for the hall’s passive ventilation strategy. The hall

The sections of oak that make up the The judges selected Storey’s Field Centre &

chair are thin but extremely strong,

provides a venue for a range of activities and its

Eddington Nursery as this year’s Mears Group

enabling the back to be narrower at the

acoustics can be adjusted to suit. At the west end,

Gold Award and Commercial & Leisure winner,

top. The chair is a simple, tactile and

an ash spiral stair is a sculptural element wrapped

which is given to the winner of winners. Stephen

versatile design that is a seamless edition

by a curved veneered ash plywood balustrade.

Corbett, chair of this year’s buildings judging

to the collection. The judges felt that

The nursery’s turret roofed classrooms are clad

panel, said: “The best building rose to the top, for

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s Ballot

in western red cedar as are the soffits to the

its winning combination of architectural merit,

Chair represented a masterclass in what

covered nursery cloister.

structural ingenuity and flawless execution.”

an exercise in simplicity should look like.



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ON-SITE BLOWS THE REST

OUT OF SIGHT

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1 FABRICATE INSITE WINDOWS

3 FIT IN FACTORY

4

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WINTER 2018

Latham

Live, work and play...

We offer one of the largest and most varied ranges of joinery quality hardwoods and softwoods available in the UK.

Proud suppliers to this year’s winning projects in the Wood Awards for the Commercial & Leisure and Interiors categories.

With eight nationwide timber depots, we carry more than 20 species of certified and legally verified timber from Europe, Africa, South America, North America, the Far East and Scandinavia as well as modified wood and our own engineered product, WoodEx , all available directly from stock.

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14

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: WOOD AWARDS 2018

EDUCATION & PUBLIC SECTOR: SULTAN NAZRIN SHAH CENTRE Location: Oxford Architect: Niall McLaughlin Architects Client/owner: Worcester College Structural engineer: Price & Myers Main contractor: Beard Construction Joinery: Barn 6 Furniture: Benchmark, David Colwell Design timber flooring: Junckers Wood supplier: Inwood Developments, Brooks Brothers Wood Wood species: European oak, Siberian larch

The Sultan Nazrin Shah Centre houses a

onto an oak-ceilinged foyer that extends

large lecture theatre, a student learning

out to pergolas and terraces overlooking the

space, seminar rooms and a dance studio.

cricket pitch. The theatre is framed by a high

Judge Ruth Slavid said: “This is a building of

stone screen that rises to allow clerestory

tremendous quality and atmosphere, where

light into the space. It is surmounted by a

every detail has been thought through.”

pleated ceiling sweeping down to the stage.

The project has developed and enhanced

The space can operate as fully enclosed,

a significant part of the college’s site. The

darkened, or as a brightly lit environment.

building is raised on a podium and has been

The dance studio stands at the end of a long

designed as a theatre within a garden. A

serpentine lake that connects back to the

curved, stone auditorium opens directly

ancient heart of the college.

INTERIORS: ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATRE AND NEW RECITAL HALL Location: London Architect: Ian Ritchie Architects Ltd Client/owner: Royal Academy of Music Cost consultant: Equals Consulting Structural engineer: WSP Building services: Atelier Ten Acoustic engineer: Arup Stage theatre consultant: Fisher Dachs Associates Lighting consultant: Ulrike Brandi Licht Heritage consultant: Donald Insall Associates Access consultant: Centre for Accessible Environments Fire consultant: WSP Fire Approved inspector: Approved Inspector Services Ltd Client advisor: RISE Main contractor: Geoffrey Osborne Ltd Joinery: James Johnson & Co. Ltd Specialist theatre electrics & lighting: Push The Button Wood supplier: Hardwood Sales Ltd, Brooks Bros Ltd, Lathams Wood species: North American cherry, European oak

Royal Academy of Music Theatre and new

student rehearsal, public performance and

recital hall are two exceptional performance

recording. The Theatre is designed to be

spaces that have been integrated within the

intimate and epic whereas the recital hall is

Academy site.

tranquil, calming and visually cool.

The 309-seat cherry-lined Susie Sainsbury

The recital hall is entirely lined in pale,

Theatre now forms the heart of the academy.

lime-washed European oak. Woven into the

Inspired by the curved shapes of string

design are structural elements reminiscent

instruments, it has been acoustically refined to

of string instruments. Through an aperture

deliver excellent sound qualities. Each acoustic

of finely tuned ‘strings’, an oak-lined oculus

treatment has its own graded detailing to

floods the space with light and provides a

blend the sound in all directions. Above the

central focus.

Theatre, the 100-seat Angela Burgess Recital Hall provides 230m2 of additional space for

The judges praised the project’s wowfactor.

Royal Academy of Music Theatre © Adam Scott

PRIVATE: OLD SHED NEW HOUSE Location: North Yorkshire Architect: Tonkin Liu Structural engineer: Rodrigues Associates Main contractor: Vine House Construction Joinery: Image Developments Northern Ltd Wood supplier: Arnold Laver Wood species: Siberian larch, Latvian birch, Scandinavian spruce

Old Shed New House is a timber framed

large axial openings. A long gallery entices

and clad home nestled within the landscape

visitors in. A tall south-facing library evokes a

of North Yorkshire. An existing agricultural

forest clearing in the heart of the house. The

shed has been transformed into a gallery for

spacious library is wrapped by a modestly

a lifetime collection of books and art. The

sized living room and three bedrooms.

steel portal frame and ground-slab have been

Behind the long gallery, a thick wall conceals

enlarged and infilled with a new timber frame

the staircase, utility room and storage. The

clad in varied widths of shot-blasted timber

environmental approach was to create a highly

and galvanised steel. The rhythmic façade

insulated and airtight building that follows the

reads like the bark of silver birch trees found

passivhaus strategy. Timber solar louvres were

“seems perfectly suited to its owners: this

on the site. The landscape is drawn into the

integrated into the cladding system to limit

building is simple and modest but also delicate

building’s two double-height volumes through

solar gain.

and uplifting to visit.”

Photo © Greg Storrar

Judge David Morley said that the project

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: WOOD AWARDS 2018

SMALL PROJECT: LOOK! LOOK! LOOK! Location: Berrington Hall, Leominster Architect: Studio Morison Artists: TIvan Morison, Heather Peak Client/owner: The National Trust Structural engineer: Artura Wood supplier/CNC cutting: WUP Doodle Wood species: Birch ply, Douglas fir

Look! Look! Look! is a pavilion within an 18th century

create a sense that the final form had been

walled garden originally designed by Georgian

folded into place, and that the edges were

landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

sharp. The artists opted to use engineered

The birch ply and fabric structure is a

ply, cut using a five axis CNC, to create the

contemporary version of the follies or ‘eyecatchers’

individual components later to be assembled

featured in 18th and 19th century landscaping.

in the workshop. The structure is made of 90

The sculptural form is based on a rectangle of

rhomboid timber cassettes with fabric pulled

paper that has been folded in a way that gives it

over and invisibly fixed to each.

The judges praised the project’s sense

structural stability and creates a sense of shelter.

The most important aspect of the work was to

of fun.

STUDENT DESIGNER: OBJEKT BORD Designer: Ellen Svenningsen College: Building Crafts College Wood supplier: Slecuk Wood species: British birch ply

Objekt Bord is an assembly of two components – an

birch ply offers strong structural integrities yet is flexible

upright curve and a circle. The piece questions the

enough to smoothly bend. The judges felt that Ellen

distinction between an object and a piece of furniture

Svenningsen has designed something that, with some

and reflects a constant demand for finding balance. The

development, could go into production. Svenningsen

project was driven by a curiosity to learn and understand

has been awarded a £1,000 cash prize as winner of this

the process of laminating and bending plywood, the

category.

NATURAL WOOD FINISHES YOU CAN RELY ON

BESPOKE: CLEFT Designer: Peter Marigold/Tadanori Tozawa Maker: Hinoki Kougei Represented by: Sarah Myerscough Gallery Wood species: Smoked oak, oak, cherry, jindai sugi, ash, kenponashi, conker, kihada, sen (all Japanese)

01296 481220 | osmouk.com

CLEFT is a series of cabinets made from different Japanese tree species. Designer Peter Marigold worked closely with Tadanori Tozawa of woodworking manufacturer Hinoki Kogei. The wood chosen for each cabinet is selected carefully according to how it will split and work in relation to the overall cabinet dimensions.

The pieces are inspired by the notion of splitting one thing into two and creating bisymmetrical objects. The cabinets dramatically reflect light and shadow over their choppy exterior and impressed the judges

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with their wabi-sabi allure.

Corinne Julius, head of the furniture & product judging panel, said: “We were enchanted by Cleft’s doors: they make you want to examine the material and touch it.”



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WINTER 2018

Macallan Distillery Š Mark Power Magnum Photos

Wiehag is proud to be a partner in the Structural Timber Award with the Macallan Distillery and Visitor Centre project

Solid timber solutions

Design, manufacture and installation of glulam structures Contact: John Spittle, UK Representative Phone 07757813278, email: j.spittle@ukrep.wiehag.com en.wiehag.com 17

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: WOOD AWARDS 2018

STRUCTURAL AWARD: THE MACALLAN DISTILLERY & VISITOR EXPERIENCE Location: Charlestown of Aberlour, Scotland Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners Client/owner: Edrington Structural engineer: Arup Main contractor: Robertson Installation: L&S Baucon GmbH Joinery/wood supplier: Wiehag Wood species: Norway spruce

This year’s Structural Award winner is The

capacity. The timber is reinforced with steel to

Macallan Distillery & Visitor Experience,

act compositely where needed. All the timber

chosen from all the shortlisted buildings.

elements were fabricated in Austria using

Built on an estate that has been creating

advanced CNC machinery. The roof is 207m

single malt whisky since 1824, the scheme’s

long and has an area of 13,620m2. The roof

five domes mirror the surrounding landscape

package comprised 350,000 separate pieces,

but also allow height for the stratification and

including fixings, and almost every piece was

exhaust of hot air. A 3x3m lattice of beams is

different.

imposed orthogonally on the form-found shell

Photo © Mark Power Magnum Photos

Judge Nathan Wheatley said: “This unique

of the roof. This approach allows for structural

roof unites architecture and engineering

structures in the UK and is the crowning glory

robustness and gives space for increased shear

to create one of the UK’s largest timber

of the new distillery.”

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD: WOODLAND CLASSROOMS, BELVUE SCHOOL Location: Northolt Architect: Studio Weave Client/owner: Belvue School Structural engineer: Timberwright Main contractor: IMS Building Solutions M&E consultant: Arup Project managers: Jackson Coles Roofing Sub-contractor: VMZinc Wood supplier: T. Brewer Wood species: Western red cedar (Canada)

Belvue School is a secondary school for

‘Sociable Kitchen’ includes a café and group

students with moderate to severe learning

dining. ‘Messy Barn’ allows all-weather

difficulties and a range of other needs.

outdoor learning. Through encouraging

150sqm of intimate extracurricular spaces

students to adopt extra responsibilities

with domestic quality have been built on

and be more autonomous the school

a modest budget. The boundary between

nurtures their social, emotional and personal

the playground and adjacent woodland was

development. The concave ceiling creates an

identified as the border between familiar

intimate scale which opens up to clerestory

school territory and the magical, mysterious

windows as you move towards the centre of

world beyond, with the new Woodland

the room. The stack effect allows the spaces

Classrooms acting as a gatehouse. ‘Cosy

to be entirely naturally ventilated.

Lounge’ is used for workshops and engaging

Photo © Jim Stephenson

achievement for the schoolchildren who

The Judges’ Special Award is

with the woodland, as well as being a calm

discretionary. Woodland Classrooms, Belvue

have been rewarded with an unforgettable,

private sensory space when required.

School stood out on the strength of its

life-changing learning environment.

STUDENT DESIGNER PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: SUPER DESK Designer: Ben Smith College: Building Crafts College Wood supplier: Tyler Hardwoods Wood species: British olive ash

This year’s buildings judging panel was led by three-time Gold Award winner Stephen Corbett of Green Oak Carpentry. The panel includes Andrew Lawrence, Arup; Adam Richards, Adam Richards Architects; Kirsten Haggart, Waugh Thistleton Architects; Nathan Wheatley, engenuiti; David Morley, David Morley Architects; Jim Greaves, Hopkins; and architectural journalist Ruth Slavid.

Super Desk, inspired by Gio

The furniture and product panel was led by design critic,

Ponti’s SuperLeggera chair, is

curator and journalist Corinne Julius. The panel includes Oliver

designed to create a sense of

Stratford, editor of Disegno magazine; Russell Pinch of Pinch

space and openness in small

Design; Eleanor Lakelin, maker and winner of the 2017 Bespoke

domestic settings. Employing

category; Katie Walker of Katie Walker Furniture; and Rod Wales

visual simplicity and

of Wales & Wales.

impressive craftsmanship,

Mears Group sponsors the Mears Group Gold Award which is

the table’s stability comes

the project that the judges deem to be the best of all the winners.

from the rake and splay of the legs and tensile strength of the solid timber

Major sponsors include American Hardwood Export Council,

rails. Smith chose solid British olive ash for its strength and flexibility.

Carpenters’ Company and TRADA. Other Sponsors include

Ben Smith has received £500 for winning the Student Designer People’s Choice Award. Voting took place at London Design Fair.

American Softwoods, Arnold Laver, Forestry Commission, Timber Trade Federation, Wood for Good, Furniture Makers’ Company and London Design Fair.

18

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WINTER 2018

Egger Advanced Structural Flooring System.

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19

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: BIM

BUILDING COLLABORATION THROUGH BIM The eighth NBS National BIM Report looks at the UK Government’s BIM mandate and the current levels of BIM adoption, as well as people’s attitudes towards BIM. Its head of research, analysis and forecasting Adrian Malleson talks to Michelle Gordon about the findings

W

hen NBS started running its National BIM report in 2011 only

It is a “model that draws information, that is collaboratively assembled and

13% of construction design teams were using Building Information

is updated through the life of a project and enables people including clients and

Modelling (BIM) and 43% weren’t aware of it at all.

contractors, as well as the design team to interact with the building as it is being

Just seven years later and BIM is becoming the norm rather

than a niche practice for early adopters, said Adrian Malleson head of

research, analysis and forecasting at NBS, with 74% of design teams now using it.

BIM is not a piece of software that can be bought, said Malleson, it is

a process for creating and managing information across the lifecycle of a

designed,” explained Malleson.

“Collaboration has long been a problem with construction and that goes back to some old reports, for example, Latham and Eagan, that describe the need for more collaborative approaches and BIM is collaborative in nature.

“It is about providing a structure for better collaboration. At its heart BIM is

construction project, which brings together all of the information about every

about a collaborative process and it is primarily about people – it is about people

component of a building in once place, making it possible for everyone involved in

working together in a structured way that is described by standards – but it is

a project to access the information.

about people.”

SMART MOVE FOR SEMA Software producer, SEMA has joined the

“Digitally supported communication between

official association of the BIM movement,

all partners in the construction industry provides

buildingSMART e.V, which provides a platform

the basis for processes to run smoothly among

for networking and professional exchange on a

all participants, and helps us to build efficiently

national and international level.

and cost-effectively, as well as avoid errors. We at

One of the association’s main objectives is

SEMA help make our customers fit for the future

the “further development and standardisation

with our developments. Membership of the

of open exchange standards for software-

building SMART e.V. is therefore the next logical

independent exchange of information in BIM

step to advance the BIM concept.” says Andreas

past and future developments within the scope

projects and the definition and standardisation of

Leix, head developer at SEMA. SEMA is expecting

of this subject area, and for the open exchange of

corresponding work processes”.

its membership to provide further impetus for

data with the IFC interface.

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WINTER 2018

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: BIM working practices, changes in technology and even

sufficiently educated to understand the benefits

allowing design decisions to be made virtually rather

a different culture of working, so that in itself is an

of BIM and the UK construction industry can be

than onsite, with other benefits including lifetime

investment of time.

resistant to change.

BIM has been very effective in clash detection,

cost savings and improving productivity.

“But there is a lot of stuff out there that can

But despite the concerns, Malleson said BIM

help, and people are generally happy to help and

adoption has been successful and the UK has

with productivity and its productivity growth is

share what they can and want to talk about their

moved to BIM working.

far behind other industries like manufacturing and

experiences.”

“The construction industry has a real problem

finance for example,” said Malleson. “BIM is a way of

Despite the challenges, the figures have shown

“There is quite a bit of consistency, there was a 12% increase in uptake [in 2018] on the year

bringing that digitisation that improves productivity

a continued increase in the uptake of BIM, which

before. What we saw from 2011 to 2013 was a

to the construction industry.”

seems to have been driven by the Government’s

strong uptake and 2013 to 2014, good year-on-

BIM mandate, in place since April 2016. It requires

year growth, then there was a bit of a pause from

accelerate energy efficiency and to monitor it

all projects funded by Central Government to be

2014 to 2016 where it kind of jumped around a

through the life of a building – an opportunity

delivered with fully collaborative 3D BIM (Level 2)

bit and then from 2016 onwards it has gone up

highlighted in the recent IPPC report on reducing

and while it is not a legal obligation for companies

again and it seems to link to the introduction of

global emissions, which noted that buildings are

to use BIM, it is impossible to win contracts for such

the mandate.

responsible for 32% of global energy consumption.

work without it.

It also offers the potential to improve and

While the benefits of BIM are well-documented,

Survey respondents gave a mixed picture as to

BIM is being used in all types of projects by practices big and small, although adoption

and its use is growing, there are, however, some

the success of the mandate with 4% saying it had

rates are lower for smaller practices, and its use

challenges to adopting it from lack of client demand

been very successful, 37% quite successful, 44% not

looks set to continue to grow with over 90% of

to training and investment.

that successful and 14% not at all successful.

respondents saying they will be using BIM within

“There is a capital expenditure to adopting

Respondents reported that the mandate, which

three to five years.

But it is still not universally used, and those

BIM, and there is also an investment in time,” said

only applies to Central Government, was not always

Malleson. “People tell us that adopting BIM isn’t an

enforced and highlighted that local government

who fail to adopt BIM run the risk of being left

easy thing and people are kidding themselves if they

doesn’t always request BIM. They also said that

behind, as the amount of work that is open to

think they can do it in a day. It demands changes in

clients, including Central Government, are not

them starts to diminish.

PUTTING SOFTWARE IN THE FRAME Framing software has helped to give Taunton-based Hubb Timber Frame, a small building contractor which specialises in bespoke timber frame, a competitive edge and enables Poole to respond to design change requests: “Framing gives us both a speed advantage and more control. If we encounter an occasional problem with a frame, we can jump on it fast. We don’t need to go outside to get panels redrawn, and if a customer wants a small change, we can process that easily.”

Hubb specialises in one-of-a-kind bespoke commissions for timber-frame buildings ranging As a qualified carpenter, Hubb Timber Frame

small, with just three people in its workshop, it can

from houses and extensions, to barn conversions

co-founder and chief designer Adam Price used to

compete against much bigger contractors. Adam is

and garden pods. It is Poole’s role as designer to

design frames by hand. When he and his partner

the sole designer and software user, which makes

bring the vision to life. “Framing helps us show the

founded the business, they were determined to

efficiency vital. “Framing is phenomenal and has

customer their vision in three dimensions,” he said.

get to the point where they could manufacture in-

made us completely competitive against bigger

house as soon as possible, to maximise quality as

companies,” he said. “Not only has it eased the

show it to them, then spin the building around to

well as profitability. Making this work would mean

design and quotation process, but it makes it all

show them different elevations. Their reaction is

ensuring they could efficiently design buildings

incredibly easy as it calculates the materials required

often ‘wow, that’s our house!’”

and drive production, as well as find premises for

for each job. It is simply a massive time-saving tool.

a manufacturing workshop.

The software also enables Poole to respond to the needs of the customer. “The most special

outside designers to do the frames, then send

build we’ve done to date was an ‘inside out’

reached out to Hubb Timber Frame. “It was an

their drawings to a manufacturer for production.

structure of straw and concrete. The boarding

easy decision once I saw what the software

At Hubb, I can design any frame directly and

was on the inside, while the frame was left on

could do, and the time it could save. It was

rapidly using the Framing software, then

the outside to be filled with Hemcrete. We could

unprecedented and would save us days or weeks

send the drawing to our own workshop to be

use Framing to plan it and design the frames, and

in designing the frame,” he explained.

manufactured.”

illustrate the boarding on the inside, so we could

Poole learned about Framing when Elecosoft

The company has now been using Framing software for 13 years. Although Hubb remains

22

“Most other small firms have to go to

We can print 3D drawings of the frame and

Having access to the design software also simplifies and speeds up any troubleshooting

WWW.TIMBERMEDIA.CO.UK

easily calculate the cost of materials for this rather different type of design,” he said.

WINTER 2018

REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO

INNOVATION AT THIS YEAR’S TIMBER EXPO It was a record-breaking year for UK Construction Week which focused on the future of construction Photo © UKCW

A

record-breaking 34,000 industry

This year was no different with an

TINY TIMBER HOUSE

professionals attended this year’s

eye-catching timber structure designed and

UK Construction Week (UKCW) at

constructed by Manja van de Worp of AJG

for building new homes will mean that in the

Birmingham’s NEC, making the show

Architects and students from the school of

future houses will need to be smaller, with

the most successful to date.

architecture at the Royal School of Art. The

a much greater emphasis being placed on

structure was designed to explore the benefits

communal buildings which help to create a

construction industry professionals from around

of building the connection method into the

sense of community spirit.

the world, and Timber Expo was the show of choice

element for both installation and disassembly,

for those wanting to learn as much as possible

and it was built using plywood donated by

Carywn Lloyd Jones to build a tiny timber-

about innovation within the timber industry.

Hanson Plywood. The magnificent structure

framed house following the success of his

was put on display next to the Timber Focus

astonishing ‘Dragon’s Eye’ cabin which

Theatre.

won Channel 4’s Cabins in the Wild series.

UKCW comprises of nine shows, attracting

INNOVATION

The increasing pressure on available space

Timber Expo challenged master carpenter

The theme for this year’s UKCW, ‘Future of Construction’, was evident throughout Timber Expo with a range of innovative organisations showcasing pioneering ideas.

Timber Structures showcased its TS3 timber bonding technology range, and Trade Fabrication Systems promoted its new coated and laminated wood-based panel products.

Other innovations included the toxin-free airtight and wind-tight solutions for a building’s envelope which were showcased by Siga, and Italian timber manufacturer Rothoblaas which showcased its Holz Technic range including quality products for small and medium-sized structures.

For many the highlight of Timber Expo is the incredible timber structures which always

Carywn Lloyd Jones constructing the tiny house. Photo © UKCW

draw in the crowds.

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WINTER 2018



REVIEW: TIMBER EXPO construction and working with Donald Trump.

Other big name speakers included, Lord David Blunkett who discussed what can be done to tackle the skills gap; Kunle Barker, property expert and TV presenter, who led the panel discussion on diversity and political correctness; and Ben Derbyshire, HTA Design director and RIBA president, who discussed building in quality.

Celebrations were in order at the Structural Timber Awards which took place at Birmingham’s National Conference Centre on 10 October 2018. The awards celebrated the very best within the structural timber sector.

Looking towards next year’s show, Nathan Garnett, UKCW event director said: “This year’s Timber Expo was our best ever. There was a Seminar at the Timber Focus Theatre. Photo © UKCW

real sense that the timber industry is looking to adapt to new innovative ways of thinking and doing business. The feedback from exhibitors

Workshops on building with natural materials were also hosted at Carwyn’s tiny house.

HOT TOPICS

The seminars covered a range of topics

has been exceptional and we know the visitors

including; making the forest industry more

love the chance to try out new products.

profitable, sustainable and efficient through

Our exhibitor rebook has exceeded our

the use of digital timber measurement and data

expectations and is 40% higher than last year,

management; innovation with hardwoods; and

so we are really excited about how we can take

of opportunities to develop their professional

10 ways to improve your use of trussed rafters

this all forward in 2019.”

knowledge with a seminar programme hosted

and metal web joists.

Timber Expo offered its visitors a range

by TRADA which covered all the bases.

Topics covered included the correct design

Timber Expo and the other eight UKCW

On the UKCW stage, the hard-hitting keynote speakers included Barbara Res, the

for fire safety performance, how tall we can

project manager behind Trump Tower, who

build in wood, how specifiers research and

discussed her experiences as a female in

shows will take place next year from 8-10 October 2019 at Birmingham’s NEC. For more information visit www.timber-expo.co.uk

source timber products; and private residences made beautiful by using wood.

This year’s Timber Expo was our best ever. There was a real sense that the timber industry is looking to adapt to new innovative ways of thinking and doing business. The feedback from exhibitors has been exceptional and we know the visitors love the chance to try out new products.

New to Timber Expo this year were the Confederation of Timber Industries’ ‘Time for Timber’ CPD seminars, which were led by the Structural Timber Association, Timber Trade Federation, Trussed Rafter Association and British Woodworking Federation and supported by the timber industry’s marketing campaign, Wood for Good.

Photo © UKCW

24

Steph McGovern talking to Barbara Res on the UKCW stage. Photo © UKCW

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WINTER 2018

HEALTHIER FAMILIES LIVE IN HEALTHIER HOMES “Back to purity, back to simplicity”

The development of building materials has advanced rapidly since the 1970s and today everything seems technically feasible. However, there is also a steadily increasing number of health problems, whose causes can be traced back to people’s immediate living environment.

Residential poisons which radiate from building materials and furniture can release harmful substances for many years. They are considered a possible cause for allergies and other illnesses. The effects caused by the interaction of vapour-releasing plastics, sheeting of all kinds, solvents, adhesives and other construction chemicals on our health continue to present doctors with new challenges. Holz100 not only surrounds you with a completely non-toxic building material, it can also strengthen your immune system, revitalize your nervous system and help you live a longer life. Rooms made of wood have such a calming effect on us that we save our heart an hour’s work every night we spend in them.

Key Benefits of Holz100:

Call us today for a free quote!

0800 133 7425

 100% pure, solid wood

 Up to 95% reduction in energy use

 0% VOCs, chemicals and glue

 50-year guarantee against mould

 World record in heat insulation

 Fire rated and Soundproof

Thank you for visiting our stand at Timber Expo

362 Upper Richmond Road, London, West SW14 7JT info@capitalholz100.co.uk | www.capitalholz100.co.uk

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR MULTIAXIAL, SLIM, HIGH PERFORMANCE TIMBER STRUCTURES

Timber Structures 3.0 AG Niesenstrasse 1, 3600 Thun

25

Tel: +41 058 255 15 80

www.ts3.biz info@ts3.biz

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THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR STAND AT TIMBER EXPO

WINTER 2018

FEATURE: GLULAM

RAISING A GLASS TO GLULAM Over 380,000 individual components and 1,750 glulam beams were used in the construction of the striking 207-metre long glulam roof at the Macallan distillery

U

p to 400 people specialising in more

timber, as well as a living meadow roof, were

months to complete. It comprises 1,750 glued

than 20 different trades were involved in

used to evoke the environment and ingredients

laminated timber beams, making up a 3x3 metre

building the new £140 million Macallan

of whisky production, as well as aiming to

grid that carries 2,500 cassettes, supporting the

distillery, for Edrington, the international

provide an atmospheric journey for visitors.

natural meadow roof covering.

premium spirits company.

“This once-in-a-lifetime project is one that

Collaborative design and bespoke

Robertson has been honoured to be part of,”

parametric modelling software were used to

for the building on the Easter Elchies estate in

said Bill Robertson, founder and executive

define the complex geometry and realise the

Speyside, which has been creating single malt

chairman. “The complexity of the construction

fluidity of the structure.

whisky since 1824.

work required a huge effort from various teams

Robertson delivered the architectural design

All the timber elements were manufactured

within our business, and their passion and

in Austria using high-precision, computer-

vision for the new distillery and visitor experience

dedication for the project is clear when you see

controlled technology, by Wiehag and over

to life, Robertson took the complex and unique

the completed distillery and visitor experience.”

5,000 lifts and four mobile cranes were used to

Working with 25 contractors to bring the

architectural design and moulded it to complement an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Natural materials such as local stone and

One of the most complex timber structures built in the UK, the scheme’s five domes mirror

The project, which won the Structural Award

the surrounding landscape but also allow height

at the Wood Awards 2018, was announced in

for the stratification and exhaust of hot air.

2012 and the build began in December 2014.

There are over 380,000 individual

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install the roof structure.

The first whisky ran through the stills in December

components in the 207-metre long roof, which

2017 and the visitor experience opened its doors

has an area of 13,620m2 and took almost 12

to the public in June this year.

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WINTER 2018

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: LEISURE

TIME TO UNWIND The relaxing properties of timber make it the ideal material for the buildings in which we spend our free time. We take a closer look at some of the leisure buildings around the world that are showcasing wood Barangaroo House. Photo © Rory Gardiner

T

ime spent away from work and the

global precinct that is carbon neutral, creating

pressures of everyday life is exceptionally

zero waste emissions, being ‘water wise’ and

important and the surroundings in which

contributing to the overall wellbeing of the

we spend our leisure time have a huge

community.

role in helping us to unwind.

Inspired by the potential of creating a building

The relaxing properties of wood are well-

in the round, the unique split-level restaurant

documented, making timber the ideal material for

was designed by architects, Collins and Turner.

the buildings in which we spend our free time.

Supplied by Britton Timbers, 45mm of Dowelled

Its versatility makes timber suitable for a

Accoya and 45mm of Half Dowelled Accoya were

wide range of buildings and over the next few

laminated into a series of pre-determined radii

pages we will be looking at some very different

with a Shou Sugi Ban (medium char) finish applied

projects from around the world which are

to create a charcoal appearance.

showcasing wood.

To further enhance the project, a layer of “Anthractite” a WOCA coating from Denmark

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Barangaroo House, a free-standing, three-

was applied to complement the overall design aesthetic. The Accoya wood cladding was

storey restaurant, has become one of the first

then screw fixed to specially made aluminium

projects in Sydney, Australia, to utilise Accoya

anodised brackets to ensure the dowels were

wood cladding and the distinctive Japanese

evenly spaced throughout the stable structure.

charring technique, Shou Sugi Ban. Situated in the heart of Barangaroo, a

Huw Turner, director of Collins and Turner, said: “It was wholeheartedly agreed that Accoya

commercial and residential urban renewal project

would be the best solution for a long-term

on the edge of Sydney Harbour, it is the latest

outcome due to its hardwearing, versatile nature.

venture by Australian chef, Matt Moran.

Utilising Shou Sugi Ban was an ideal way to create

The historically important 22-hectare

a unique, striking building form which references

harbourside site has sustainability at its heart.

ancient craftsmanship and traditions in a very

Barangaroo is committed to becoming the first

contemporary way.”

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

Barangaroo House. Photo © Rory Gardiner

WINTER 2018

FEATURE: LEISURE

Birdwatching Tower. Photo © Anders E. Johnsson

IN THE ROUND The Birdwatching Tower sits in a remote location in Herdla on the tip of Askøy, an island north of Bergen. It has been sensitively designed by Norwegian architecture firm, LJB to fit in with the area, which is renowned for its wide and open grasslands, and is surrounded by shallow waters.

Kebony was the primary material selected for the cladding, decking and seating, owing to its sustainability and natural appearance as it adapts and changes colour over time, creating a soft and natural overcoat.

Comprising two public floors, the tower was designed to provide a 360-degree perspective from the viewing platform on the top floor which rises seven metres above an abandoned airfield, now transformed into the perfect nesting ground for birds. Attracting birdwatchers from around the world, an amphitheatre has been incorporated into the ground floor to offer a seating area for visitors, along with a footpath providing wheelchair users with access to the top of the tower. Both the amphitheatre and the footpath are surrounded by a wall to the west to protect spectators from harsh winds.

Built upon concrete foundations dating back to World War II it was important to assemble a safe and stable basement which would support

Industry news | Features | Design | Certification Construction | Interviews | Analysis | Sustainability Merchant news | Cladding | Decking | Offsite Timber protection | Markets | Health & safety Events | Case studies | & much more...

an aerodynamic observatory above it. The concrete basement hosts a pumping station which functions as a drainage facility for the agricultural fields, while maintaining the levels of water in the adjacent ponds.

The viewing platform, which can also be accessed using a spiral staircase at the centre of the tower, is cantilevered by a circular canopy to create a shadow and hide birdwatchers from the birds and protect them from extreme weather. The practical and simplistic design of the birdwatching tower ensures the structure blends seamlessly into

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the surrounding landscape, ensuring the birds are not disturbed and providing the perfect spot to overlook various bird breeds.

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WINTER 2018

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It was established to promote the materials, design and installation practices required to create good quality decks, associated landscape structures and cladding on buildings.

31

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WINTER 2018

FEATURE: LEISURE Accoya for the project, and expert roofing and cladding company Angus Roofing Contractors refurbished the existing roof and clad the new elevations.

Different finished widths of Accoya – 42mm, 92mm and 142mm (all PAR Eased edges) – were then used to create cladding modules which Angus Roofing then mounted onto timber batons, which in turn were mounted to an insulated composite metal carrier panel. In total approximately 1,100 linear metres of Accoya panels were fixed to the arena’s structure.

The finish on the Accoya cladding was a tricolour Sikkens tint, applied to the timber lengths in-factory. Three different tint shades were used City of London Freemen’s School

BACK TO SCHOOL The new six-lane 25m competition pool at

ENT-ICING PROJECT

– light oak, medium oak and dark oak – to create a rich, textured aesthetic.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

The Slough Ice Arena was refurbished

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum in

the City of London Freemen’s School in Ashtead

as part of Slough Borough Council’s £62m

Helmsley was the Commercial & Leisure winner

replaces the original pool that was destroyed by

investment in regenerating leisure facilities

in the Wood Awards 2017.

a fire in 2014.

across the borough with a view to getting more

Designed by architects Hawkins Brown, the project, which was shortlisted in the Wood

people, more active, more often.

Undertaken by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR),

Designed by architect Simpson & Brown for English Heritage, the aim of the project was to upgrade the museum building to meet modern

Awards 2018, includes changing facilities, an

a partnership between Slough Borough Council

curatorial standards, encourage visitors into the

annex and an energy centre.

and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd, the Ice

ruins, and improve facilities.

A cross-laminated timber (CLT) envelope,

Arena underwent substantial re-modelling and

with minimal structural steel inserts, is supported

its façade was transformed with a timber clad

the existing L-shaped timber visitor centre. Visually

by long spanning portal frames in glulam timber

surface, using Accoya.

the new structural frame echoes the existing

that are gradually skewed along the length of

A glulam spruce central hall was inserted into

The new extended ice facility and new

columns and arches of the abbey ruins. The frames

the building. Internally, the engineered wood has

climbing centre designed by architect practice

are connected by CLT sheeting at roof level and a

been left exposed and treated with a white stain,

GT3 was revealed in April 2018 and has since

perimeter edge beam containing concealed lighting

leaving the grain visible.

welcomed over 42,000 visitors.

and services. These panels are exposed where

The finish provides thermal insulation

Mark Gowdridge of GT3 Architects said:

possible and stained to match the mainframe. The

and corrosion resistance, which is of particular

“The recurring issue with raw wood cladding has

slot windows formed within the vertical CLT panels

importance in a corrosive swimming pool

always been its susceptibility to water ingress

echo the local timber agricultural buildings. Offsite

environment. Prefabricated offsite, the structure

and rot, requiring frequent maintenance and care.

fabrication solved the problems of a restricted site

was assembled onsite in just over three weeks.

Given the extent of cladding on the ice arena,

and tight programme over winter.

From detailed design to completion, the project

we wanted a wood product which was natural,

took only one year.

durable and sustainable. Most importantly,

included structural engineer, Dosser Group;

The structural engineer was Eckersley

Other partners involved in the project

the end user wanted a timber with virtually

main contractor, Simpson (York) Ltd; M&E, SDS

O’Callaghan and the main contractor Gilbert Ash.

no maintenance and it couldn’t rot even in the

Engineering Consultants; quantity surveyor: RNJ

Austrian spruce, supplied by Wiehag, was used in

wettest and coldest conditions.”

Partnership and joinery company/wood supplier:

the project.

Vincent Timber supplied over 250sqm of

Slough Ice Arena

32

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Cowley Timber & Partners.

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre & Museum

WINTER 2018

33

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WINTER 2018

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FEATURE: FABRIC FIRST

FUTURE PROOFING DESIGN Malcolm Thomson, sales director at Scotframe, explains why timber frame lends itself perfectly to a ‘fabric first’ approach

S

ustainable building used to be the

Timber frame lends itself perfectly to a ‘fabric

exception rather than the rule. However,

first’ approach, due to its natural energy efficiency

thanks to shifting client attitudes due

– it really is the most environmentally friendly

in no small part to increased energy

way to build. Wood is effectively a carbon-neutral

prices, together with stricter building

material, even when you take transportation into

regulations across the UK, designers, builders

account. The amount of energy taken to produce

and developers are under more pressure than

timber components – their “embodied energy” – is

first. It’s essentially a “fit and forget” approach,

ever to consider long-term energy efficiency

much less than that of plastic, steel or concrete

so once the building is complete, the job is done.

measures right from the outset of their projects.

alternatives, and in fact structural timber has the

Very little maintenance is required, avoiding the

This is what the timber frame sector has

lowest overall CO2 cost of any building material.

long-term need for regular upkeep and cleaning

championed for many years - a ‘fabric first’

In Scotland – and indeed most of the rest of

of renewable tech like solar panels.

Energy efficient, fabric first buildings also have

approach to building design. ‘Fabric first’ simply

the developed world – timber frame is currently the

involves maximising the performance of the

most popular construction method for domestic

health benefits, because thermal comfort and indoor

building’s external envelope, rather than relying

low-rise properties, and for good reason. By using

air quality both play a large part in our health and

on ‘add-ons’ to improve a building’s energy

timber within the fabric of a building you can reduce

wellbeing. A fabric first building constructed using

efficiency and sustainability credentials.

energy consumption through improved thermal

timber frame delivers a warm, draft free, comfortable

performance, air tightness and better insulation.

environment and timber has been shown to improve

or energy-saving technology such as smart

Timber has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity;

indoor air quality by moderating humidity.

home gadgets, designers of ‘fabric first’ buildings

requiring less insulation than other materials, such as

concentrate instead on maximising air tightness,

steel frame, to achieve the same U-value.

So, rather than using things like photovoltaics

eliminating thermal bridging, and optimising

It is easier to make a timber frame building

It also has a calming influence on a building’s occupants, lowering the human sympathetic nervous system activation and reducing blood pressure

insulation, solar gain and natural ventilation.

airtight than a masonry one, as timber is

and heart rate. According to the Wood for Good

Using ‘fabric first’ can lead to significant energy

ideally suited to offsite construction in quality-

campaign, a study conducted in 2010 in an Austrian

cost savings over a building’s lifetime – it can

controlled factory conditions, with its associated

school compared two timber-built classrooms with

deliver an overall energy reduction of up to 33%.

benefits of higher quality, increased speed and

two standard classrooms. Children studying in the

reduced labour costs. Closed panel building

timber classrooms had significantly lower heart rates,

has over renewable energy systems is that it

systems, manufactured offsite, are particularly

were noticeably more relaxed and performed better.

doesn’t require the occupant of the building to

effective in terms of thermal performance, as

master complicated new tech or adjust their energy

they have insulation which is injected into the

sustainability, cost and wellbeing into consideration

consumption habits – the building does all the hard

panels and expands to fill every space.

if it wants to keep clients happy and meet building

One major advantage the ‘fabric first’ approach

work for them. Also, a building’s fabric can’t be

I’m seeing a clear shift in attitudes across the

The construction industry must take

regulations, so to me, designing using a fabric

easily tampered with, so it will continue to perform

construction industry towards offsite solutions as

first approach is a no-brainer. Forget relying on

as intended for decades, essentially ‘future-

more and more people begin to fully understand

expensive add-ons or assuming occupants will

proofing’ a design as technology advances and

these advantages.

adapt their energy consumption habits – just design

more stringent building standards are introduced.

35

There are numerous other benefits to fabric

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it in from the start, and then forget about it.

WINTER 2018

Timber! FIT Show Sees Influx of WWA Members Sign Up for 2019

RCM’s fire-rated through wall solutions demonstrated at Timber Expo

Timber companies have thrown their weight behind FIT Show, the UK’s only dedicated event for the glass and glazing industry, with a number of leading brands and WWA members signing up to exhibit in 2019. FIT Show has broadened its offering in recent years and the influx of timber brands will further bolster the show’s core UPVC and aluminium lineup, as well as its new flat glass proposition, ‘Visit Glass’. The WWA will have a strong presence at the 2019 showcase, supporting exhibiting members with a dedicated ‘timber trail’ designed to guide visitors around the show via timber stands and towards a dedicated members lounge.

WWA members that have signed up to exhibit include the likes of Viking Windows AS, Allan Bros (also showing CWG Choices and Inwido), Bereco, West-Port, Jeld-Wen & Teknos.

FIT Show 2019 will take place at the NEC Birmingham from 21st to 23rd May and will feature up to 300 exhibitors from across the window, door, conservatory and glass industry. Walk on stand packages are available from as little as £3,000 and there is still time for brands to sign up to exhibit by contacting FIT Show event director, Nickie West - nickie@fitshow.co.uk / 00 44 7818 218000.

RCM showcases eye-catching 24sqm stand at this years’ Timber Expo, NEC Birmingham

Makita’s twin 18V LXT Angle Drill exceeds mains delivery and makes tough tasks look effortless

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• High performance angle drill meets mains delivery with additional benefits • BL motor for longer runtime and performance • Many advanced technologies and features • Ideal for larger timber and steel constructions

RCM have again managed to showcase an attention-grabbing stand at Timber Expo in Birmingham this year, part of the UK Construction Week, which was held 9-11 October 2018. All 24sqm of the stand were decked out with RCM’s offerings from building boards right through to the myriad of façade solutions supplied, with a focus on the timber frame market; with particular attention paid to fire rated solutions. The main stand itself was constructed partially using Cemboard, RCM’s own high-performance cement bonded particle building board. This is the second time RCM has attended this prestigious show. Exhibiting on the same stand as 2017, a big change from last years’ show was the removal of the corner section of the stand, allowing visitors to walk through and take a closer look at the colourful displays.

For more information, please visit our website: www.buildingboards.co.uk

Sometimes, even the simple task of hanging a picture or a mirror on an interior partition wall has been fraught with difficulty due to the common challenge of a weak plasterboard substrate. That is no longer a problem thanks to Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix.

Makita has launched its first cordless twin 18V LXT Brushless Angle Drill featuring all the power and performance of a mains machine whilst benefiting from the freedom and manoeuvrability that only a battery powered tool can provide. The mighty DDA460ZK is powered by two Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion batteries giving 36V power from the Brushless motor which not only massively extends runtime but substantially increases power. The capacity of the new Twin 18V DDA460ZK LXT Angle Drill will make the toughest tasks completely effortless, including drilling roof trusses, barn conversions and even large steel structures above the open seas.

Specifically designed for dry lining applications, SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix is a precision engineered oriented strand board (OSB) with a special groove machined into the edge for metal C-studs at 600mm centres. SterlingOSB Zero is made from several layers of softwood strands, carefully layered and bonded under heat and pressure with a strong zero-formaldehyde resin to create a strong board. Superior to plywood, which contains knotholes, splits and cracks, OSB has a consistent density meaning you can attach fixings, hang pictures or fit items of furniture securely anywhere on the panel. SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix is supplied in 18mm-thick, 2,400mm x 597mm panels with 50 sheets per pack. Non-standard sizes are available on request.

For more news and product information about Makita UK please visit www.makitauk.com

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk

For all advertising enquiries contact Terry Hanlon on  01925 270093

For free Reader Registration in the UK for three years simply go to www.timbermedia.co.uk and click the Registration button For oversees the subscription is £50 for three years.

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WINTER 2018

MDF From standard, light, moisture resistant and fire retardant to exterior, flexible and profiled, our extensive range of Medium Density Fibreboard can offer a solution to any construction or design requirements

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Accoya® Modified Wood Accoya® is a modified timber which is guaranteed for 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground or freshwater. Its performance and properties are remarkable, from joinery for the home to bridges submerged in water, Accoya long life wood stands up to every application challenge.

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We have the widest selection of certified door types, sizes, thicknesses and finishes in the country and our highly experienced team has an in-depth technical knowledge and understanding of all the products we supply

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Call 0116 257 3415 email marketing@lathams.co.uk Visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk

Thank you to everyone that came to our stand