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The first car enters the car park |
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An exterior view |
Multi-storey marvel
Sweden’s first timber multi-storey car park has rewritten the design possibilities for urban buildings traditionally the domain of concrete. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 03 March, 2010
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More than an academic exercise
The Norwich Open Academy takes building in cross-laminated timber panels to new heights and in new directions. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 03 March, 2010
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The elevations of the houses resemble tall town houses |
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Each block had to be stepped to accommodate the gradient |
Cultural exchange
Anne McDonald reports on a unique inner city redevelopment which successfully marries thoughtful design with the sustainability of timber frame, creating a RIBA Housing Design Award winning scheme
Published: 19 February, 2010
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The visitor centre was designed to give the feeling of an African-style lodge |
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Rope features between joints to form a theme with the handrails – and also to hide gaps |
Wild wood
An all-timber lodge provides the perfect vantage point for watching the biggest carnivores in Kent. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 18 February, 2010
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The ceiling comprises 2,544 parts, each finished by hand, and weighs five tonnes |
Vaulting ambition
Hi-tech timber craftsmanship is adding a stunning finishing touch to England’s newest cathedral. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 12 February, 2010
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The Dawyck building features a simple post and beam structure |
Garden gateways
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Gardens has demonstrated two different approaches to building with timber. Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development for the Centre for Timber Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University reports
Published: 04 November, 2009
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Sleepers were reclaimed from Plymouth harbour |
Interactive eco luxury
Perched on a Cornish hillside overlooking the dramatic beach at Mawgan Porth, the new Scarlet Hotel is staking a claim to be the UK’s only truly eco hotel. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 21 October, 2009
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Mayr-Melnhof’s new headquarters building blends a range of engineered timber products |
A cut above
You might not expect a sawmiller to opt for avant-garde architecture, but Mayr-Melnhof has done just that – in glulam. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 03 June, 2009
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The footprints of redundant buildings around a
mediaeval yard formed the template for the new Berwick Workspace |
Back in town
Squeezed out over centuries by other materials, timber is now making serious forays back into urban construction. A recent example is Berwick-upon-Tweed’s new Workspace development. Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development for the Centre for Timber Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University, reports
Published: 03 June, 2009
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St John Fisher school uses 1,000m3 of cross laminated timber panels |
Class act in CLT
The St John Fisher School pushes the UK boundaries for prefabricated cross-laminated timber building. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 28 May, 2009
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In three years, the green screen will have grown the height of the building |
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The larch cladding is plain sawn and unfinished |
Against the grain
This is timber building in the raw. The architect himself, Richard Scales of studiomgm, describes it as uncompromising.
Published: 25 March, 2009
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The Britten Studio with its roof containing 314 acoustic boxes |
Raising the rafters
A multi-million pound redevelopment project at Snape Maltings has timber at its heart. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 01 February, 2009
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The archive from the water |
Museum piece
Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development for the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University takes a look at the 2008 Wood Awards Gold Award winner, the Shetland Museum and Archives.
Published: 01 February, 2009
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From the forest to the stars
The Kielder Observatory looks to new horizons in timber construction. Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at Napier University’s Centre for Timber Engineering, reports
Published: 01 December, 2008
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A trick of the light
A timber pavilion at last year’s London Design Festival broke new ground all round. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 01 December, 2008
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The designs for the Llandegla project |
Welsh wood wonder
A new construction system is raising hope that Welsh softwood can enter new markets. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 01 December, 2008
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The two nursery schools, which are variations on a visual theme, are light, airy and open, despite their relatively diminutive 250m2 footprint |
Pre-school goes prefab
An Essex council made the switch to prefabricated timber panel construction for two nursery schools. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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The Richmond Oval will host the 2010 Winter Olympics speed skating events |
Olympian effort
The Richmond Oval’s massive timber roof is a prime example of how timber can be used in international arenas. David Pittman reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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The new park authority headquarters may use traditional materials, but it is set out on a very non-traditional shallow ‘S’ shape
Photo: Renzo Mazzolini
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How green is my glen?
The new HQ of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority demonstrates the potential of green timber construction, writes Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at Napier University’s Centre for Timber Engineering
Published: 22 August, 2008
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Exterior view of Kevin McCloud’s house at the Grand Designs Live exhibition |
Building by numbers
The Facit building system employs digital technology to produce bespoke houses made from prefabricated timber cassettes. David Castle reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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Wolseley's Sustainable Building Center is built from 107 of the company's 7,000 sustainable products
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Sexily sustainable
Wolseley’s new eco-building products showcase is designed to tune the UK in, and turn it on, to sustainable construction. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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Carpenter Oak built the oak frame structure |
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A corridor looking into one of the rooms |
Mitred oak
A traditional oak frame structure with a modern twist has given Wells Cathedral room to breathe. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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The glulam beams ready for lifting into place |
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The internal structure was designed to make the most of natural light |
Flight of the carpenter
Finnforest Merk had to over-come numerous challenges to complete the timber-centric redevelopment of Pier 2E at Charles de Gaulle airport. David Pittman reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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The multi-directional curves of the glulam frames at Wickersley School posed a technical challenge |
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Hopkins' Norwich Cathedral Refectory |
Timber multi-tasker
A list of the types of building that contractor Constructional Timber doesn’t handle would be a short one. Mike Jeffree reports on a master of many trades
Published: 01 April, 2008
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OSB provides the centre's curved components |
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Scottish-grown European larch was used for the cladding |
Living history
Culloden finally has a visitor centre worthy of the momentous events there 262 years ago, writes Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering
Published: 01 April, 2008
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The houses are finished in a combination of renderboard and Cornish chestnut slats |
A house for all species
Sustainability is the watchword in a Brixton social housing development, to the point that it even incorporates habitats for bats and insects. Will Anderson reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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Free space and the 'wow' factor at Sandroyd School |
Arts and craft
The bold lines of a new school performing art centre are based on a blend of traditional oak beam construction with a hi-tech, bespoke jointing system. Keith Fryer reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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The west elevation of the pool, clad in English oak boards |
A forest lake in Formby
Natural inspiration helped a Lancashire swimming pool net Gold in the 2007 Wood Awards. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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Panels being craned into position |
Supersonic Sussex Build
OSM Homes has supplied its first German-made timber houses to a small development in Lewes. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 11 November, 2007
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The core of the building is inspired by the form of a boat |
Palliative partnership
The new Palliative Care Centre at James Paget University Hospital in Norfolk will draw on the local boat-building tradition. Will Anderson reports
Published: 11 November, 2007
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The site of Hanson Hall was formerly occupied by a Ministry of Defence munitions shed |
Across the ages
An ambitious project in Cheshire sees timber frame bridging the gap between the 17th and 21st centuries. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 05 November, 2007
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The design by Glasgow-based SMC Davis Duncan Architects is a tour-de-force of timber construction |
Sporting performance
Timber is used inside and out for Craigholme School’s new sports pavilion. Architect Peter Wilson, director of business development at Napier University’s Centre for Timber Engineering, reports
Published: 05 November, 2007
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The nine-storey building features a honeycomb structure |
New heights
Cross-laminated panels are being used in a nine-storey residential building in Hackney, which, when completed will be the tallest in the world. David Castle reports
Published: 05 November, 2007
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The oak frame takes shape |
Back to nature
The third phase of the Lower Mill Estate in the Cotswolds features oak-frame houses. David Castle reports
Published: 01 November, 2007
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Architect Steven Willis and Tommy Walsh on the roof of the eco house |
The eco-house that Tommy built
Timber frame and masonry marry up in a new TV series on how to build an eco-home. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 30 October, 2007
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The prototype building was unveiled at BRE's OFFSITE 2007 exhibition and conference in June |
Shine on self-build
A self-build package with cutting-edge green credentials that looks good, too! David Castle reports on the award-winning Lighthouse net-zero carbon home that closes the lid on soul-less boxes
Published: 30 October, 2007
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One of the main A-frames |
Old and improved
A 400-year-old timber-framed cottage restored after a catastrophic blaze incorporates some hidden fire safety improvement. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 29 July, 2007
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The Onwin-Lawrence house at Balnafoich, Inverness, features Douglas fir trusses curved at the ridge with slow-grown larch cladding |
Organic buildings
Peter Wilson, director of business development for the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University in Edinburgh, reports on the work of Neil Sutherland, an architect who has gone to unusual lengths to achieve his desired effect
Published: 15 July, 2007
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The complex geometry of the pods required a high degree of skill SHEPHERD CONSTRUCTION |
Study in red
American red oak has proved a hit with both staff and pupils at Northampton School for Boys. Lucy Kamall reports
Published: 15 July, 2007
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One of the pods is lifted into place |
High pods
The challenge was building new penthouse flats on top of a prestigious six-storey London apartment block. The solution was prefabricated, timber-frame pods and a crane. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 13 July, 2007
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Under the coppiced chestnut tree
Furniture maker Stephen Owen is building a workshop at Cranleigh School, using coppiced chestnut. Will Anderson reports
Published: 13 July, 2007
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Timber provides the wow factor at 28 Percy Street |
Making light work
An airy, open glulam-framed extension has transformed a listed London Georgian terrace – and its prefabricated core was built by tea-time. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 18 June, 2007
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Larch glulam beams in the Creativity Centre |
Glulam takes theatre spotlight
A £14m development project involving the revamping and remodelling of the Royal and Derngate theatres in Northampton has been completed.
Published: 13 June, 2007
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The Gallery II: a showpiece for the use of cedar cladding |
Building growth
Following its management buyout, Pinewood Structures has big plans to expand its business and boost timber frame’s UK market share. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 10 June, 2007
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An exemplar of sustainable construction: the new headquarters for Scottish Natural Heritage |
Sustainability by degrees
Architect Peter Wilson, director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University, looks at three new projects highlighting the growing preference for using sustainable local materials, including wood, in large commercial and public buildings
Published: 19 May, 2007
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Bicton Primary School is an exemplar of modern methods of construction |
It’s been an education
A new school in Shropshire should help dispel the grisly image of pre-fab classrooms. Will Anderson reports
Published: 19 May, 2007
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The exterior features cladding panels and western red cedar |
A grand DESIGN
At seven storeys, Grand Union Heights is one of the tallest timber structures in the UK. David Castle finds out what it took to make the building work and looks at the future of high-rise timber frame
Published: 20 April, 2007
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The new complex will be a gateway to the forest Make Architects |
Branching out
Make Architects' 20m-high Sherwood Forest visitor centre pushes the use of timber in its natural state. Peter Wilson, director of business development at Napier University's Centre for Timber Engineering, reports
Published: 06 April, 2007
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Large areas of the timber frame will be encased in hemp/lime insulating material |
CAT WISEs up
The new Wales Institute of Sustainable Education will provide environment-minded architects and builders with an educational facility that is both green and high spec. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 02 April, 2007
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Initial artist's impression of the warehouse, a clear statement of Adnams' environmental intent |
A sip of the sustainable stuff
East Anglia has a new flagship of UK eco-architecture – and it's used for storing beer. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 12 December, 2006
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Brighton beach ware
A beach sports venue on Brighton's seafront is part of a plan to regenerate the eastern side of the Palace Pier. Will Anderson reports
Published: 12 December, 2006
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The Savill Garden gridshell uses 20km of locally sourced larch lathe |
Going for gridshell gold
The biggest timber gridshell in the UK has won prizes and popular approval. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 12 December, 2006
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Green grocer
Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, has chosen timber for its first eco-store. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 12 December, 2006
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The diagrid roof at Alnwick Castle Garden's visitor centre |
Pavilions in the landscape
Architect Peter Wilson, director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University, reviews the visitor centres at Alnwick Castle Garden and Broughton Hall
Published: 12 December, 2006
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Tree and house in their intimate embrace! |
The satisfied self-builder
Will Anderson wrote about the first steps in the construction of his house in the first issue of Timber Building. Now, a year on, he describes his experience of working on and living in his ecologically ambitious self-built home
Published: 23 October, 2006
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CGI of Aylesbury's new civic theatre
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Civic pride
For visitors to Aylesbury's new civic theatre, the drama will begin before they even enter the building. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 10 October, 2006
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Architects Team 51.1O took Goldfinger’s principles about appearance, natural light and ventilation and applied them to modern requirements |
The school with the Midas touch
Using the design principles of modernist architect Erno Goldfinger, Brandlehow school’s new classroom is a shining example of the flexibility and aesthetic qualities of timber. David Castle reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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The BRE demonstration house features a range of cladding and roof finishes |
Housing holistics
Innovare Systems is pushing the boundaries with its structural insulated panel-based Jabhouse. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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The ABA Hide House: like the other Land Mark homes, these will be built when a sale is secured. Prospective buyers have shown interest in both |
Chic and cool in the Cotswolds
A nature reserve with homes attached is one description for a novel vacation development under way in the watery Cotswold countryside. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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The institute's theatre |
Sea spectacular
The interior of Ireland’s new Marine Institute headquarters is anything but a clinical laboratory. Keren Fallwell and Michael Buckley report
Published: 20 July, 2006
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The Holborough Valley development features a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and one- to five-bedroom houses |
Berkeley squares up to the future
In the heart of Kent a blue-chip British housing developer is fusing Canadian building technology with New England style. Sally Spencer reports on the largest Super E development in the world
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Willersley Farm House – timber clad barn style newbuild on the site of an existing farm |
Gearing up for growth
Taylor Lane has seen the future in timber frame – and it’s automated hi-tech. Martin Pearce reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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The frame is Douglas fir, used in its green form to take advantage of the pegged joints tightening as the timbers dry |
Time to go home-grown
Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University, reports on the new headquarters for the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
Published: 13 April, 2006
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Lime render is used on some of the exteriors |
Crowd puller
Timber is at the heart of an eco-housing project in Shropshire – and what’s more, it is sourced locally. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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The Core’s glulam frame has two planes that create an arching double spiral. The geometry was based on the Fibonacci sequence |
Sticking to core principles
What do you get when glulam beams meet the Fibonacci sequence? Mick Whitworth visited the Eden Project to find out
Published: 13 April, 2006
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The Wood Awards judges were impressed with the inventive use of timber throughout the building and the way old and new material was juxtaposed |
The heart of the matter
Simon Conder’s conversion of a Northamptonshire barn has won him accolades and Wood Awards Gold. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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Glulam provides the frame for the environmentally- sustainable building
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Natural history lesson
A new building in north-east London blends cutting edge, sustainable construction and design that visually contrasts, but philosophically complements its historic surroundings. Will Anderson reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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Timber frame cassettes will be used for the Bromford Housing Group development |
Different shades of green
A multiple occupancy housing and apartment development in Wolverhampton is all about sustainability made simple. Mike Jeffree and Jay Merrick report
Published: 13 April, 2006
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The SmartLIFE Centre incorporates lecture rooms, offices and a visitor centre |
Startlingly smart
The SmartLIFE Centre in Cambridge will be an inspiration for modern methods of construction generally and timber building in particular. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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