Timber goes under the hammer

Summer 2007

Published: 18 June, 2007

Oak, douglas fir and straw are to be used to build a new auction house for Sworder Fine Art Auctioneers

The 11,000ft2 building in Stansted Mountfitchet will feature timber frames with straw bale infill, which will be covered in a lime plaster.

It will also boast a cedar shingle roof and innovative features such as solar heating and a rainwater havesting system.

“Environmental issues were key behind the decision to build such an auction house,” said project designer Robert Ward-Booth.

“We wanted to prove building such an environmentally friendly building could be done and it has worked out to be more economic as well.”