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A cut-away of the ModCell structure, showing the timber frame and packed straw. |
Timber shows sustainability street smarts
Timber had a high profile at Interbuild’s ‘sustainbility street’, the section of the show dedicated to offsite and other modern methods of eco-friendly construction. In fact it accounted for the structure of most of the cutting edge buildings.
Published: 20 November, 2009
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Winner: Gold Award/Commercial & Public Access
Kings Place Concert Hall, London
Architect: Dixon Jones Ltd
Joinery: Swift Horsman Ltd
Species: European oak |
Kings takes the crown
Kings Place Concert Hall scooped Gold in this year’s Wood Awards
Published: 22 October, 2009
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Visitors to the National Homebuilding & Renovating Show |
2009: the year of self-build?
While much of the construction industry has had little cheer in recent months, self-builders are toasting the best market conditions for years and possibly decades. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 29 June, 2009
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White gold
White Design has blazed a trail in modern, timber-based eco-construction and founder Craig White is now a leading advocate for the use of wood in 2012 Olympics developments. David Castle reports
Published: 01 December, 2008
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North south divide
Scotland has proved fertile ground for timber frame construction. Mike Jeffree reports on why
Published: 01 December, 2008
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A study in timber
Provian Construction has been working hard over the long summer vac to provide a home-away-from-home for students at the University of Greenwich. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 01 December, 2008
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Best Use of British Timber: New North Gallery, Bloomsbury |
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Conservation & restoration |
Ageless appeal
This year's Wood Awards illustrate timber's perennial appeal whether it's for bespoke pieces of furniture or vast structures of public buildings
Published: 26 September, 2008
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Kingspan reported 33% year-on-year growth in its offsite division last year |
Offsite on message
Offsite manufacturing is set to grow, and that's good news for timber. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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Components are individually marked |
Shade and light
Robin Dodyk of Oregon Timber Frame found an intriguing mix of traditional and modern wood building techniques on a fact finding tour of Japanese construction. Anne McDonald reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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“Normal” looking Super E homes built for Downlands Housing Association |
Super E aims higher
Five hundred Super E homes have been completed in the UK, but now the programme is aiming still higher with its EQuilibrium housing concept. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 22 August, 2008
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Baldy's Garden uses locally-grown coppiced sweet chestnut |
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FCB Studios' Century Court is clad with FSC-certified red louro |
Exit eco-bling
Architects' definitions of sustainable construction and their take on where timber fits into the picture are the subject of a new book from TRADA. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 08 August, 2008
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The much-admired Savill Garden Gridshell |
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The Gridshell uses locally-sourced larch |
Awards for inspiration
Architect Giles Downes’ role as a judge of the Wood Awards has deepened his enthusiasm for building with timber. David Castle reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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SIPS comprise two layers of OSB filled with rigid urethane insulation |
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Kingspan's Lighthouse |
Paradigm shift
SIPs are gaining a reputation for providing the much sought after low energy consumption. David Castle reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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The five-bedroom house was watertight in just 13 days |
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The SIPs arrive on site cut to size |
The first SIP
After trying SIPs for the first time on a house in Yorkshire, the designer and developer are converts. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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Hemlock Construction and Eleco Timber Frame collaborated on the Gallery in Manchester |
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Eleco says its timber frame system reduces build time and costs and improves site logistics |
Blue-sky thinking
According to Eleco Timber Frame, high density timber frame developments are setting their sights increasingly high. David Castle reports
Published: 01 April, 2008
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Organisers are expecting 20,000 visitors |
Eco expansion
Ecobuild is to double in size, with zero carbon developments a key topic for the construction masses. David Pittman reports
Published: 23 February, 2008
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Steico Canaflex boasts high thermal and acoustic properties |
Warm mongers
Timber construction is renowned for its energy performance, but it makes special demands of insulation products. David Castle reports
Published: 23 February, 2008
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More than 250 candidates are registered on the UKTFA's erector training and qualification programme |
Teaching timber
There are several courses available to help architects, engineers and building professionals improve their knowledge of timber frame construction
Published: 23 February, 2008
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The Fernieside extension transforms a 1950s semi |
Adding value
Timber is proving to be an ideal material for both small- and large-scale extensions to buildings. Architect Peter Wilson, director of business development at Napier University’s Centre for Timber Engineering, reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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Conservation work begins |
Baby, it really is cold outside
On opposite sides of Antarctica and at opposite ends of a century, two buildings highlight the special properties of wood in construction. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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Panels being craned in |
Magnum force
An off-site construction business based on “massive” OSB panels is taking shape on a truly grand scale in Manchester. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 22 February, 2008
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Tulipwood was the material of choice for a community centre at St Paul’s, where a blonde hardwood was required |
Blossoming Tulipwood
The main applications for tulipwood are furniture and interior joinery, but research into its structural potential shows it has the strength of a hardwood but the weight of a softwood. Michael Buckley of World Hardwoods reports
Published: 07 December, 2007
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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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Flooring specialist Foresbec exhibited last year |
Well-built
The UK’s leading construction products exhibition will now become an annual event. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 11 November, 2007
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Windtight, watertight and insulated roof on both plots ready for tiling in one day |
A day's work
A new prefabricated roof system can be erected in a day, taking weeks off the build programme. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 11 November, 2007
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Hemp is harvested after 14 weeks |
Grass roots construction
A special blend of hemp and lime is becoming an increasingly widely accepted eco-alternative to concrete – and especially popular used in conjunction with wood-based construction. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 01 August, 2007
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Datum already has £2.5m worth of orders for the next two quarters |
Lean and green
When Simon and Sandy Bliss set up timber frame company Datum, they decided to break the manufacturing mould. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 29 July, 2007
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Cladding is proving increasingly popular among architects and building designers |
Outer Beauty
Timber cladding is enjoying a boom in fortunes as architects and specifiers recognise its flexibility, durability and aesthetics. David Castle finds out more
Published: 23 July, 2007
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The Scottish Public Pensions Agency in Galashiels, by RMJM Architects |
It's not unusual
Architect Peter Wilson, director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University, has been commissioned by the Forestry Commission Scotland to write a book, New Timber Architecture in Scotland. Here he provides a preview of the book, which documents around 70 of the best projects built over the past 10 years
Published: 23 July, 2007
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OSM's design for a show home at Stoke-on-Trent College |
House to haus
German timber house manufacturers are beginning to make their presence felt in the UK. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 15 July, 2007
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Being timber, KLH panels also score ahead of concrete and steel in terms of sustainability |
Concrete evidence
KLH UK’s cross-laminated timber can do anything concrete can – and often do it better. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 21 May, 2007
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The National Self Build & Renovation Centre was established by BuildStore |
One-stop self-build shop
The burgeoning UK self-build market now has its own 'superstore' – and timber construction forms one of the central features. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 06 April, 2007
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Creative timber technology was the theme for the Timber in Architecture conference |
Advanced ideas
The recent Timber in Architecture conference attracted around 70 architects. One of the speakers, Michael Buckley of World Hardwoods, reports
Published: 06 April, 2007
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A room in the roof provides extra floor space without adding to the footprint of the house |
Raising the roof
As housing densities and the cost of land rise, using the roof space as living space is a growing trend. Keren Fallwell reports
Published: 06 April, 2007
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Fashion floorshow
Timber flooring has enduring popularity, not least because it can adapt to changing trends. David Castle looks at what's in vogue
Published: 12 December, 2006
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Reclaimed oak and pine boards are ideal for restoration projects LASSCO |
Fashion floorshow
Timber flooring has enduring popularity, not least because it can adapt to changing trends. David Castle looks at what's in vogue
Published: 11 December, 2006
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Platz Haus expects the Komfort design to be popular in Britain |
Hybrid homes
Platz Haus is bringing its prefabricated houses, blending post and beam and closed panels, to the UK. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 11 December, 2006
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MiTek’s Posi-Joist system |
Joist Choice
Engineered flooring systems are proving their worth in property developments where speed, reliability, strength and flexibility are all important factors. David Castle reports
Published: 10 December, 2006
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Overall winner was Edward River House a country home in Deniliquin |
Winners of Oz
Australia's Timber Design Awards featured a host of projects using wood. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 10 December, 2006
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Prien Swimming Pool in Bavaria has a low mass to overcome problems with foundation conditions |
Olympic challenge
The 2012 London Olympics are an opportunity for timber to show off its aesthetic and sustainability credentials. Charles Trevor of wood for good reports
Published: 10 December, 2006
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The windows in the bridge between the new studio and Scroope Terrace have been placed deliberately high to emphasise the transition between building styles |
A study in green
Forget The Backs and King’s College chapel, Cambridge University architecture students will soon have a showpiece of sustainable construction for inspiration. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 23 October, 2006
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Automated technology produces the components and then the frames are put together on an assembly line |
Production line precision
Germany's timber frame home manufacturers have the UK in their sights. Stephen Powney reports from WeberHaus in the Black Forest
Published: 22 October, 2006
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Trinity Park Conference Centre, Ipswich. Entered by van Heyningen and Haward Architects.Featuring larch, European redwood, white wood and French oak
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The bold and the beautiful
This year's Wood Awards provides a tremendous showcase for the use of timber in UK building
Published: 19 October, 2006
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The roof lantern is designed to work like a south-facing conservatory |
Life begins at 60K
Kingspan Century is the most successful timber construction system supplier in the government's Design for Manufacture competition. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 17 October, 2006
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The Robin House's distinctive ‘ribbon’ roof |
Built-in health benefits
Three patient-focused healthcare centres in Scotland use timber to help create a feel-good factor. Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at Napier University's Centre for Timber Engineering, reports
Published: 12 October, 2006
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The ecoTECH house range covers a wide variety of styles and formats |
Prefabrication goes push button
New company ecoTECH is on the brink of bringing hi-tech Swedish timber housing to the UK. Mike Jeffree reports
Published: 10 October, 2006
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Frame raising day in Hampshire |
In harmony in Hampshire
A timber frame home incorporating old and new build methods is taking shape in Hampshire. Sally Spencer paid the Forest Energy House a visit
Published: 10 October, 2006
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The EcoHomes standard awards credits for responsible sourcing, such as this FSC-certified timber |
POINTS MEAN PRIZES – for timber
BREEAM and the new Ecohomes standard is becoming an integral part of construction. Rupert Oliver reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Ruth Slavid, editor of AJ Specification and AJ Online, talks to Richard Harris of Buro Happold (centre) and Gordon Cowley of Timber Engineering Connections |
Conference call
Almost 100 architects gathered to hear timber experts speak on the merits of building in timber. Michael Buckley reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Brian Mackay-Lyons’ designs are quintessentially modern, yet have their roots in the cultural landscape |
Using the vernacular
Peter Wilson, architect and director of business development at the Centre for Timber Engineering at Napier University, explores the architecture of Brian Mackay-Lyons
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Weald & Downland’s five-day Timber Framing from Scratch course introduces students to traditional oak framing, tools and techniques |
Going back to the future
Students on the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Timber Framing from Scratch course travel back in time to learn techniques that still hold true today. Rosemary Urquhart reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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The two town houses at Carmarthen Place, featuring untreated larch cladding
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Slovenia SE1
Solid timber panels are one of the latest forms of timber construction to hit the UK. Stephen Powney reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Stewart Milne has built a lot of apartment blocks in recent years; the aim now is to gain market share in the low-rise housing market |
Changing the landscape
Scottish timber frame manufacturer, the Stewart Milne Group, has ambitious plans to get the edge over brick and block construction in England. Will Anderson reports
Published: 20 July, 2006
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Lloyds Timber Frame produces a wide range of timber frame housing styles |
In the zone
It’s a sign of the sustainable times in UK construction that a specific “Timber Zone” makes its first appearance at the Interbuild exhibition in the NEC this year
Published: 13 April, 2006
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One of Hartwood’s garage buildings |
Do it ourselves
Makita claims its power tools make life easier for increasingly busy oak framed building producers. So our man Stephen Powney went to try them out at Hartwood Oak
Published: 13 April, 2006
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CTE’s research aims to take account of industry needs |
Sprucing up UK timber
The Centre for Timber Engineering is dedicated to helping the UK wood industry make the most of its opportunities in construction. Sally Spencer reports
Published: 13 April, 2006
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The Woodland Enterprise Centre is a prime example of the possibilities of building with locally-sourced timber |
Wood from the hood
Using locally-sourced material excited the passions of building professionals gathered for a seminar in a Sussex wood. David Castle was there
Published: 13 April, 2006
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