Experts from the structural timber sector will come together on 6 November 2019 in London to address timber's use in the construction industry as a versatile and natural material undergoing a contemporary design resurgence.
Timber Talks will shine a spotlight on the 'best of the best' in structural timber featuring stellar guest speakers from the 2018 Structural Timber Awards winners, highly commended and finalists. This will give the audience the chance to hear more from the project delivery teams and for them to demonstrate the best in innovation, best practice and diversity across a range of sectors. The seminar will also provide a valuable networking opportunity where guests will be able to gain insights from industry leaders who are shaping the future of the construction industry.
The groundswell of interest in engineered timber is driven by both technological advances and concern for the environment and sustainable construction practices. It is undergoing a 'revival' where it is used in widespread applications delivering high-quality architecture to the realisation of cutting-edge structural engineering.
Successful residential developments are not the only timber projects under the spotlight. Kelly Harrison, Associate at Heyne Tillett Steel alongside Tom Foster, Design Director at Studio RHE will be presenting a case study on The Import Building. This new destination workplace has been created as part of the wider Republic masterplan in East India Dock, Tower Hamlets. Once the project is complete, the 650,000sq ft high-quality, low-cost commercial space will transform the workplace experience and is specifically designed to appeal to the world's fastest growing and dynamic businesses. The project is an excellent example of how the use of timber in commercial developments can provide an efficient, economical solution to an otherwise challenging brief without compromising design quality.
Another market sector featured during this seminar will be leisure where Frank Werling, Head of Technical Engineering and Designat Metsä Wood, will be presenting a case study on the new Center Parcs accommodation at Elveden Forest,which consists of three waterside lodges that are sensitively integrated on the bank of a beautiful lake. This new Center Parcs development complements the landscape and is the first accommodation to sit beside and overhang the lake at Elveden Forest.Inspired by the curved hulls of boats,the architect used arches to create the elegant shape with engineered timber the natural choice when compared to other materials.
Glulam and CLT technology also feature in the award-winning education project engineered by Eckersley O'Callaghan. Director Toby Ronalds will be speaking about the £8 million building, which houses the 25 metre swimming pool and teaching area at Freeman's School, Ashtead. This project is a brilliant example of project team collaboration, with architects Hawkins Brown, supplier Wiehag and main contractor Gilbert Ash, working together to deliver an exemplar building that has set new standards in quality and design.
