Two Associated Architects projects were recognised at this year’s Structural Timber Awards: a “celebration of outstanding projects and what can be achieved using the most natural and sustainable of materials”.
Winning in the Healthcare category, The Green at St Richard’s Hospice infilled a large central courtyard to create a flexible multi-functional “buzz” area in a central location, where most of the wellness activities are clustered. A contemporary form of Winter Garden has been created using the tree-like language of the entrance canopy to form its dramatic timber roof structure. The architectural character grows from the vision and values of the Hospice, with daylight-filled spaces and natural materials used throughout to create a warm and uplifting, hope-filled architecture.
The design uses laminated timber to create strong architectural tree-like columns defining a spectacular new top-lit space at the heart of the Hospice, roofed with off-site fabricated timber coffers. The abstracted timber trees are repeated in a new warm and welcoming entrance, overcoming the challenges of confused and constrained existing buildings. The new building has minimal energy and carbon footprint, near-Passivhaus performance, and a pioneering use of healthy building materials. Avoiding any institutional or overly medical character, these combine to create subtle gentle and uplifting architecture with a variety of humane, distinctive, and intimate spaces.
St Richard’s Hospice Chief Executive, June Patel said, “There is a tranquillity and beauty in the design which has an instant impact on people the moment they step into the building. Enormous thought has gone into creating spaces which are uplifting, light, and healthy environments – instantly promoting wellbeing.”
Team:
- St Richard’s Hospice
- Constructional Timber
- Shire Consulting
- Couch Perry Wilkes
- Speller Metcalfe
- Carlton Smith
Additionally, Cyber Quarter was Highly Commended in the Commercial Project of the Year category, and in the Engineer of the Year category for Ramboll. It is a trailblazing multi-purpose centre of excellence in a highly sustainable building, utilising a CLT frame, timber finishes, and striking glulam structure. Located within Skylon Business Park’s Enterprise Zone in the leafy outskirts of Hereford, the building is constructed using a glulam and CLT frame of Silver Fir, Larch, and Spruce from managed sources, with a high quality exposed visual timber finish. It is extremely sustainable with very low-embodied carbon – the full CLT and glulam hybrid structure has sequestered 30 tonnes of CO2e (the equivalent steel/concrete equivalent would have emitted 563 tonnes of CO2e). Timber is used as the visual language throughout to create a natural aesthetic both inside and out that provides a calming and inspirational environment for working and collaboration throughout. Through a collaborative, ‘one team’ approach which engendered a positive and progressive project environment, several significant challenges were successfully overcome including keeping the CLT structure dry during the worst flooding the area had ever seen.
Team:
- University of Wolverhampton and Herefordshire Council
- Hybrid Structures
- Speller Metcalfe
- Cundall
- Ramboll
- Gleeds
- Couch Perry Wilkes
