CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER
1. DURABILITY
2. FIRE
3. LOAD BEARING
4. SOUND
1. 20mm larch rainscreen cladding
2. Black aluminium insect mesh
3. 40x50mm counter batten
4. DPM
5. 100mm insulation
6. 94mm structural CLTv
7. 80x25 batten
8. Ventilation gap
9. Insulation backed cement board
10. Insulation
11. Waterproof membrane
12. MDF skirting board
13. 20mm CLT floor surface
14. Underfloor heating pipes
15. Insulation for underfloor heating
16. 550mm concrete pile foundation
17. Insitu concrete
18. Ground level
19. Drainage gully
UNDERSTANDING THE DETAILS
RITBLAT BUILDING, HAWKINS\BROWN
Understanding materials through analysing precedent
THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Part of Hilden Grange preparatory school, Ritblat building is renovation of old school buildings to enhance the education and life of the school. Architects Hawkins\Brown used CLT as the main structural components within the buildings, apart from one semi underground dining hall which uses steel. By analysing how the architects approached the design and structure of the building allows me to gain insight and understanding of CLT as tool and develop creative ways of using it within the Leaf St scheme.
The buildings were built within one school year, a key factor when redesigning a school, allowing for minimum disruption. What allowed the building to have such a short construction process was the ease of the CLT as a structural component. Prefabricated off site the panels are then brought onto site where they are put into place quickly by cranes. The axo shows the simplicity of the process, allowing the walls to hold the weight of the roof. The speed in which the structural process is completed allows for time in constructing the cladding and exterior design elements.
Timber
Timber
As a product CLT was developed in the early 1990's in Austria. Since then the material has been introduced and stretched further in the construction industry due to its many redeeming factors. These include its durabilty, its prefabricated nature which allows speed in construction, its ability to load bare and lighter nature also means that foundations can be smaller. CLT also has good insulation and natural ventilation qualities, good sound insulation and has strong fire performance. These qualities are all elements of what is needed in the retail units of my scheme. The small buildings allow for CLT to be used as the structural component and the qualities that the material bring will all be beneficial in retail space.
WHAT IS CLT?
APPLYING THE MATERIAL TO RETAIL
CLT will be used in the Retail Units of the Leaf St scheme. This is where the community and those training in the training centre will engage. These spaces need to be light, open and honest. Structural honesty is something which I want to maintain, the rawness and simplicity of CLT conceptually I feel works well within this scheme. The material also meets two of the four key values laid out in choosing materials.
RETAIL UNITS
Retail units
Foundations layed
CLT as main structural component of the Retail Units
CLT exterior walls add to structure, and help support roof
Roof also uses CLT and is supported by the structural panels