Bryant Homes, Calderpeel Architects And Prestoplan

07.05.2008 17:38:00

When Bryant Homes decided to press ahead with the construction of ten, six-storey apartment blocks on the banks of the River Mersey in Runcorn, the new homes developer specified timber frame, recognising the benefit of speed of build for this method of construction.

Leading UK timber frame manufacturer and designer Prestoplan was appointed as the timber frame supplier and, from the outset, worked closely with the architects, Calderpeel, to ensure a smooth construction process.

Prestoplan, which provides early design input as part of its comprehensive service, sent in its design team months ahead of the build. The team worked as a strategic project partner with Calderpeel to identify cost-effective design solutions that would meet the high specification needs of this scheme.

Explained Mark Massey, associate director at Calderpeel: “The majority of the build is quite straightforward, comprising timber frame units on a concrete transfer desk. However, we did give Prestoplan a number of design challenges to overcome. The first was a triangular shaped cowl at the front of each building which had to be created from wood.”

This was achieved by cantilevering galvanised steel beams out from the main structure at each floor level, as Ian Loughnane, Prestoplan’s technical director, explained: “We needed a solution that preserved the visual appearance of these substantial wing walls whilst resisting significant wind loads on this exposed site.”

Prestoplan’s technical team also worked with the architects to recommend and create large vents in the roof design. Without these, a giant wind tunnel effect would have been created.

Commented Ian: “I believe the spaces in the roof design add to the overall look of the finished buildings and help to disperse light across all four sides. It’s an example of how engineering, as well as solving a problem, can enhance the overall aesthetics. Working with Calderpeel we believe we ended up with a building that is visually exciting and we’re all quite proud of the end result.”

Mark added: “Another challenge was to demonstrate how the different construction materials, such as steel window frames and structural frame, could work together in preventing unnecessary stresses. Again Prestoplan provided the solution – in this instance it was a case of supporting the steel frames directly on the timber shell and detailing the cladding system in such a way that the natural movement of the frame could be accommodated without compromising the aesthetics or the long term integrity of the cladding system.

A total of 466 one and two bedroom apartments, each with parking, are being built in ten ‘architectural vessels’ at The Deck. They are ‘moored’ in a prominent location on the quayside of the Mersey and only a few miles from Runcorn town centre. Sales are progressing well and the first group of apartments have already been sold off plan.

Mark concluded: “It is taking around 14 months to construct each apartment building. Timber frame has all the obvious advantages of quicker construction, enabling the plumbers, electricians, roofers and plasterers on site far earlier than under traditional construction methods.

“We anticipate that by specifying timber frame, Bryant Homes has saved months on the total construction time of each apartment building.”

Ian Loughnane concluded: “Working in partnership with developers to overcome the unique challenges they face is a fundamental element of our service. The beauty of timber frame is that it significantly simplifies on-site construction, promotes greater efficiency and offers greater control of the construction process, not to mention lower project costs.

“Forward-thinking developers like Bryant Homes are increasingly turning to timber frame as the construction sector moves away from traditional brick and block methods.”

ENDS

Client name: Prestoplan

Web link: http://www.prestoplan.co.uk/