Work commences on mixed use Stirling project
September 21 2011
Utilising cross laminated timber (imported from Austria) the development will provide commercial shop units along its ground floor with zinc clad residential units above.
Funded by the Town Centre Regeneration Fund the project will employ a range of energy saving features – including solar/thermal water heating, air exchange heat source and ventilation stacks.
These will help deliver an estimated 60% reduction in carbon usage from 2007 levels.
Project Architect Stephen Miles said: “For the original design concept, we were interested in developing a holistic model for sustainable building, investigating the benefits of off site manufacture and material properties, as well as energy performance.
“The carbon dioxide ‘offset’ for the project is 150 tonnes, given the density and volume of timber being used on the project. The CLT frame also provides a substantial thermal mass, which is incredibly air tight. This was key in our approach, and informed the design of the micro-renewables.”
Roy Easton Company are acting as structural engineers on the project which is being built by Cruden Homes East.
The £750k development is scheduled to complete in January 2012.
It had been hoped to source Scottish timber - but suppliers here don't currently supply cross laminated timber
The development sits in the shadow of Stirling Castle
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9 Comments
#1 Posted by richard heggie on 21 Sep 2011 at 16:02 PM
It's a shame the timber is being imported from Austria, but hopefully this project is another useful step towards commercial production of construction systems using home grown timber.
#2 Posted by Ian McAslan on 21 Sep 2011 at 16:13 PM
Nice looking timber, doesn't look like it's treated so it is intended to have a grey facade in 6 months?
#3 Posted by Stephen miles on 21 Sep 2011 at 16:18 PM
Your absolutely right Richard.
The market is Scotland is not yet there, but the nice folks at Wood Studio (Napier) are currently investigating the viability of Sitka spruce as a raw material. The potential to unlock the forestry reserve in Scotland for a high value construction product could be very interesting.
The market is Scotland is not yet there, but the nice folks at Wood Studio (Napier) are currently investigating the viability of Sitka spruce as a raw material. The potential to unlock the forestry reserve in Scotland for a high value construction product could be very interesting.
#4 Posted by richard heggie on 21 Sep 2011 at 17:45 PM
Stephen, could be more than interesting - an enormous opportunity to build a new indigenous manufacturing base for Scotland, from raw material to production and long term carbon capture. Not sure the Scottish Government has yet realised the importance of this opportunity, as a natural extension of their support for renewables and sustainable economic development.
#5 Posted by stephen lynas on 22 Sep 2011 at 13:39 PM
Stephen - does the Co2 reduction of 60% stated take account of the transportation costs of the timber components from Austria?
#6 Posted by Stephen Miles on 22 Sep 2011 at 15:58 PM
@Stephen Lynas
Unfortunately it does not, I would love to tell you otherwise. The current regulations are not complex enough to take into account material transfer and supply chain, conversely they also do not understand embodied carbon and carbon dioxide offset - so the conversation is flawed either way. More importantly we just do not have any other option in Scotland. You will understand that all of our timber kit predominantly comes from Europe as well. The key thing is about promoting a sustainable building method which 'could' be viable for home grown timber. However, it will not be me that starts that conversation, it needs timber manufacturers and sawmills, the Scottish forestry reserve, and a whole lot of other people in high places.
Unfortunately it does not, I would love to tell you otherwise. The current regulations are not complex enough to take into account material transfer and supply chain, conversely they also do not understand embodied carbon and carbon dioxide offset - so the conversation is flawed either way. More importantly we just do not have any other option in Scotland. You will understand that all of our timber kit predominantly comes from Europe as well. The key thing is about promoting a sustainable building method which 'could' be viable for home grown timber. However, it will not be me that starts that conversation, it needs timber manufacturers and sawmills, the Scottish forestry reserve, and a whole lot of other people in high places.
#7 Posted by Matt Bridgestock on 22 Sep 2011 at 16:56 PM
Fortunately there are moves to bring manufacturing of Massive Timber to the UK, on a both a large commercial scale together with a smaller scale. Commercial scale will require a reasonably buoyant industry but has got a few people and organisations in 'high places' behind it and plans for prototyping. There is Brettstapel (a glueless form of cross laminated timber) being manufactured in Wales for a visitors centre project, quite a large project being built by a small bespoke timber sawmill. So it is possible that with increased demand, more manufactures could offer both products.
As stephen points out Napier University are doing a lot of good work / research in this area at present.
As stephen points out Napier University are doing a lot of good work / research in this area at present.
#8 Posted by Confused! on 22 Sep 2011 at 18:11 PM
Where are the snide remarks and anonymous sniping? These comments seem a bit enlightened?!
Donald Trump's proposing what, you say?.......
Donald Trump's proposing what, you say?.......
#9 Posted by The Bairn (in the woodpile) on 23 Sep 2011 at 18:08 PM
Okay folks a snide comment you asked for etc... not a criticism as such but how long before the zinc cladding goes awol due to the opportunism of local neds with a keen interest in the scrap metal ibusiness? Easy as ABC.
SmartWater marked I trust Stephen!!
SmartWater marked I trust Stephen!!
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