Heat treatment and glulam technology have been combined for one of the first times in the design of a wooden structure for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
Finnforest (UK) Ltd supplied its ThermoWood heat treated timber for the £25,000 A-frame structure which is designed to highlight the work of the charity Shelter at the May 19-23 show.
Cowley Structural Timberwork is currently assembling the glulam frame, which also incorporates a green roofing system consisting of wooden troughs.
Architectural consultant Jeff Dutt, who designed the building, said using ThermoWood instead of normal timber improves the building’s rigidity by about 7% but means strength properties are down by 3-4%. He used his experience of designing low cost housing in the structure.
The building’s top floor is a children’s play area and the lower level is an entertaining space.
After the show the structure will be sold to raise funds for charity Shelter.
