Transcendental in its calmness and simplicity is how the 2007 Wood Awards judges described the new timber-framed swimming pool in Formby, Lancashire, as they presented it with their top ‘Gold’ prize. But transcendental and calm is not how the lead architect on the building felt about it at certain times during construction – and that was due to issues with the wood.
Andy Couling of FCB Studios says he and his colleagues are keen on timber and get excited about trying new materials. So they were looking forward to using laminated veneer lumber (the Kerto brand from Finnforest) for the first time at Formby. They actually went to Finland to look at LVL-framed buildings and see it being made. They also took a dip in a forest lake near Finnforest’s factory to capture the tranquil ambience they wanted in the pool!
Back in Lancashire, the architects had no problems with the LVL itself. It’s strength, versatility and the fact that it’s a less polished material than, say glulam, pressed all their creative buttons and it has since performed as promised. What also went swimmingly was the production and erection of the key structural LVL components, all handled by the experts at Constructional Timber.
Where the calmness ebbed away, however, was when less timber-experienced site workers came into contact with the LVL. They knocked lumps out of it and left sections exposed to the Lancashire elements. As a result, new material had to be sent from Finland, holding up the build.
The experience won’t put FCB Studios off using LVL or other timber products. But, said Mr Couling, it does hold lessons for the timber industry: notably the need for more timber education of the UK construction sector generally and for more specialist whole-solution wood building specialists like Constructional Timber. The pay-off would be calmer architects and ultimately more business for the timber trade.
Formby Pool features in the next edition of TTJ’s sister magazine, Timber Building.
