Metsä Wood’s (formerly Finnforest) Kerto and glulam have been used in the new Ron Cooke Hub at the University of York.
The Hub, which has a total floor area of 6,300m², houses offices, a lecture theatre, an immersive sound and visual demonstration space and study pods, all of which cluster around the grand hall which is designed to encourage the exchange of ideas.
Glulam was used for the curved roof beams which span the building’s grand hall, and Kerto was specified for the roof covering. The glulam beams have a maximum clear span of 25m and maximum depth of 1.4m.
Kerto Q was used as a panel system in the construction of the roof in conjunction with the GL32 grade glulam. The 42mm Kerto Q plates were specified as they created a structural diaphragm action for the roof and removed the need for additional purlins.
Elizabeth Heaps, pro vice-chancellor for Estates and Strategic Projects at the University of York, said the “remarkable span” of the glulam unified the whole atrium, “creating an exciting and attractive space, with a soft acoustic”.
Kevin Riley, Metsä Wood’s vice-president construction industry, said the project illustrated “the effectiveness of combining wood, steel and glass within a roofing solution”.
The Hub was designed by BDP.