HawkinsBrown has finished a 33-metre-high apartment block in London’s Shoreditch, which the studio claims is “the tallest constructing to use structural cross-laminated timber in Europe” .
Named The Cube, the ten-storey residential building was constructed using a hybrid framework that is primarily cross-laminated timber (CLT), but also integrates steel factors and a reinforced-concrete core.
London studio Hawkins/Brown believes it is the tallest example of its type on the continent, and demonstrates the opportunities for utilizing hybrid construction to make substantial-rise buildings much more sustainable.
“The Cube breaks new ground and demonstrates the wonderful potential of cross-laminated timber as a materials that permits speedy building with a diminished environmental impact,” explained practice associate Alex Smith.
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CLT is an engineered wood formed by glueing collectively numerous layers of lumber at appropriate angles to each other, creating it a lot more powerful and far more rigid than typical wood. Other examples of its use in architecture consist of OOPEAA’s Finlandia Prize-winning Puukuokka apartment block in Finland.
By combining this materials with steel members, the architects have been ready to develop a more complex structure featuring several cantilevered overhangs.
The program was designed by timber and steel professional B+K Structures. Both the CLT panels and the steel frame have been produced offsite, then mixed throughout building.
The Cube is located beside the Wenlock Canal basin. With a total floor location of six,750 square metres, it accommodates 50 apartments – between four and six per floor.
To offer you residents views up and down the canal basin, or across the park to the east, HawkinsBrown designed a twisted cruciform plan that gives all of the apartments 3 external walls.
“The cruciform layout of the advancement is an important issue in the good quality of the apartments – houses with three external walls have excellent accessibility to natural light and can be effectively cross-ventilated, generating them far more relaxed during hot climate,” explained Smith.
“It also creates superb views, which we have maximised by making sure every single apartment has a good-sized balcony or terrace.”
This arrangement also forms courtyards at the four corners of the plot – something the design and style staff describe as turning the conventional inward-hunting courtyard block on its head.
Externally the block is clad in two components a black brick display wall creates a visual affinity with the neighbouring buildings of the surrounding conservation area, while other sections are covered in slatted western-red cedar.
The venture was finished for London property developer Regal Homes, and also contains approximately 1,200 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor.
“The Cube was developed to be a pioneer of architectural possibilities, pushing the boundaries of residential construction and developing houses that are also performs of art,” explained CEO Simon de Friend.
“Arguably the ‘unbuildable building’, our in-house development arm has broken new ground with this venture and we will seem to creating on this legacy with further CLT developments in the imminent future.”
Photography is by Jack Hobhouse.
Project credits:
Architect: HawkinsBrown
Arranging consultant: Signet Preparing
Structural engineer: Pringuer James Consulting Engineers
Providers engineer: Spencer Mayes
Primary contractor: Regal Houses
CLT/steel subcontractor: B+K Structures
CLT engineer: Engenuiti
Sustainability advisor: JS Lewis Ltd
Transport advisor: i-Transport
