Curved Oak Conservatory – Hampshire
A bespoke glulam oak framework manufactured to receive curved double glazed units and finished with a dusting of white, transparent stain – showcasing the natural splendour of timber.
A large proportion of our commissions are for straight glulam beams, the sort you find specified for wall, floor or roof substructures. Yet, quite regularly we are contacted and asked if we can manufacture curved beams – and we can. For this specific commission, the challenge was to manufacture a complex combination of curved (and profiled) Oak glulam beams.
The complex curved oak structural framework and integral window framing once positioned were to be fitted with curved double glazed units. The tolerances where very tight – there was to be no flexibility within either the radius of the curve or the sizing of the glass units, so it was essential that the completed project was manufactured, supplied and fitted with millimetre perfect tolerances. This was achieved by ‘copy routing’ each beam using CNC cut steel templates. The connection design for this project added to its complexity. The resin was used to enable ‘moment connections’ (resistant to over-turning) which passed through all the principal beams.
Specification
- Project: Private commission
- Commission: Engineering design, manufacture and installation.
- Architects: David Kohn Architects, London
- Engineer: HRW, London
- Timescale: Six weeks engineering calculation / design. Twelve weeks fabrication. Two weeks on-site installation.
- Timber: European Oak
- Fixings: Stainless steel tie system / resin anchors
- Cost (approx): £2500 per square metre for engineering design, manufacture and installation.
