Synopsis
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority headquarters (Carrochan) have both recently received the Scottish Design Awards Engineering Design prize for their use of sustainable construction materials and innovative building services solutions. The two buildings incorporated exposed green Douglas fir timber frames, although they have quite different functions and used different timber frame geometries and jointing methodologies.
This article presents the background and design methods used to develop the green Douglas fir timber frames and connection designs in these two projects. It provides an overview of the lessons learnt regarding sustainability credentials and current industry practices, which at present discourage more widespread use of this type of construction.