This mass timber building, constructed with an exposed glulam and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) frame, suffered a significant fire affecting its top floor in late 2023. Rather than replacing the fire-damaged timber, as has traditionally been the approach for mass timber structures, the project developed a process to remediate and repair the existing structure. This approach delivered significant savings for the insurer while demonstrating an alternative to full replacement, which highlights the potential for repair-led solutions to support the wider use of mass timber in future developments.
This pioneering project challenges assumptions about the treatment of fire-damaged mass timber buildings. Through extensive testing, investigation and engineering analysis, the team demonstrated that significant areas of the structure could be retained and repaired rather than replaced. Judges recognised both the substantial carbon savings and the wider implications for future practice. By developing a robust methodology for post-fire assessment and remediation, the project advances professional understanding of timber performance and establishes an important precedent for sustainable repair strategies.