STIHL Treetop Walkway, Westonbirt
Structural Designer
BuroHappold Engineering
Client Name
Forestry Commission
Location
Tetbury, Gloucestershire, UK
ARCHITECTS
Glenn Howells Architects
CONSULTANTS
PMP Consultants
CONSTRUCTION
Speller Metcalfe
MANUFACTURE
SH Structures
Images: © BuroHappold
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The UK's longest treetop walkway at 280m, this project is the crowning glory of redevelopment at Westonbirt Arboretum, opening up new vistas and helping visitors learn more about trees.
The structure consists of 57 crossing timber legs, machined to a gently tapering cigar shape from solid larch and Douglas fir sections. The legs support a flowing timber and steel walkway.
Judge's comment:
The judges were impressed with the sensitivity of the walkway to its environment and its adaptability to fit supports around existing tree roots. The vertical tie arrangement provides an elegant solution enabling lateral loads to be sustained whilst avoiding the complexities of connecting the timber legs.