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:
This is a beautiful walkway. Despite using massive timber poles, it appears to tiptoe through the woodland because the overall stability is only provided by delicate steel cable tie downs. The overall effect is of a structure that seems entirely at home within its surroundings.