Structural Designer
Arup
Client Name
Architectural Association School of Architecture
Location
Dorset, UK
AA Design & Make Supported by the tutors and staff of Hooke Park, students of the Architectural Association's Design & Make programme led the design and fabrication process of the Woodchip Barn project.
Jack Draper Dorset-based craftsman and furniture maker Jack Draper was responsible for project coordination and site management throughout the build phase of the Woodchip Barn project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Located in Hooke Park, a woodland which serves as a test ground for experimental timber structures, the barn was part of a student competition to design a storage barn. The structure would use Beech trees harvested from the local forest.
A prime concept of the project was to use “Y” shaped tree fork junctions structurally, so that the natural strength of these joints was exploited. The timbers were 3D scanned, enabling fabrication using a seven-axis robotic arm.
Judge's comment: Using natural materials - forked trees made possible because of modern geometrical scanning devices - an attractive and entirely 'in keeping with the surroundings' building has been produced. An excellent example of using new technology to create a seemingly traditional solution.
Judge's comment:
Using natural materials - forked trees made possible because of modern geometrical scanning devices - an attractive and entirely 'in keeping with the surroundings' building has been produced. An excellent example of using new technology to create a seemingly traditional solution.