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solving geometric challenges in timber for more than 25 years...
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Classroom Of The Future
COTF
 
COTF
 
Project
 

The timber based part of the egg is essentially a panelised structure with ribs and a shear diaphragm. Like a timber frame house really - but bent. The panels are nominally just under 1200 wide to suit standard cladding sheet widths. Ribs are made from 45mm thick Kerto 'Q' Laminated Veneer Lumber. Supplied in sheet form, it is CNC router cut to 200mm wide curved profiles and finger jointed to lengths.

 
COTF
 
The two dimensionally curved cladding panels are pressed from a combination of Finnish Birch Plywood and OSB4 to a robust 18mm thick unit. After assembly the units are shipped to a local GRP specialist to have the resin and glass fibre lay-up applied and finished with the blue flow coat.
COTF
 
COTF
 
The structure is formed in two lifts with the 'Wall' panels bolted to the perimeter of the steel RHS floor. A double curved, pressed 'U' shaped trimmer beam ties them together at head level to receive the 'Roof' units including Kerto rooflight trimming.
 
COTF1
 
Heavily dependent on a full and accurate computer model, the evolved shape does not readily pigeon hole into convenient terms like Ellipse, Arc, Parabola - an art form as much as a structural solution. It is 13700mm wide x 8500mm long x 5800 high supplied in 30 panels.
 
Site
Classroom Of The Future, St. Francis of Assissi Primary School, Treadgold Street, London, W11
 
Architect
Studio E Architects Ltd
 
Project Engineer
Techniker Ltd
 
Timber Engineer
Symonds Group Ltd
 
Contractor
Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd