Refurb Projects - November 2018

EDUCATION INFRASTRUCTURE
Accoya® selected by the prestigious Cambridge
University for unique botanic gardens project
Accoya® wood has been
specified for an integral part
of the ‘Understanding Plant
Diversity’ project in
Cambridge University’s Botanic
Gardens, one of the largest
university-owned botanic gardens in
the world. Following an invited
competition in the summer of 2016,
Chadwick Dryer Clarke was appointed
as the project lead to create a path
structure to inspire and intrigue
visitors. ‘The Rising Path’, a galvanised
steel structure clad with Accoya®
wood balustrades and decking, was
created to meet the brief.
The 65 metre long dynamic
spiral, which has a three-metre high
elevated viewpoint, features an
interpretation hub designed to
inspire visitors to explore the
garden’s Systematic Beds and offer
new ways to explore the science of
plant taxonomy.
Robin Dryer, Director of
Chadwick Dryer Clarke, commented:
“During the development of the
design we considered various types
of wood, and it was Sustainable
Building Advisor, Alexander Reeve,
from the Cambridge University
Estates Department who first
suggested Accoya® wood due to its
outstanding environmental
qualities.”
He adds, “Following further
investigations into the product and
meetings with Justin Peckham, Head
of UK Sales at Accsys Group, it was
decided that Accoya® wood not only
provided the necessary durability
and sustainability qualities - with its
C2C accreditation and 50 year above
ground guarantee - but it could be
machined to a smooth finish and
had a complementary light colour
and knot free surface that would
enhance the design.”
The balusters were 38x100mm
sections, end sealed with Osmo and
grain sealing wax. Over 1,300 linear
metres of non-slip Accoya® wood
decking supplied by Gripsure was
installed in four meter lengths and
cut down to 22x142mm sections
with two non-slip strips and stair
treads with special contract edges,
as well as a series of bespoke nonslip
resin supergraphics where letters
and numbers, each corresponding to
a different aspect in the evolution
of plants, are routed into the deck,
for both aesthetic and educational
appeal.
An installation by Designmap
which has also been made from
Accoya® wood is designed to
educate visitors as they enter the
Botanic Gardens. The structure was
crafted to add an extra dimension to
the newly opened site.
Accoya® wood is produced using
Accsys Group’s proprietary
acetylation process, which
chemically alters the cell structure
of the wood to resist distortion.
Certified Cradle to Cradle (C2C)
Gold in recognition of its
sustainability credentials, Accoya®
wood has the added benefit of
offering peace of mind for the
environmentally conscious.
Accoya is wood, but not as you
know it. It’s stable, durable and
sustainable. Modified using Accsys
Group’s proprietary acetylation
process, a cutting-edge patented
technology, this high-performance
non-toxic wood resists rot, defies
elements and stays strong for
decades. Accoya is sourced from
FSC certified forests making it the
sustainable choice. With a guarantee
of 50 years above ground and 25
years in ground or freshwater,
Accoya is low maintenance and
offers value for money. From joinery
for the home to award winning
architectural projects, Accoya wood
is a world-leading material that
stands up to every application
challenge – windows, doors and
more!
Accoya® wood is available to buy
throughout the UK and Ireland.
www.accoya.com.
14 NOVEMBER 2018, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS