Accoya offers alpine advantage
Accoya cladding was specified for a striking villa in northern Italy because it met the owner’s requirements for an eco-friendly property.
The villa, designed by Camillo Botticini Architetto, is situated near the Passo Del Cavallo at the foot of the Alps and the area’s demanding climate, with year-round humidity and a low of -1.5degC in the winter and high of 28degC in the summer, was another reason for choosing Accoya.
The modified timber cladding is 75% less likely to shrink and swell in the damp, foggy winters, while in the summer its structural integrity remains intact as temperatures rise. "While the design of the property was to be architecturally expressive and impactful, building materials such as Accoya offered an opportunity to build something which had little impact on the environment and would help it to blend in," said Camillo Botticini.
"Accoya works both by supporting the environmental objectives of the build while also providing a strong, superior cladding which is able to withstand wet winters and hot summers with little maintenance compared to competitor products."
Lunawood luxury
Lunawood was one of the key suppliers for a luxury hotel in Turkey, where heat and humidity can pose challenges for timber.
A total of 27,000m2 of the Finnish thermowood was used in the facades of the Maxx Royal Kemer Grand Boutique’s 300 suites and villas.
Lunawood was specified because it fitted with the hotel’s eco concept, and because of its performance properties, said Oya Orbey from Ilkay, which represents Lunawood in Turkey. "In southern Turkey, where the hotel is located, the temperature can go up to 45- 50ºC during the summer.
At the same time the humidity is as high as 80%. Moreover, the temperature can vary by 15-20ºC between day and night. This requires special features from the wood," she said.
Lignia comes out top
Lignia worktops are a feature of the apartments in the new Merchant Square development in Paddington, London. Architect Robin Partington & Partners (RPP), which has designed four of the six buildings on the 1.6ha site, specified Lignia for the kitchen bars because of its durability. In 3 Merchant Square, which is completed, it was used in each of the 170 apartments and in the bathroom of one of the penthouses.
RPP plans to use Lignia again in the kitchens of the 208 apartments of 1 Merchant Square, and the 56 apartments in 6 Merchant Square.
Accoya sits comfortably with furniture makers
A new Dutch furniture business, Maasstoel, is using Accoya to craft its range of minimalist furniture, from the iconic snake bench to a high-backed chair.
The joint venture of architect Anton Mijs and designer and joinery Nils Verweji specialises in creating durable furniture from natural materials.
"We wanted to ensure that the wood we used for our furniture was suitable for outdoor use and that it was as natural and ecologically friendly as possible," said Anton Mijs.
"After developing several protoype pieces we decided that Accoya was the ideal partner for Maasstoel. The aesthetics of the wood complement our designs, and the fact it can withstand even the toughest climate outdoors without any coating or treatment is a real bonus for our customers."
The duo’s most complicated project to date is a round table top made from triangular planks of Accoya which are radially arranged from the centre and joined to one another.
Accoya scores top marks
Accoya’s durability and environmental credentials won it a place in the extension and modernisation of a school in Bergen Op Zoom in the Netherlands.
Architects grassodenridder_architecten wanted a product with a natural appearance for the external facades. It was also important that the material contrasted with the dark grey brickwork of the expansion and complemented the concrete blocks and façade of the existing building.
"Seeing the condition of the school before work began drove us to find a product which would provide longevity. We didn’t want the building’s exterior to deteriorate as it aged – we wanted the school children in the future to enjoy the building as much as children of today will," said architect Stefan Grasso.
The job required more than 150m2 of Accoya. "It was used without any treatments, oils or paints so it is a beautiful silver shade of grey which perfectly complements the concrete blocks of the existing school building.
Cladding challenge
Kebony cladding has provided contemporary style to a chapel in Mölndal, Sweden. Rounded elevations and an asymmetrical shape meant the choice of cladding material was a challenge and the architects opted for Kebony for its appearance and performance. The chapel sits in a forest and Kebony, which will grey over time, will help the building blend with its surroundings.
The entrance to the chapel features an oiled oak façade, while the interior is dominated by birch plywood walls and ceilings.
"We looked hard for a wood that could be ready for use form day one without requiring treatment or ongoing maintenance," said project architect Christer Malmström.
"Early on we decided to use Kebony as it fulfilled the requirements of shape, durability and appearance."
