The Bamford Library Building
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Scotts Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) was used for the construction of the structure in conjunction with carbon steel tendons. 6mm diameter hangers were installed to ensure the tie rods had a positive camber. The columns were shaped like ships spars by planing round, a process that can be simpler than turning where there is no shape to the columns. A saw kerf slot was cut down one side to act as a relief point for the shrinkage. (Photo courtesy of Harper Adams)
The Pine for this structure was supplied by a specialist timber merchant who specialised in, among other things, timber for Windmill Spars, where durability is a particular requirement as they are fully exposed to the weather. Slow grown Pine from the northern latitudes is ideal and constitutes the timber of choice for some of the worlds oldest structures such as the Loft Houses and Stave Churches of Norway. (Photo courtesy of Harper Adams)
Built in conjunction with Aedas Architects and Thomas Vale Builders for Harper Adams College and largely funded by John Bamford of JCB. The Green Oak Carpentry Company were appointed for the detailed design and installation on the basis of a negotiated contract as we were deemed most able to bring the necessary skills required for the project. External columns were over 8 metres long and particular attention was given to the connection detail at the foot to ensure longevity.
The main rafters set over the Y frames of the structure are stupendous pieces of timber, over 12 metres in length and 350 x 200mm in section each was sawn as boxed heart from a single tree of exceptional stature. This is a good illustration of exemplary forestry dedicated to the production of high quality timber.
With over 25 annual growth rings to the inch (often many more) this superb timber will last many years. Note that the column base is kept out of the splash zone ensuring many years of service. Coating the surface with a high quality cold pressed Linseed Oil also helps longevity, and in particular sealing the exposed end grain of the timber which is much more porous than cross-grain.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
Assembly sequence: scroll through the slides to get a feel for the enormity of assembling a structure of this size.
“"Everyone is very impressed with the finished result and I thought I would just take the opportunity of belatedly giving my thanks to you and your team for a job very well done. I have submitted the bridge for a Civic Society award for next year and have every expectation of its success."
P White, Northholt & Greenford Countryside Park Manager
“"Thank you for the frame that you have just finished at Rogate. It was a miserable wet day, yesterday and John and team carried on regardless. We are delighted with the overall look and also the mouldings to the members. As usual, the frame was millimetre accurate and will be easy to take forward to complete the building."
Bob, Trembath Associates
“"We wanted to write to you to express our profound gratitude for the excellent work you have done on our building scheme. It cannot have been easy to pick up the project from another architect when there were still a number of issues unresolved, but you have done so brilliantly and remained calm throughout, even at fraught times. We really do appreciate that you have gone the extra mile for us. We have all enjoyed working with you and have been so impressed with the quality of your work."
Alastair, The Early Years Project
“"Seems a long time since we finished with the garden room project but we have to say that it has been a huge success in every aspect. The room has become the place of choice for visitors. I can guarantee that everyone, yes everyone who visits, is blown away by the frame."
Mel, Moat Farm
“"Just a quick note to say thank you for sending such a great team to do the work. As well as clearly being very hardworking and hugely skilled, Mick, Andy, Clark and Dave were all exceptionally pleasant, considerate and cheerful guys to have around, and as such a huge credit to Green Oak."
Julia, Crabfields Farm