Project background

When commissioning their new headquarters the National Park Authority were keen that the building should not only provide a unique functional, adaptable and productive work space for their employees, but that it should also strongly reflect their core value of sustainability.

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Client

Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority

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Architects

Page & Park

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Throughout November & December last year and running in to January 2007 we had two carpentry teams in the Scottish Yard at Lintrathen cutting a Douglas Fir frame which will form the key structural component of  the new headquarters building for the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority.

The last timbers were erected and our crews came off site in the second week of May 2007. The final timbers to go in were, in fact, eight green oak posts at the entrance, which were specified for their durability since they’ll be permanently exposed to the elements.                              

The site works started at Balloch on 19th February, and were scheduled to run for 16 weeks. Therefore, our specialist carpentry crews have managed to complete the works comfortably within programme.

The project consists of  24 cross frames layed out in a sweeping S plan nearly 75m long and spanning close to 20m. The massive Douglas Fir columns and rafters are jointed using bolted steel flitch plates. As well as performing structurally the Douglas Fir timber frame will also be read prominently within the building and thus will be one of the principle aesthetic features of the finished building.

The Douglas fir frame nearing completion

As well as the timber frame we also included innovative load bearing and stability walls and a floor system into our package. These were designed to transfer the lateral and longitudinal forces acting through the structure.

This has been an exciting and challenging project for us and we look forward to seeing the completed structure.