Mark Appleyard, Director, Woods
appearance can be achieved in
much softer and warmer feel than
Hardwick, explains: “As this was a
contrast to the traditional steel
you would come to expect in a
developer-led project, we’ve gone
framed constructions. While a steel
large-format food store”, says Mark
further with the sustainability
frame was specified for the low-level
Appleyard. “The big rooflight sheds
aspect of the design than would
back of house areas and loading bays,
natural daylight into the retail
typically be required, and have
an exposed glulam timber frame
space, which is further enhanced
achieved a BREEAM Very Good
was used for the main structure. The
by the full-height curtain walling,
rating. With sustainability appearing
single-storey supermarket is clad
giving an interesting well-lit airy and
more evidently within statutory
in a combination of curtain walling
environmentally comfortable space
requirements, the larger food retail
and timber structural insulated
for the customers to shop in.”
providers are more and more turning
panels (SIPs) faced in a larch outer
their attention towards sustainable
rainscreen. Larch was specified for
With any eco development,
architecture and design.”
its durability and low maintenance
there is always the danger of
characteristics, making it a long-term
the build looking out of place
cost effective cladding solution.
in its surrounding environment.
However, building an eco-friendly
structure that complements
However, with the Corby store,
The building is topped with
and more recently the Tesco Eco
compromising on the customer
Monodraught windcatchers which
store in Newmarket, architects at
experience, presents its own set of
are not only a statement feature,
Woods Hardwick considered the
design challenges. Using timber as
but also give sustainable natural
external environment, internal
a building material allows a unique
ventilation to the store. Rooflights
demands, BREEAM Benchmarks
and flexible design. It has inherent
provide natural daylight to the sales
and the supermarket’s own
aesthetic, textual and sensory
floor. On the roof are composite
high environmentally-conscious
qualities and as a result can be
panels with Trocal membrane finish.
standards. This holistic approach
utilised within buildings for structural
will leave a lasting legacy in both
purposes right through to decorative
“Due to the structural timber
finishes. A more textural and tactile
being exposed, the interior has a
environmental and building terms.
Page 147 - Archetech
the existing landscape, without