Landscape & Urban Design Issue 43 2020 | Page 70

DECKING BOOST YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING WITH IRO TIMBER As the lighter nights and warmer weather arrive, we start to see the garden overtake the kitchen as the heart of the home during the summer months. BBQs and alfresco dining see friends and families gravitate to outdoor spaces, socialising and enjoying time outside. Did you know that that spending as little as 30 minutes a week in the garden can have a positive effect on your mental and physical wellbeing? But with an enticing outdoor space featuring IRO Timber, why stop at just half an hour? IRO Timber is an exclusive range of natural cladding and decking products that has been developed by BSW, the UK’s largest integrated forestry and sawmilling group. Each and every piece of IRO architectural timber is crafted using an intricate step process that combines an eye for detail with the latest timber technology. The result is a beautiful, unique product that adds character to a range of spaces 70 www.landud.co.uk and promotes a sense of wellness to be enjoyed by individuals soaking up some outdoor space. Inspired by the traditional Japanese method of Yakisugi, IRO is available in a range of 15 colours, from driftwood to dragon fruit, that are each designed to add charm to both indoor and outdoor environments. We’re combining one of the most traditional, environmentally- friendly materials with progressive design techniques to redefine how natural timber can be used in modern spaces. From cool urban outdoor living spaces and roof terraces to classic garden and patio inspiration, IRO Timber is versatile enough to transform any area. Featuring at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show as part of a collaborative installation called LAND, IRO timber played a key role in promoting wellness in nature. The installation consisted of a covered structure, using IRO decking in ‘charcoal’, which housed textile and botanical collections, taking inspiration from Japanese architectural simplicity and modernist buildings found in Palm Springs, California. LAND was driven by Laura Slater, a Leeds-based textile designer, and Zosia Berkieta-Lewis, founder of The Plant Room. Zosia said: “With the help of IRO Timber we were able to create a tranquil haven at the heart of RHS Chelsea Flower Show for visitors to escape to. We were delighted with the result.” In addition to being a low- maintenance but long-lasting alternative to traditional decking, IRO is UV stable and HVOC-free, meaning the product is both child- friendly and pet-friendly. With endless design possibilities, IRO can also be used inside as cladding as an alternative, unique design feature. Find out more about transforming your outdoor or indoor space with IRO Timber, visit www.irotimber.co.uk Follow us @ludmagazine