Modern Timber with Historic Inspiration

The new external timber façade to York St. Johns University is a testament to the historic Minster Cathedral that sits within its backdrop, with curved timber cladding panels mimicking its vertical architecture. The project, designed by Tate+Co delivers world class teaching facilities to a BREAAM excellent standard for the end client, The University of York – and uses FSC Siberian Larch, secret-fixing timber panels from BCL right across its external envelope.

The project has several challenges, notably in the design and manufacturing coordination of several unique timber panels and layouts, to create the varied textures of the building’s façade. All areas were designed in Revit to BIM Level 4 protocols, ensuring the smoothest delivery process possible and installed directly by BCL, providing the assurance of end-to-end package responsibility for the main contractor, Kier.

The wood cladding panels were FR treated via pressure impregnation to Euroclass B (EN13501-1) and manufactured in BCL’s ISO 9001 accredited factory environment. This, along with our secret-fixings, which increase durability and coating lifetime, delivers enhanced value and Approved Document B compliance for the project and an example of the unique added value that a design flexible timber panel system from BCL offers on large commercial projects.