New timber buildings

[Cloudscape]

I'm seeing so many buildings in the last 15 years - some offices, but mainly blocks of flats (sorry, I mean "apartments"...) where timber has been used externally.

I really think it's been done to give buildings a slightly 'greener' feel and bring back natural materials to soften the urban environment (yeah, right :roll: - and to make it easier to get planning permission).

In some cases, the timber looks parched and discoloured after a year. Coupled with the overuse of galvanized metal and exposed girders, some the "apartments" look like something from downtown Bosnia, and these are supposed to be 'showcase developments'.

No offence to downtown Bosnia. :shock:

 

[Ian Bond]

You didn't run into DaveBrigg when you were in Bosnia by any chance did you? (see thread on Manchester!)

 

[Cloudscape]

Manchester? Who mentioned Manchester? :wink:

 

[michael]

Re:- The Maritime museum Falmouth .
Total architectural confusion.
Is it a barn? Is it an aircraft hanger? What are all the ventilation slots for? Perhaps its doubling up as some sort of water cooling plant. Shame also that they’ve left a Porta cabin bolted on the side.

A maritime museum you say. Then why couldn’t they have applied a bit of dignity to the design. You don’t have to look any further than Greenwich in London to see fine elegant examples of naval buildings from the past that have stood the test of time and still stand head and shoulders above any of the contemporary counterparts.

I know we’ve got to move forwards but sometimes when I see things like this I actually think we are going backwards. I worked for many years in the "modern” building industry" and made acquaintance with a number of architects. Can you believe it, a large number of the younger architects had never even been abroad. How can you even begin to form great designs in you’re head if first you haven’t wondered over the great historic buildings of our neighbouring European cities. Italy in particular.

 

[Cloudscape]

Re:- The Maritime museum Falmouth .
Total architectural confusion.
Is it a barn? Is it an aircraft hanger?

I think it's neo-brutalism

 

[biffvernon]

I like it. The grey timber looks just the thing for a grey seascape.

And I love the colours in Penners' pic. Everything in its place.

 

[chuckey]

Saw some drawings the cave men had done on the face of cliffs in Sweden, guess what colour they were? red!! 2000 years old and honestly they are in need of a touch up.
As for timber framed houses, the longevity of them depends on the integrity of the vapour proof membrane, that stops the dampness in your breath from condensing within the thickness of the outside walls. This means the life of the building is totally determined by the detailing and the ability of the builders to a good job, and for people not to modify them, such as by hanging a mirror on an outside wall using a fixing longer then 13mm.
Frank

 

[biffvernon]

As for timber framed houses, the longevity of them depends on the integrity of the vapour proof membrane,

Right, so all those 16th century timber framed houses built half a millennium before vapour proof membranes were invented...Oh, it's you, Frank :roll:

 

[MdB]

As for timber framed houses, the longevity of them depends on the integrity of the vapour proof membrane,

Right, so all those 16th century timber framed houses built half a millennium before vapour proof membranes were invented...Oh, it's you, Frank :roll:

16th century timber has a route for the moisture to get out. Modern wooden structures assume that moisture isn't going to get in so don't have route out (as I understand it). This is why my aluminium clad caravan was half rotted out due to water getting in which couldn't go anywhere.

What am I getting wrong here?

 

[Ian Bond]

I think you've got it spot on MdB.

I suspect that Frank is referring to the modern version of timber framed building, rather than the traditional version that we know has worked for millenia (subject to not being mucked about with using modern materials).