Abraham Darby wins top timber award

Abraham Darby Learning Community has won the Gold Award for 2013 at the Timber in Construction Awards. The project, which won in the Large Engineered Timber Building category, beat all nine of the other category winners to take the top prize at the event in Manchester on 21 November.

The project brings together a two-form entry primary school, a six-form entry academy sponsored by the Haberdashers Livery Company, and a community sports and leisure facility into a single co-located complex on a steeply sloping site at the gateway to the Ironbridge World Heritage site at Telford in Shropshire.

Extensive use of timber in the design provided not only sustainable and practical solutions, but has contributed to a contemporary interpretation of a timeless classical aesthetic, conveying balance, proportion and harmony. Of particular design merit is the domed timber roof which soars over the heartspace of the academy with a span of 35 metres.

The design of the structural timber elements and connection details were all carefully crafted to meet with the aesthetic aspirations of the design team, whilst maintaining practicality for fabrication and erection; all helping maintain affordability.