Engineered timber
In its most basic form, timber has been used as a construction material for many hundreds and even thousands of years. It is perhaps the oldest of all the common building materials and there are very good reasons why we still continue to use it.
Timber is a surprisingly flexible material and modern manufacturing techniques are allowing us to create specialist engineered timber products to help push the boundaries of what can be achieved.
Not only is timber a strong, lightweight and durable construction material, it is also a beautiful and charming one, that can be used to create wonderful building structures.
However, undoubtedly the biggest benefit of using engineered timber is its exemplary sustainability credentials.
Steelwork
Steel has been used a primary construction material for the last 300 years.
Although it does not have the same sustainability benefits as timber based solutions, it is perhaps the most flexible of the common construction materials and can be used to to help create the most challenging of structures.
The ability to curve it, cut it, weld it and bolt it, means that steel structures do quite literally come in all shapes and sizes. Although steel is available in a variety of standard rolled sections, it is also possible to fabricate bespoke steel sections in almost any size and shape from flat plate. This means that steel can be used to achieve things that other materials can't.
Historic Conservation
In the U.K, we are privileged in that we have a rich heritage of historic buildings dating as far back as the medieval period.
However, time does take its toll on all things and occasionally, it is necessary to repair, restore or even re-purpose our historic buildings and it is equally as necessary to ensure that we do this in a responsible and controlled manner.
As Engineers, there are many great things we can do to breathe new life in to old buildings, but we must always be aware of the dangers that modifications and changes can have on these buildings. We all have a duty to preserve and protect our heritage, and as Engineers, we have the privilege to be in a position where we can use modern building techniques and materials to help update and modernise the buildings of our past heritage, whilst also being in a position to help protect and preserve the skills and craftsmanship of our ancestors.
Concrete
Although not one of our favourites, concrete is a very useful construction material, particularly with regards to substructures and foundations. It's weight and load spreading ability make it ideal for foundations and retaining structures.
It is also possible to form concrete as slabs and walls as well as beams and columns, meaning that concrete can often be used to form the entirety of building structure, without the need to use any other materials (except for steel, which concrete needs quite a lot of!)
However, at Triskelion our passion is for creating sustainable buildings and concrete is certainly not our material of choice for the majority of applications. Outside of substructure design, where there aren't a great many alternatives, Triskelion will always look to find an a different material to use.
