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the formation of the roof. The roof was divided
into 200 points of measurement beneath which
jacks were lowered and raised, creating the free
form of the curvature. Once this was fine tuned
the scaffolding was removed and the full
splendour of the roof revealed.
Above the gridshell structure is an aluminium
roof system, manufactured by Keyberno, with
160mm of insulation and profiled
standing-seam skin. It serves as the waterproof
layer and support for the oak rain–screen.
The design team specified oak cladding not
only for its impressive resilience, but because
it will weather to a silvery grey and Glenn
Howells’ original concept was to see the curve
of the building’s roof representing the top of
the tree line.
The gridshell is supported by an earth
structure on the entrance elevation, housing
ancillary service space including the kitchen,
storerooms and washrooms, sensitively
concealed by a green roof designed and
planted with juniper by the horticultural staff of
the Savill Garden. On the garden elevation the
terrace is slightly raised and fully enclosed,
with a curved glazed curtain wall providing
spectacular views across the landscape.
Not only does the building have an oak roof
to the skill of the engineers and craftsmen. The Savill gridshell is in four layers, with a and floor, but also the avenue leading into the
How have they achieved this feat? The rippling regular one metre grid of 80 x 50 mm larch. garden is lined with upright oaks, with mature
timber, as seemingly pliable as a magic carpet, The three-domed shape is clad in oak and has a oaks all around it. The ultimate aim is to light
appears to be held aloft by supernatural powers. tubular steel beam running around the the majestic oaks on the far side of the water
It simultaneously promotes feelings of lightness, a perimeter, held in place by steel quadruped legs. course which runs through the spine of the
result of its structure and reassuring permanence, The bespoke system was much more than a garden, so that the views are equally
as suggested by the solidity of the timber. straightforward roof scaffold in that it governed spectacular after nighfall. 148
See inside back cover for Reader Enquiry Card or go online: www.atdonline.eu 23
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