The ETFE supporting structure is formed from glulam timber beams, bolted together to form 17 rectangular bays.  For this type of installation, the connection between the glulam and the ETFE is critical and must be designed to take into account our specially designed tracking. To ensure an accurate interface detail on this project, we provided steel sections which were bolted to the beams to support the aluminium tracking system and ETFE cushions.

For minimum visual impact, the air handling unit was installed within an internal plant room, with an external weather station located on the green roof to monitor changes in humidity, wind speed and temperature. The air inflation pipework was concealed within the flashings forming the perimeter of the roof.

Due to the site layout and to the loadings on the concrete slabbed area below, which formed the roof of the car park, it was impossible to install the ETFE foil cushions using mobile access equipment within the structure. Nets were also not an option, as we could not attach anything to the Timber beams. In the end, it was decided that the only way around it was to erect a birdcage, which spanned between the two buildings and all installation works took place from this vantage point.

Project Manager Mark Jenkins comments that "despite installation challenges, this was an extremely interesting project to be involved in which began winning awards long before it was even completed. Aside from being an architectural gem, this fantastic facilities building will play an important part in the regeneration and development of Daventry and surrounding areas".