The Impact
Pol Gallagher, Creative Director of ZAP Architecture, explained: “The design celebrates the main entrance to DCU in the form of a bold forest of vertical timber elements, broken up by rich green spaces. Our design is about place-making, creating a striking and memorable visual identity for DCU both locally and on the international scene.”
Dominik Niewerth, Project Engineer at Schaffitzel + Miebach, who provided a consultancy role for the timber works and has worked with glulam Accoya on many projects, added: “The major benefit of Accoya is its ability to withstand exposed conditions and direct weathering. We’re confident of its dimensional stability and durable performance, and were also able to glue the wood and therefore use it for structural elements of the installation.”
“The Accoya glulam posts are clamped into the ground, so we’ve been able to complete the whole sculpture without using any steel parts which is a sustainable design. This wouldn’t have been possible with any other type of timber as there would have been far too many concerns about the durability of such an essential structural component.”
Pol added: “This is the first time that ZAP Architecture has worked with Accoya, after it was recommended by Abbey Woods, the official distributor of Accoya in Ireland. The benefits of Accoya have been continually evident throughout the project, and the sustainable integrity of using naturally grown and sustainably harvested, high performance modified wood was a significant factor for all involved”
Phil Roche, Managing Director at Abbey Woods also explained “This is the first landmark structural project using Accoya to be completed in Ireland; the entire project team from start to finish were simply excellent to work with. The reputation of Accoya as the most versatile exterior timber product just keeps growing”
