Yoker Demonstrator Project, Glasgow

CLT Yoker Demonstrator Project, Ellerslie Road, Glasgow

Client: CCG Scotland Ltd / Sanctuary Homes

Architects: MAST Architects

Project Value £4.5 million

RMP provided acoustic design and testing services for the tallest timber building in Scotland.

The seven story 42 flat development uses a novel construction material, Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). While CLT presents considerable sustainability and efficiency benefits, it presents a challenge for residential sound insulation particularly in Scotland where standards are some of the highest in Europe.

The design focus of the building was to maximise the efficiency of the CLT with the resulting layout comprising three blocks of accommodation centred around one stair core. The superstructure is built entirely from CLT, including the common areas and lift shaft, comprising approximately 1,170 cubic meters of timber, which equates to 936,000 kg of embodied CO2.

Acoustically, the control of flanking sound was key to the building achieving Gold Standard (Section 7) sound insulation levels, which were confirmed via on-site testing by our ANC accredited sound insulation testers. Additional testing was undertaken to investigate dominant flanking transmission pathways and core in-situ CLT performance. Air tightness completion testing was also provided by our accredited air tightness testers.

Research into developing best practice acoustic Cross Laminated Timber detailing was undertaken within Edinburgh Napier University by RMP staff, funded by the Construction Innovation Centre, with Ellerslie Road being a key case study amongst a growing portfolio of CLT projects.

Glasgow-based CCG worked with the University via its Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures to determine the technical viability and market feasibility of utilising CLT, commonly called ‘massive’ timber, within a Scottish context. This work contributed to the university winning the 2015 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work in wood science and technology.

Awards:

Large Affordable Housing Development of the Year (Housing Association) – 2017 Scottish Home Awards