28 November 2008
James Jones Step up to the challenge for A Gathering Space
James Jones & Sons Ltd has put their JJI-Joist product to creative use in the manufacture of "A Gathering Space", Scotland's first ever stand-alone architectural pavilion at the 11th International Biennale di Venezia Exhibition.
"A Gathering Space" was a stunning, wooden structure, with a large, partially cantilevered set of steps above, providing casual seating and standing for up to 200 people, and an enclosed auditorium area below, capable of holding up to 100 people. Designed by award-winning architects Gareth Hoskins to represent Scotland's architectural community, the Scottish design was constructed entirely from locally sourced materials and supplied and manufactured using a Scottish consortium.
James Jones was delighted to be part of the consortium, and to have the chance to showcase the innovative use of JJI-Joists in the step risers of the 7m high structure.
In order to meet the design requirements of this very unusual application of their product, James Jones had to supply 450mm deep JJI-Joists. Commercial Manager, Mr Jonathan Fellingham explains:
"I-joists have not been used as step risers before, to our knowledge, yet we were able to help with this design due to our unique 450mm deep JJI-Joists. Gareth Hoskins Architects came to us as we are the only Scottish I-joist manufacturers and the only producers offering a 450mm depth."
He continues:
"It was great to be involved in a project where the practicalities of engineered timber and aesthetics of larch cladding have been so well combined and the products put to such an innovative use."
The structure was assembled by timber frame manufacturers Avonhill Ltd at its headquarters in Scotland, before being taken apart and shipped to Italy to create a unique social space in the busy Piazzale della Stazione Santa Lucia in Venice. While it was designed as a temporary structure, it is now hoped that A Gathering Space will be brought back to Glasgow, if a suitable location can be found in the city.
