Design Buy Build Issue 31 2018 | Page 128

THE ART OF USING TIMBER amazing portfolio of products and invited our team of architects along to their showroom to discuss the options and select their preferred materials.” “By its very nature, the Observatory is theatrical, eye-catching, unusual and unique and the whole programme has focussed on developing new audiences - those that would not normally visit a gallery and perhaps have little, if any, opportunity to directly interact with an artist.” Having spent six-months in the South Downs National Park and then Lymington, the two locations for 2016 will be the Tamar Estuary and the South Dorset Ridgeway where artists will develop a body of work connected to T each location and context and the work he UK’s biggest independent timber Paul Latham, Sales & Product Development and panel products supplier, James Director for James Latham, commented, “This Latham, is currently supporting is a fantastic initiative for us to be involved another innovative project by SPUD (Space, with. Not only does it show an innovative Placemaking & Urban Design) which offers and fascinating use of timber but it is also residency opportunities for artists to engage highly educational and includes a learning with specific areas of our environment and and engagement programme engaging with the landscape. universities, colleges and schools, plus it also has a strong environmental message too.” Entitled the Observatory, it is a sculpture, workspace, shelter and look-out for 12 artist SPUD’s Principal Associate, Mark Drury residencies in four locations around the UK said, “When we were looking for a materials and is taking place over a two year period. supplier for this initiative, James Latham were the natural choice. They have an James Latham supplied a team of five graduate architects from London practice, Feilden, Clegg, Bradley, with home grown and imported Larch which was charred to clad the exterior of the two structures, as well as Accoya, Medite Tricoya Extreme and Smartply which was used on the interior. The Observatory has two structures, The Study which provides a private and reflective space for the artists to work and The Workshop, which allows for interaction with the public. produced will then form part of an exhibition in each location. You can find out more at: www.lookinlookout.org For more information on Latham’s full range of timber and panel products: phone 0116 257 3415, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk