Timber iQ Dec 2017 - Jan 2018 // Issue:35 | Page 27

PROJECTS
EX
The main kitchen area features a slatted ceiling made from American tulipwood.
D
esigned by dRMM Architects and supported by the
American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the
opening of Maggie's Oldham is a pivotal moment for
modern architecture and construction. Maggie’s is a charity
that provides practical and emotional support to people
living with cancer.
Built on the grounds of specialist NHS cancer hospitals,
Maggie’s Centres are warm and welcoming places with
qualified professionals on hand to offer a programme
of support shown to improve physical and
emotional wellbeing.
dRMM chose American tulipwood for the design of the
centre for the positive influence wood has on people and
for the beauty, strength and warmth inherent to American
tulipwood. Wood is known to significantly reduce blood
pressure, heart rates and recovery times; it has more health
and wellbeing benefits than any other building material,
this is according to a Wood Housing Humanity Report
released in 2015. dRMM says that this pioneering piece of
permanent architecture has been constructed from more
than 20 panels of five-layer cross laminated American
tulipwood, ranging in size from 0.5m to 12m long.
USING TULIPWOOD
American tulipwood CLT was pioneered in 2013 by dRMM,
AHEC and Arup for its unparalleled strength and lightness,
// DECEMBER 2017 / JANUARY 2018 25