PROJECTS
The team decided to use narrow planks of 76 x 22 , orientated with their long direction vertically .
THE NITTY-GRITTY
The main spine of the walkway is tubular steel , with welded ribs and a light mesh giving the cross bracing . This allows the whole form to act as a bridge-spanning beam . Continuous shaped timber handrails ensure the safety of the visitor . The method was to pre-fabricate the structure in 6-metre lengths which were then hoisted by crane and bolted together on site . This meant minimal intervention in the sensitive tree canopy during assembly and reduced construction time in the garden .
The foundations are submerged , hand-dug , reinforced concrete pads in select positions , approximately 12 metres apart .
The foundations appear as small concrete stub columns above ground , onto which the slender steel H section columns are bolted . The decking itself is stained , treated , slatted pine , placed on edge and spaced to accommodate the walkway ’ s curves . The end product is a low-maintenance , low-impact , sculptural walkway that winds its way up and through the complex collection of trees that make up the Arboretum .
A walk along the Boomslang allows visitors to get up close and personal with nature .
24 FEB / MARCH 2017 //