Winner of winners award for Dalston Works, the world's largest CLT structure

Dalston Works is the largest cross laminated timber (CLT) building in the world. The three awards it picked up were the result of the innovation the team used in pushing the boundaries of this dynamic material. At ten storeys, the building is higher than was thought possible, due to structural restrictions posed by a nearby planned Crossrail route. Through the use of timber for the external walls, party walls, floors, ceilings, stairs and lift cores, Dalston Works weighs just a fifth of a comparable concrete structure, warranting the viability of the scheme in the site context. The building comprises of 121 apartments for rent alongside two ground level courtyards flanked by 1500m2 of retail and restaurant space. To the south of the site a 3500m2 flexible workspace hub caters to the growing creative community in Dalston.

In common with other CLT buildings, construction time was kept to a minimum. “Dalston Works is a real showcase in how we can deliver much needed homes faster. Using offsite construction we have been able to shorten the construction programme allowing the frame to be completed in just 374 days” comments Ramboll Director and CLT expert Gavin White.

It was a night of much celebration as Blackdale Student Residences at the University of East Anglia also picked up Project of the Year award. With just a 62 week programme Martin Lovatt, Senior Estates Project Manager for UEA, described the Blackdale project as "the best project ever" and went on to say "There is so much learning to be taken from this project… and show others ways of working together in a truly collaborative manner that makes working a real joy”. Blackdale Student Residences comprises two 4-7 storey residential blocks totalling 514 apartments, a cafe with a roof terrace, a launderette and shared courtyard; all built to BREEAM Excellent standards.

Commenting on the successful evening Gavin White said, "The awards are important in raising the profile of these projects. They show how we are continually pushing the boundaries of what is achievable using CLT. These innovative case studies play a vital role in providing the solutions and reassurances needed to give developers and investors the confidence to build using offsite construction methods."