Timber technologies

35% of the National Park is made up of forest. This is reflected in the building’s design as timber is the main construction material, creating an affordable, sustainable building.

The timber contractor worked closely with the architects at the design stage to create a barn-like structure, which integrates the largest greenwood timber frame constructed in the UK. This frame supports a central glazed rooflight, which runs through the building providing natural ventilation and light to all the spaces.

The frame is supported by the gigantic two-storey Douglas fir columns and beams. Additional natural materials are used widely throughout the building, such as the natural slate roof finish, Scottish larch cladding on the rear elevation and sheep’s fleece insulation.

Timber was sourced mainly from the Scottish Borders.

Special timber-related features

Carrochan is the largest green timber building in the UK, using the UK’s largest sections of green timber with the biggest posts measuring a massive 650mm x 600mm x 6.2m long.

The Douglas fir frame is a cutting-edge timber structure combining post and beam construction with pre-fabricated floor and roof panels. It comprises 160 cubic metres of timber weighing 80 tonnes.

Background to building

Carrochan is the new headquarters for the first National Park in Scotland, which covers a region over 700 square miles, north and west of Balloch. The new administrative centre provides flexible workspace for over 120 staff from Scottish Natural Heritage and associated community groups, and will also become a central information point and meeting place.