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Andrew Wood,
Managing Director,
Curtis Wood Architects Ltd
Stretched membrane ceiling over a common room space in a school
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Andrew Wood co-founded Curtis Wood Architects in July 2000. Prior to opening this practice, Andrew worked within some of the most respected offices in the world, including Sir Norman Foster and Sir Michael Hopkins.
Curtis Wood Architects rigorous dedication to quality was developed whilst working with Lord Norman Foster on high profile projects including Wembley Stadium, Cambridge Law Faculty and the grade one listed Willis Faber building, and then with Sir Michael Hopkins on Manchester City Art Gallery.
Q: What is the most innovative surface material you have used?
A: I can think of several, including high-grade concrete surfaces for furniture and walls, glass panels made from recycled bottles and worktops made from recycled plastics, but the material that created the most powerful architectural solution and solved our need most completely was the stretched translucent fabric ceiling from Barrisol*. It allowed lighting to be positioned above it, it was light and they provided their own support framework – so their service was fantastic – and it was able to take a number of shapes and curves.
Q: Where did you apply it and what were the results?
A: We used the stretched membrane ceiling over a common room space in a school. It passed a vandalism test by the school and has provided a light, elegant and almost fluid solution to a curved ceiling that glows subtly from the florescent fittings above it.
Q: Do you have a surface dilemma?
A: Yes, I’m trying to create a new-build ‘green’ house with green roofs and earth mounding without having the budget to support earth retaining walls and turf or sedum roofs. I’m looking at a range of green living walls as a light way to pull the building into the landscape in which it sits. I’d also consider something less systemized and more rough-and-ready to suit the unpolished nature of the building we are making.
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For more information on Curtis Wood Architects Ltd visit www.curtiswoodarchitects.com
*Barrisol will be exhibiting at Surface Design Show on stand 336
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