Ticking Truss Barn

Commenced
Completed

2018

PUBLICATIONS

Premier Construction Magazine, July 2019

Grand Designs Magazine, December 2020

Home and Gardens Design, January 2021

TEAM

Architect : A-Zero Architects

Giles Bruce, Shoichi Sado, Ross King, Mizue Katayama

Structural Design: Crouch Waterfall

Photographs © Adam Scott

Surrey, UK

A very long and narrow former chicken shed was transformed into a new dwelling for a family. Planning limitations prevented the building from increasing in size, so it was decided to opt for a scissor truss arrangement to maximise the ceiling height at the centre of the space.

Constructed on site from glulam timber, the eleven scissor trusses are all subtly different introducing a structural rhythm along the length of the space. This is achieved by varying the angle of the steel tie at each structural bay, not unlike the ticking hands of a clock.

The project uses a scissor truss structure, in order to maximise the internal ceiling height, and avoid horizontal tie beams. The structure is principally glulam, using steel elements only for connections and one of the diagonal braces.

The fully internalised structural frame gives the glulam a strong visual presence in the space whilst allowing a continuous air-tight membrane outboard of the structural frame, and a highly insulated envelope outboard of this again.

We worked with local carpenters to make the frame, using a series of hand-built models to explain the construction sequence and communicate the design.

More Projects

When the client approach us in 2022, this property was derelict and had not been occupied in 10 years - there was evidence of arson and squatting. When we first visited it was Halloween and the house had been decorated by the community as the local haunted house – which was quite apt given its dilapidated condition.

The client’s brief was for the house to be brought back into use with the lowest carbon approach possible. Design decisions were a balance was between operational performance, embodied carbon, and the aim to preserve the architectural character of the original building – it had previously been a tenement, and the very quirky split staircase to was the only remaining feature of note.

The project has completely reinvented the building as a low carbon exemplar. Unfortunately, the area now lacks a haunted house for next Halloween.

Rotherhithe, London, UK