HUB and Norwegian family-owned investor Smedvig have submitted plans for a six-storey timber office building in Maidenhead town centre.
Designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects, ‘Trehus’ – Norwegian for ‘house of wood’ – will be part of the wider mixed-use One Maidenhead scheme, which was previously known as The Landing.
Trehus utilises a timber superstructure which according to HUB reduces embodied carbon by 40% compared with a concrete frame. The 76,585 sq ft building will also feature a roof terrace as well as enhanced public spaces with rain gardens, biodiverse planting and outdoor seating.
Victoria Manston, development director at HUB, said: “Trehus will be the first building of its kind in this area, and an exciting addition to the work already underway at One Maidenhead to deliver a new world-class development in Maidenhead town centre. The use of timber here will result in a building that is both elegant and highly sustainable, in line with HUB’s strategy of reducing embodied carbon across our portfolio. We look forward to continuing work with our project partners and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to progress this scheme.”
Cecilie W Melbye, CEO of Smedvig Eiendom AS, added: “Smedvig is committed to build for the future. For our real estate business that means designing sustainable quality buildings with a low carbon footprint and which are flexible and will stand the test of time. We have used timber structures with success in Norway and are excited to be bringing forward our first timber structure in the UK.”
Kirsten Haggart, associate director at Waugh Thistleton Architects, said: “It has been a joy to work on this project, a landmark building both in terms of the location within Maidenhead town centre and its ambitious low carbon credentials. Close collaboration with local stakeholders, our consultant partners and HUB has resulted in a building that will enhance its local context and have minimal impact on the environment. It sets a high standard in the area for high quality sustainable office design.”
