HBPW has been working with the National Trust on what some might regard as ‘blue sky’ thinking!
One of Britain’s most historic heritage sites has been developing an elevated walkway that now links its new car parks with the main visitor attractions.
Gibside Hall, which is located near Rowlands Gill at Gateshead in the North East, is a Georgian ‘grand design’ on a spectacular scale, and the vision of coal baron George Bowes.
After centuries of decline, it is slowly being restored for people and nature and, as part of the on-going initiative, new car parks have been constructed to accommodate greater visitor numbers.
However, the only available space to locate them was on the lowest end of the grounds which meant a pedestrian access walkway was required from the parking area to the wider visitor attractions and the grand hall, now just a shell.
Principal Engineer Dian Coleman, said: “The walkway is approximately 100m long. The deck and balustrades are constructed from Opepe timber hardwood which, through its natural durability, can achieve the required design life for the structure and also blends sympathetically with the forest landscape. The timber walkway is elevated up to 5m above the forest floor by steel ‘goal posts’ supports.”
But the project wasn’t without its challenges. “Due to the poor ground conditions and difficult access a driven steel mini pile foundation solution was adopted. Pile installation was achieved through the use of a hand positioned pneumatic hammer or mini digger attachment allowing access to even the most difficult sloping locations.
“Fortunately, we managed to overcome all obstacles to produce what is now a major addition and feature of Gibside Hall,” he added. The design and build contract was led by Owen Pugh with HBPW acting as engineers. Ref:- 3D