The Downland Gridshell
Conservation Store and Workshop

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Exterior Cladding

October 2001

The lower two thirds of the gridshell structure is to be clad.  The cladding consists of a reinforced polythene membrane, a multi-layer composite insulation material, a breathable paper membrane and timber cladding consisting of Western Red Cedar boards dimensions 160mmx25mm screwed to the horizontal gridshell laths.  

The following picture shows the different materials; from top to bottom

The first layer is close boarded, each board has two machined slots that should inhibit lateral movement of moisture and act as a drain for any moisture that penetrates; the second layer is centred over the joins in the first layer.

The slots were machined on the side of the board that was furthest from the heart of the tree, in this way any distortion occurring as the timber seasons should create a concave surface on the side with the slots, forcing moisture away from the join between two boards.

The finished product, 12th November 2001.

[Next: Completed Exterior]