Project Title: MK Forty Tower
Location: Milton Keynes
Wood Species Used: SPRUCE/FIR LAMINATION (AUSTRIA)
Project Description
To mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the city of Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Gallery (MKG) invited dRMM to design a temporary artwork. dRMM proposed a tower to conceptually contrast with the predominant horizontality of the city, offering an opportunity for visitors to the site to climb the tower and discover views across the city, above the building and tree line.
MK Forty Tower is a freestanding structure, prefabricated in sections of cross-laminated timber. No foundation is required. Erected inside seven days in August 2007, the fast construction process and unusual form attracted a great deal of local interest, and the event was covered by local BBC television.
From August to October 2007, over 5,500 people enjoyed a visit to the tower. Almost twenty metres high, it dominated the square in front of MKG, rising above the gallery and theatre’s roof-canopy. Visitors climbed 101 wooden steps to reach a platform and panoramic views of the city and the landscape beyond.
At the base, a shipping container – in which the timber elements of the tower can be stored and transported to another site - housed a coffee bar. The interior of the coffee bar was lined with the work of artist, Richard Woods. Giant window opening shapes from the top of the tower - ‘M’ ‘K’ ‘4’ and ‘0’ - were used as furniture for the public square. An accompanying exhibition in the Project Space gallery documented dRMM’s realised projects and research in engineered timber construction techniques, such as Kingsdale School Music & Sports Buildings and Naked House.
MK Forty Tower is both a landmark to celebrate the city and a structural experiment to demonstrate engineered timber’s capacity to serve as building core. Using different types of staircase, the architects tested and proved the equivalent of a seven storey timber building core. In this sense, the structure can be seen as ‘useful art’. The tower is made of two parts and eight sections of 90mm thick cross-laminated timber, joined together with waterjet aluminium plates. The lower section is a continuous open well staircase, stacked like a Georgian staircase, with 162mm thick timber treads as bracing.
The upper section consists of prefabricated cantilevered short ramps which form dogleg stairs, half of which are external, so providing glimpses of the view as the visitor ascends. The structure is entirely fixed with screws; no glue was used.
Conceived as a temporary structure with the potential to be recycled for use on another site, the tower remained in situ at MKG, weathering the winter and remaining open to small groups by appointment. Now the tower is closed to visitors but the gallery is currently in discussion with The Parks Trust, Milton Keynes, about re-siting the tower in another prominent and public Milton Keynes location. The popularity of the tower, and the success of the structure have led to a further commission from MKG to develop another temporary public structure, again in timber.
BUILDING OWNER: MILTON KEYNES GALLERY
ARCHITECT: DRMM
BUILDER / MAIN CONTRACTOR: KLH UK LTD
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS: PRICE & MYERS LLP
WOOD SUPPLIER: KLH UK LTD
