In small projects – you need to think of every detail. This was the philosophy behind the creation of Orchard Studio by Branch Studio Architects. The project measures in at less than 40 m2 and the use of ECOply as ceiling and wall lining, and joinery material makes a big statement.
When conceptualising the Orchard Studio, Architect Brad Wray found inspiration in old rural sheds from childhood country trips. This resulted in the use of found, discarded, corrugated iron sheets as the exterior cladding, complete with flaking paint. But inside, Wray knew he wanted to use plywood to clad the ceiling, floor and some walls to add warmth and ensure a bold contrast to the exterior. Wray explained that he chose ECOply CD Grade because, ‘we wanted the knots and the grain. It feels robust and raw. Hoop pine would be too crisp, too refined.’ Wray’s love of timber is also evident in the joinery that was laser-cut to size, leaving a black burned edge that accentuates the layering of the ply.
As demonstrated in the Orchard Studio, attention to sustainability is core to the practice. And ECOply has the credentials to meet these needs – manufactured by Carter Holt Harvey using timber sourced from renewable plantation forests and an ‘A’ Bond with the equivalent of Super E0 formaldehyde emissions. It’s also lightweight and extremely durable. The ply was used in full sheet form to reduce wastage and labour. In small spaces it’s this kind of forward thinking that makes the space work harder.
