The first 50 sustainable and eco-friendly bus shelters made from world-leading modified wood products, Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme have been installed across Cornwall.
Created by Benjamin Stedman Design, the distinctive shelters form part of Cornwall Council’s Green Peninsula project and mark the beginning of a four-year agreement that will see 150 Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme shelters installed across the county.
Responding to the Council’s quest for durable bus shelters able to withstand exposure to changeable weather conditions along the Cornish coast, designers Jonathan Stedman and Yorick Benjamin created the cubic shelters oriented to face away from the prevailing weather. Their design carefully reflects the cultural heritage of the Cornish landscape, imitating the iconic ruined engine houses that punctuate the skyline.
Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme are two of the most advanced wood products on the market today, using Accsys Technologies’ proprietary acetylation technology to deliver outstanding levels of performance, stability, durability. This results in a non-toxic, attractive and cost-effective wood which matches or exceeds the properties of tropical hardwood. Exceeding the high-quality and aesthetic attributes of tropical hardwoods, they also boast excellent environmental credentials by using wood sourced from FSC certified and sustainable forests.
Particularly beneficial for outdoor bus shelters exposed to changing weather conditions, both Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme also demonstrate superior resistance to UV degradation and are virtually rot proof, with swelling and shrinkage from heat and moisture reduced by 75% compared to other wood materials.
Yorick Benjamin, Designer at Benjamin Stedman Design, said: “Existing bus shelters are either steel or aluminium, and after a short while can look old and begin to look tatty due to corrosion or wear and tear. However to mitigate this problem we were keen to work with Accoya, as it is guaranteed to last for 50 years when used above ground, and will maintain its aesthetic qualities throughout that time.
“Additionally we were keen to avoid using metal as it can contribute around eight tonnes of carbon dioxide for every shelter; the Accoya shelters are virtually carbon neutral as the wood sequesters CO2 within its large section sizes.
“Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme are the perfect complementary materials for the construction of the bus shelters. Although there are alternative timbers on the market, none have the right blend of performance, cost and aesthetics.”
Bryan Crennell, director of sales and marketing at Accsys Technologies, said: “We are delighted that Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme were chosen for such an exciting project in one of the UK’s most dramatic and picturesque locations. Key requirements of durability, functionality and sustainability were sought from this project in order to support Cornwall Council’s Green Peninsula scheme, and the decision to use Accoya and Medite Tricoya Extreme will help contribute to the region’s carbon reduction programmes over the coming year.”