World-leading modified wood used for historic city centre fence

Accoya, the high performance modified wood product, has been used to construct a mile-long fence through the heart of Glasgow city centre, in a spectacular nod to the city’s medieval history.

Following extensive archaeological excavations in the city centre, Glasgow City Council commissioned the installation of a fence to connect the city’s last surviving medieval street, Nicholas Street, to the historic High Street. The installation was to celebrate the multi-layered history which runs through the heart of the city.  

Glasgow architect ZM Architecture’s winning brief fulfilled the requirements by designing a fence that told the story of the city’s history.  Accoya, manufactured by Accsys Technologies, was used to bring the project to life.

Peter Richardson, who led the project for ZM Architecture wanted to use a material that would create a maintenance free, hardwearing, durable fence, capable of holding steel plates.  Working in collaboration with timber distributors Russwood, Accoya was found to be the perfect material to match their specific requirements.  

Special orders were placed with Accsys Technologies’ plant in the Netherlands to meet the requirements of the project. Accoya boards were designed to hold aloft steel plates and shields.  Each board was placed two feet apart, representing a decade of time.  Steel plates were slotted in between each board adorned with city trade crests, bronze casts and laser cut symbols, conveying the city’s history back to the 1210, when Nicholas Street was first established.

Accoya, created by using a proprietary acetylation process on sustainably FSC sourced, legal wood, results in an attractive wood which matches or exceeds the properties of tropical hardwood. The unrivalled durability and stability of Accoya made the material ideal for an environment like Glasgow, which is susceptible to long periods of heavy, constant rain. Accoya provided the structure with unrivalled strength, ensuring the fence will remain stable.

Peter, Richardson, from ZM Architecture commented: “Russwood introduced us to Accoya and provided us with the technical detailing necessary for the project, which in turn transformed our design and installation ideas. The properties of the wood made for an incredibly easy and efficient on-site installation of the fence.”

Bryan Crennell Sales and Marketing Director, Accsys Technologies added; “Unlike other products on the market, Accoya provides architects with the option of a wood which is durable, stable and sustainable, whilst offering all the best qualities of the best tropical hardwoods. Accoya’s 50 year guarantee above ground and 25 year in ground against rot and decay will ensure Glasgow’s medieval fence can withstand the passage of time.”