At Ureka, we take immense pride in supporting projects that push the boundaries of sustainable construction. One of our recent collaborations has been with Buckland Timber on the ambitious Backstage development at The Old Vic – an iconic Grade II-listed theatre in London’s South Bank.
A Sustainable Vision for a Historic Landmark
The Old Vic is undergoing a £12 million extension to create a brand-new space for creativity, education and community engagement. Designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, the six-storey Backstage building will house a studio theatre, learning centre, script library and café workspace. Sustainability is at the heart of this project, with glulam timber chosen for its strength, stability and environmental benefits.
Buckland Timber’s Expertise & Ureka’s Adhesive Solutions
Devon-based Buckland Timber took on the challenge of delivering the six-storey glulam timber frame and plywood flooring in just 10 weeks. Structural integrity was a key consideration, and this is where our expertise at Ureka came into play.
The project specification required a ‘glued and screwed’ approach to secure two layers of plywood decking to the glulam structure, ensuring structural stability. Buckland Timber’s Project Manager, Peter Theobald, turned to us for an adhesive that met the project’s high-performance and sustainability standards.
After careful assessment, we recommended Aro-Bond 920 D4 – a solvent-free, high-strength polyurethane wood adhesive with exceptional water and weather resistance. Its fast-curing time was a game-changer, helping Buckland Timber meet tight deadlines while ensuring long-term durability.
Ensuring Sustainability, Safety & Quality
Sustainability wasn’t just a buzzword on this project – it was a fundamental requirement. To minimise construction waste and ensure safe application, we worked closely with Buckland Timber to calculate the exact adhesive quantities needed for each floor.
We also provided technical support and risk assessments around storage and usage, ensuring compliance with safety regulations. The benefits of Aro-Bond 920 extended beyond just adhesion – its slight expansion during curing reduced movement between the plywood and glulam beams, minimising the risk of squeaky floors.
A Milestone for Structural Timber Construction
Structural timber is growing in popularity due to its aesthetic appeal, sustainability and strength. Interestingly, it’s even more fire-resistant than steel, acting as its own fire break. Despite these advantages, structural timber projects remain relatively rare in the UK, making this collaboration even more significant.
As Alex Nunn, our Managing Director, put it:“We were delighted to support Buckland Timber in delivering such an impressive level of engineering for a landmark venue like The Old Vic. It’s projects like this that showcase the future of sustainable construction.”
Looking Ahead
Set to open in Autumn 2025, the Backstage building is designed to be an “exemplar low-carbon building”, incorporating salvaged brickwork, floorboards and recycled theatre lighting into its construction.
This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between timber engineering experts and adhesive specialists. At Ureka, we’re proud to have played a part in making The Old Vic’s vision a reality.
