Alcove Architecture talks about the dizzying heights of success in the SterlingOSB Zero competition

Pictured (l to r) are: Claire Ironside (marketing executive at West Fraser), Sian Briggs and Julian Evans (Alcove Architecture) and Jan-Carlos Kucharek (deputy editor of RIBAJ)

It’s not just for a sheathing board – you can use it as the finished product, and it looks textural.  It is honest and does not need to be covered

The annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition is now in its 11^th year and established as a prestigious event – as well as one that produces great discussions with panelists and entrants alike.  It is designed to encourage architects to push the creative boundaries when considering the use of SterlingOSB Zero, the first UK produced OSB panel to be net carbon negative. The competition, where the winners enjoy cash prizes and industry acknowledgment, has seen some innovative creations in its time; each year poses a different challenge which is designed to reflect real-life topics in the architectural world.

Here, Sian Briggs and Julian Evans of Alcove Architecture, whose Sports Climbing at Grant’s Quay Wharf entry won the 2024 Zero to Hero competition, talk to West Fraser about their use of SterlingOSB Zero. 

What inspired your design concept for the competition?

Sian Briggs:

We wanted to make it as much for the spectators as it was for the participants. We wanted to take the spectators on the journey as well giving them that real feeling of height, vertigo, scaling a cliff face. We chose the location because it was within two high rise buildings, and we were trying to get a feeling of a bit of a chasm that you are climbing up – with excellent views of all the London landmarks!. That was our starting point and chose SterlingOSB Zero due to the product’s modular nature.

Julian Evans:

We live in a very modular world today – with bricks, blocks and the advent of board material. In this competition, we wanted to save all the cutting and just use that the bare face material to give the diameters and the parameters of the whole thing. Hence, we’ve ended up with a 2.4m-high terrace where normally you’d expect about 300 mil. We know we are not structural engineers but, going back to the good old days of slot A fits into slot B, we decided to use a stack of cards effect.

What are some of the common challenges you face in meeting sustainability targets?

Julian Evans:

I think the key thing for us is always fabric first. We are architects; we are not experts in technology.  It’s a fabric first approach for us. Everything’s about insulation. However, we are also a practice that thrives on modular. If you come to us for a building, we’ll design it with modular lines, whether that be to brick dimensions, log dimensions. There needs to be less cutting going on.

How has designing with SterlingOSB Zero informed your view of the material regarding its versatility and aesthetic?

Sian Briggs:

I think SterlingOSB Zero is interesting because of the zero element.  In the past, we’ve always been a bit worried about OSB because of all kinds of additives and glues, and the added formaldehyde. The fact that this board has zero-added formaldehyde appealed. Also, the smooth feel made us think it would make a good facing material. It’s not just for a sheathing board – you can use it as the finished product, and it looks textural; it is honest and does not need to be covered.

Julian Evans:

I think it also complemented what we were doing. Obviously, there’s the climbing wall on the other side which isn’t a wall; it’s just lots of plastic with little bits and bobs going on. When you look at the OSB, there are different layers that you can see. It’s just a nice complement as you have got the smoothness with the roughness and oddity of the climb.

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