With the construction of the first K:Port™ EV charging station (Portishead Marina Electric Vehicle Charging Hub), the British coastal town of Portishead near Bristol is getting a taste of the mobility of the future.
Timber construction meets electromobility
In addition to the latest generation of fast-charging stations and a timber roof, the K:Port™ includes other special features such as an integrated photovoltaic roof system and a holistic planting concept that enables sustainable drainage. The design by renowned British architecture firm Hewitt Studios thus combines two current megatrends of the 21st century: electromobility and sustainable timber construction. The roof of the charging station for electric cars, which is intended for four vehicles, is made of weather-resistant larch glulam of the highest quality.
The construction consists of a central supporting element with four cantilever arms connected to it, on which roof purlins rest. The architect’s requirement for an elegant appearance with “invisible” connections between the load-bearing elements and the specific requirements of a timber construction called for special design and structural considerations. For example, the transverse cantilevers are connected to the central column element with a cleverly concealed slotted plate. Special attention was also paid to the corrosion protection of the steel components, as the project is located in the immediate vicinity of the sea.
