The construction of the first K:Port™ Electric Vehicle Charging Station (Portishead Marina Electric Vehicle Charging Hub) provides the coastal town of Portishead, close to Bristol, with a glimpse of future mobility. In addition to the latest generation of rapid chargers and a highly sustainable canopy made of glued laminated timber, the K:Port™ includes further special features such as an integrated photovoltaic roofing system and a holistic planting concept that enables a sustainable drainage strategy. The design, by the renowned British architectural practice Hewitt Studios, therefore simultaneously combines two current megatrends of the 21st century: electro mobility and sustainable timber construction.

The canopy of the charging station for electric cars, intended for four vehicles, is made of long-lasting larch glued laminated timber of the highest visual quality. It consists of a central support element with four cantilevers connected to it, with roof purlins resting on them. The architect’s desire for a refined visual appearance with ‘invisible’ connections between supporting elements, as well as the particular demands of a timber structure, required special consideration in terms of design and structural engineering. Consequently, the crosswise extending cantilevers are connected to the central pillar element with a cleverly concealed slotted sheet metal and dowel detail. Special attention has also been paid to the corrosion protection of the steel components due to the project location close to the Bristol Channel.