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Timber Engineering
Timber Engineering
The Jeumont cross was commissioned by the Tiberiade community after the collapse of an old stone cross on Mount Jeumont in Wellin. The new cross can be seen from the E411 motorway and is distinguished by its 14-metre high wooden and steel structure. The studs are made of solid oak from a local forest in the Ardennes, while the bracing is provided by steel diagonals.
A parametric study was used to define the pattern of diagonals, which symbolise the multiple paths connecting earth and sky. On the front of the cross, threaded rods are screwed into the oak studs to create rigid planes with the alignment of five studs. On the profile, steel tubes are used to create lattice beams connecting all the planes to stabilise the whole structure. The multiplicity of bracing planes, each with a distinct geometry, gives the illusion of a random structure. The details of the connections have been carefully studied to ensure maximum durability of the structure while maintaining a pure and harmonious aesthetic.
