SterlingOSB Zero Is A Picnic For Architects

As the annual SterlingOSB Zero/RIBAJ competition celebrated its 10th anniversary, the 2025 competition entitled Powers of Ten, challenged architects to explore the principles of scale. Entrants were unrestricted by building standards and were free to play with the concept of scale and design a structure from competition sponsor West Fraser's SterlingOSB Zero.

  Pictured is West Fraser's marketing manager, David Connacher, and Steve McCloy

This year's commended winners, Steve McCloy and C J Lim of McCloy + Muchemwa Architects, created a giant picnic table complete with deckchairs, cakes, and teapots as a memorial for the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The architects imagined the children's play structure as a permanent fixture in the grounds of Buckingham Palace. Here Steve McCloy talks about the commended winning entry and what SterlingOSB Zero provides architects.

Q. What inspired your design for the competition?

Our design was inspired by children's books and literature. We looked at the way that, in stories such as Alice in Wonderland, the change of scale is the moment where the child enters a new world of imagination. We find, as architects, that shift of perception or that imaginative leap is most inspiring for our work. So, whether we're designing a house or a public building or an installation, imagination is the most important point.

Q. What do you like about SterlingOSB Zero?

Something that we've noticed that is really important compared to other materials like plywood, is that OSB is extremely durable and resilient for outdoor installations, public artworks, and temporary purposes, so it's been really useful for us, doing budget projects.

For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit https://uk.westfraser.com