Engineered timber gaining in major construction projects

Major timber structures made off-site from pre-fabricated timber sections are gaining ground as developers move from flagship to more everyday timber structures.

While buildings such as Australia’s tallest timber building, the 45 metre tall timber framed skyscraper at 25 King Street in Bowen Hills in Brisbane have made headlines, simililar processes are becoming far more common.

Recently the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School in New South Wales was transformed using cross laminated timber (CLT) structures and panelling.

A three-storey extension to the North Strathfield school transformed a 1970s concrete building using CLT walls, stairs and ceilings.

The exterior was clad in custom-made, insulated zinc cladding with double-glazed windows.

Knut Menden, of BVN Architects, said the project was a model for sustainability through its innovation using engineered timber.

Menden said: “Using timber in this type of construction provides many benefits.

“The process is highly precise, productive and environmentally friendly and in the long-term results in increased energy efficiency for the school.”

The school is one of a number of projects to be highlighted at the 2019 Timber Offsite Construction conference and exhibition to be held on 18 June, at Melbourne’s Crown Promenade.

Picture: Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School

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