Timber
for
Tomorrow
As a natural carbon locker, mass timber is as innovative as any new material
“Using timber isn’t just about sustainable construction; it’s about creating spaces that resonate with nature and nurture wellbeing.”
We are constantly searching for innovative materials we can use to create sustainable, beautiful, and well-designed spaces. It may surprise people to learn that mass timber, one of the most time-honored building materials, has re-emerged as a transformative element in our architectural practice, offering unparalleled benefits in sustainability, wellbeing, and aesthetic appeal.
Harnessing Nature
Commonly referred to as CLT, GLT, mass timber or simply timber construction, the material is a standout for its carbon sequestration capability. As trees grow, they ‘sequester’ carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon; for every dry tonne of timber produced, 1.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide is taken from the atmosphere. This carbon remains ‘locked up’ for the life of the wood, even when it is used for building products or furniture.*
Barker College Maths Hub
In the Barker College Maths Hub, the extensive use of mass timber has resulted in the offset of 780 tonnes of CO2e, estimated to equal 18 years of the building’s operational emissions.
Enhancing Human Connection
Biophilic design uses natural materials, light, vegetation, aspects and views to create healthier, more productive spaces that connect occupants with nature.
In Macquarie University’s Ainsworth Building and the Barker College Maths Hub, biophilic principles are evident in the exposed timber structures and organic finishes, which, combined with views over tree canopies, create inviting spaces that enhance concentration, productivity, and reduce stress.
Macquarie University Ainsworth Building
Fast and Low-Impact Construction
Prefabrication methods used in our timber projects ensure fast and low-impact construction. The Macquarie University Incubator and Ainsworth Building were both designed for rapid assembly using modular prefabricated timber components. This approach not only reduces construction time but also lessens noise, vibration, and disruption, making it an ideal choice for sensitive sites. It’s like assembling a giant, eco-friendly jigsaw puzzle, where each piece fits perfectly into place with minimal fuss.
See our featured mass timber projects here: Incubator, Ainsworth Building and Barker College.
Australian Context
Building with timber in Australia has unique challenges. We reached out to long time collaborator, Arup to put together our top 4 learnings:
- Locally sourced, recycled timber should be the starting point for lowering your impact on the planet.
- Where available, mass timber Australian products should be sourced locally, but check if the manufacturing facilities use renewable energy or have a carbon neutral certification.
- European timber can have lower embodied carbon currently, but transport can burn through significant energy and the use of international timber needs to be evaluated on a project-by-project basis.
- Prioritise an FSC certification when sourcing products by using the FSC public search. In Australia, a PEFC Certification is more common.
Like all building materials, timber structures need to be designed for the building’s end of life. Mechanical fixings, as opposed to glue or adhesive based fixings, allow the timber to be dismantled and repurposed.
It may come as a shock to learn that Australia has one of the highest deforestation rates in the world. While the major causes for deforestation are largely agricultural, it places enormous responsibility to source from the remaining forests we have responsibly. Avoid using products that don’t have the FSC or PEFC tick of approval.
Sensory pleasures
Besides being warm and tactile, timber buildings have a distinctive smell – an unexpected highlight when the Incubator was completed in 2017. The smell of milled timber brings back memories of school woodwork, a suburban garden shed, a stable or an Asian temple.
Smell is a powerful memory-jogger and makes these contemporary timber structures even more intriguing; because while the smell is taking us back to past memories, we are actually standing in a building that has been created using the most advanced robotic fabrication methods.
