"Australian Architects can design structures with the form and feel of timber, now with the spanning capabilities needed in the commercial and civic space"
"100% renewable, sustainable plantation-grown timber – achieving large spans with natural beauty"
"Timber provides impressive spans with a lighter footprint than steel or concrete – and has the added benefit of sequestering carbon in the structure"
"Curved timber structures over broad spans are now a reality – with Timberbuilt Solution’s curved plywood box beams"
"Timberbuilt Solutions’ BIM (Building Information Modelling) enables us to take your 3D model so we can model the structural timber components – saving time and money while achieving your architectural vision"
"From small commercial structures (400 m2) to large (25,000 m2), Timberbuilt Solutions can provide design, engineering and prefabrication solutions for a precise installation with low on-site costs"
Architectural
A Timberbuilt Solution for St Clare’s
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Location:Taree, NSW
Architect:Austin McFarland & Associates
Engineers:Bargallie & Associates
Builder:Ware Building Pty Ltd
In March 2011 Timberbuilt Solutions fabricated and supplied an engineered portal frame structural solution with hySPAN LVL for the Construction Facility, part of extensions to St Clare’s High School under the Federal Government’s BER Scheme.
Starting out with drawings from the architect, a 3D model was created in Cadwork. This detailed every precise dimension of the hySPAN LVL members along with drillings, recesses, connecting bolts, brackets and screws. Timberbuilt Solutions then converted all timber objects in the model into CNC machine files.
Then the hySPAN LVL was cut, drilled and recessed automatically in the Hundegger K2 precision joinery machine according to these files. This is an example of BIM –Building Information Modelling. The components were then assembled into the various portal frame columns and rafters, sanded and packed for despatch.
All portal frame members arrived on site packed and wrapped, and clearly labelled for assembly. Each member was precision cut and drilled, and simply bolted together for rapid erection of the frame. A Timberbuilt Solution is as easy to assemble as fabricated steel, and considerably lighter.
The Timberbuilt Solutions package included working drawings with connection details, and even a column layout to assist with site set out. All hardware connections including base brackets and Chemset fasteners were supplied to ensure rapid assembly.
As the photos demonstrate, an attractive and functional building has been created, with the warmth of the hySPAN LVL portal frames being complemented by the plywood panelling to the lower internal walls of the workshop. This achieves a quieter, warmer and more natural learning environment for students.
A sanded finish to the hySPAN LVL portal frames enabled a stain to be applied, for a consistent finish with the plywood lower wall panels. This created a warmer, more organic interior. The exposed knee braces create an honest, practical structural shape and are consistent with the workshop environment.
Architect’s rendering of furnished workshop area.
The engineered hySPAN LVL portal frames provide the structural strength needed for this application at an affordable price, with many added environmental bonuses:
- The structure now acts as a carbon store, locking up 4.29 tonnes of CO2 for the life of the building,
- The manufacture of the LVL required far less energy to produce than a steel equivalent.
- HySPAN LVL is manufactured from plantation radiata pine, a renewable resource.
- Timberbuilt Solutions’ hySPAN LVL offcuts are used as fuel and do not go to landfill.
Exterior portal frames were given an LOSP H3 treatment for durability in outdoor above ground use. This is an almost colourless treatment that still enables stain finishes to be applied.
Our congratulations and thanks go to Austin McFarland Architects who had the foresight to conceive a natural and practical timber design that allowed an affordable and environmentally responsible solution.
Timberbuilt Solutions have provided an engineered timber solution as strong as steel, better looking than steel, and with environmental benefits that steel can’t match. If you would like to construct your next commercial building from practical, attractive and affordable engineered timber portal frames, please contact us on (03) 9543 3733.