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Our Timber Future

Using timber to optimise construction

Toby HodsdonAssociate, ArupAdjunct Associate Professor, Griffith University

25th November 2019

Court House by Peter Winkler ArchitectsWinner of the 2017 timber design awards - Recycled Timber.

Northshore Pavilion by Anna O’GormanWinner of the National Award for Small Project Architecture in 2018.

International House by TzannesWinner of the AIA National Award for Commercial Architecture 2018 (and many others).

The Springfield Anglican College Rosewood Resource Centre by Fulton Trotter Architects.

President Avenue Apartments by Candalepas Associates.

Optus Stadium by Hassell Cox HKS. (Engineering by Arup)

What do timber buildings look like?

Architecture is inextricably linked to materiality

Develop schemes with knowledge of the material

Detail with fabrication and construction in mind

Ask,

what can we do with timber, that we can’t with other materials?

[what are the opportunities of timber?]

[why timber?]

[renewable, recyclable, natural]

[health and wellbeing]

[low energy production]

[carbon positive]

[construction benefits]

[lightweight]

[building better]

[building better]time savings

improved quality

cost benefits

safety

timber engineering is a Trojan Horse

• prefabrication and offsite manufacture• early contractor involvement and non-standard

methods of procurement• use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) • detailed logistics and construction planning• designing for manufacture (dfm)

A new approach

It’s about design for manufacture….

Acoustic build up

Fire rated penetrations

It’s about design for assembly….

Design for ErectionDesign for Manufacture

Designing a process…

Traditional procurement

Design Tender

Manufacture / Supply Construction

CLT (ECI)

Initial Design Tender Detailed Design (by Contractor)

Manufacture / Supply Construction

…and design for speed.

18 stories of structure and façade at Brock Commons were erected by 9 men in 9.5 weeks

[projects]

Our Lady of Assumption School, North Strathfield, NSWMacquarie University Incubator building, Sydney, NSWNetball Central, Sydney, NSW

Sky Central, London, UK

Life Cycle Tower LCT, Dornbin, AustriaMacquarie University Clinical Education Building, Sydney, NSWRMIT Cafe Pavillion, Melbourne, VictoriaHAUT Amstelkwartier blok 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Metropol Parasol, Seville, Spain

Mon Repos Turtle Sanctuary, Bundaberg, Qld

Designing and building in timber

Challenges include:

• Technical – fire, acoustics, robustness, connections etc.

• Procurement – availability of contractors and experience

• Pricing – material costs ok, but assessing savings in prelim etc.

• Education – familiarity across the industry

Designing and building in timber

Conclusions:

• Engineered timber is useful for many applications

• It is not just about timber – be clear on how material furthers project aims

• It is not just about large commercial projects – innovate at small scale

• There are great opportunities – focus on manufacturing and assembly to

maximise benefits

• Wood Solutions and suppliers are an excellent resource – collaborate well

• Timber is nothing new – it deserves to be a tool in your toolbox.

Toby HodsdonAssociate, ArupAdjunct Associate Professor, Griffith University

toby.hodsdon@arup.com0439 470142

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