WoodSolutions case-study seminar presents outstanding timber projects
Outstanding timber projects were the talk of the town at a special ‘case-study-focused’ WoodSolutions seminar which presented a selection of the award-winning local and interstate projects from the 2022 Australian Timber Design Awards (held in December 2022). The event showcased a diverse range of exceptional residential, commercial, and public projects that demonstrated the versatility and sustainability of timber.
Several themes emerged throughout the afternoon. One of the main discussion topics at the awards was biophilic design, which connects people to nature and improves mental health and well-being. Timber’s natural warmth and texture have a calming effect, making it an ideal material for creating spaces that promote well-being. This is a compelling topic that should strengthen the “sustainably managed forests produce the ultimate renewable building product – timber”.
Hütt 01 Passivhaus by Melbourne Design Studios – Photography Maitreya Chandorka.
In addition to discussing the benefits of timber, Marc Bernstein, Director of Melbourne Design Studios highlighted the Passivhaus Standard in the context of his project The Hütt 01 Passivhaus (image above), which prioritizes energy efficiency in building design.
One key aspect of this standard is the emphasis on reducing operational energy consumption, which is the energy used to operate a building. This is achieved by designing buildings that have a very low heating and cooling demand, using insulation and airtightness to minimize heat loss and gain. Another important consideration is embodied energy, which is the energy required to produce building materials.
The Passivhaus Standard encourages the use of low embodied energy materials, such as timber, to further reduce a building’s environmental impact.
S.E.E.D. – Modular Classrooms by Betti & Knut Architecture
Knut Menden of Betty & Knut Architecture presented the SEED project, which is Australia’s first Passivhaus demountable classroom. The SEED project demonstrates the importance of maintaining optimal learning environments through the use of heat recovery units that circulate fresh air while reusing outgoing air’s heat. Additionally, Passivhaus classrooms include sensors that monitor and regulate CO2 levels, ensuring a healthy learning environment. The SEED project serves as an example of the possibilities for sustainable and energy-efficient classrooms in Australia.
Sustainability in action – Iron Creek Bay Farm Stay by Misho + Associates. Photography by Misho Vasiljevich.
Another topic discussed at the event was the benefits of using timber in the face of climate change, especially when it comes to more energy intensive products such as timber and steel. Timber is a renewable resource that stores carbon, and sustainable timber sourcing ensures that forests are managed responsibly, protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities.
The event also highlighted the benefits of using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) in construction. CLT is a sustainable and durable material that offers structural benefits such as strength and fire resistance. Its prefabrication also saves time and reduces construction waste, making it an ideal material for building with a lighter footprint.
The interplay between craft and technology was another topic discussed at the event. Timber projects showcase the affinity between architectural form and the natural environment, with each project reflecting a unique relationship between the building and its surroundings.
Waterfront Tavern by H&E Architects. Photography by Murray Fredericks, Richard Glover
The seminar offered an opportunity to learn from experts in timber design and network with colleagues, promoting the use of sustainable and renewable timber building products. It highlighted the importance of sourcing timber from certified sources that can be traced through the chain, ensuring responsible forest management and a positive impact on the environment.
Speakers at this year’s seminar included:
Christopher Grinham – Director of H&E Architects
The Waterfront Tavern won the Excellence in Timber Design Award for 2022, featuring a contemporary timber boat house design, and the director of H&E Architects will discuss the use of timber to create a unique and functional commercial project.
Andrew Tripet – National Sector Lead Community at NBRS
Bay Pavilion Arts and Aquatic Centre in Bateman’s Bay, the People’s Choice project for 2022, showcases the use of timber in its structure, façade, and internal finishing to create iconic architectural forms while minimizing embodied energy impacts.
Veryan Crow – Associate Director of JCBA
Presenting sustainably sourced Australian hardwoods used in the new Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club, a multi-faceted community facility with bold timber elevations that provide exquisite beauty, practicality, performance, durability, and bushfire resistance.
Knut Menden – Director of Betti & Knut Architecture
The S.E.ED. – Modular Classrooms project, which won both the Small Budget and Sustainability Awards, featuring cost-effective prefabricated portable classrooms that are also internally and externally beautiful, tranquil, high-quality, scalable, and innovative.
Marc Bernstein – Director of Melbourne Design Studios
The Hutt 01 Passive House project showcases sustainable building techniques through PassivHaus prefabricated timber solutions and playful features to create a fun and functional residential Class 1 building with advanced technologies and biophilic-rich materials.
Grant Steel – Business Development Manager of XLam
Presenting the use of plantation and native forest timbers, as well as prefabricated cross-laminated timber (CLT), in the Iron Creek Bay Farm Stay multi-residential project, which offers an innovative and multi-beneficial solution that responds to the landscape both structurally and aesthetically.
Like to know more?
In 2022 Responsible Wood sponsored proudly sponsored the Australian Certified Timber Award at the Timber Design Awards. This award acknowledges projects where Australian timber has been sourced from sustainably managed Australian forests. The 2022 winner of this category was Annandale CLT House by Still Space Architecture.
For more information on the Timber Design Awards click here.
For all your timber and wood product resources visit Forest and Wood Products Australia (WoodSolutions), click here.
