Parklea has enlisted i2C Architects to bring to life its Timbertop Estate, located in Melbourne’s south-east. The mixed-use hub will feature an innovative combination of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT), an underutilised and sustainable resource within the built environment.

i2C have formulated the design with the help of Timber Design Studio. The hub will service the 700-residence Timbertop Estate in Officer via a retail offering, and will comprise Parklea’s new commercial office. Parklea was eager to explore the offerings of both CLT and GLT within the build, due to its sense of warmth and environmentally friendly qualities.

Similar to a precast concrete panel, CLT is made up of layers of cross laminated timber glued at a 90-degree angle in order to create large panels. GLT sees pieces of laminated timber layered and glued on each other in the same direction, increasing the strength. While CLT can speed up construction time frames on site, the design process is often very meticulous.

“The industry has been reluctant to move into CLT and GLT design largely due to the upfront communication required to get the project outcomes right, as well as reservations around fire. These risks can be readily mitigated by adding char ratings to the timber and setting clear PPR outcomes with the consultancy team from the start, making for a much smoother on site construction phase,” says i2C Senior Project Lead, David Hendy.

“After these initial specificities have been worked out with the off site production, the use of CLT and GLT will usually speed up the construction process.”

Having been a major advocate of CLT for sometime, the project serves as i2C’s first design using the material. A rather fitting textural choice for Timbertop Estate, the building’s facade will feature a robust palette of glass and brick, that further grounds the building in a residential setting.

With the sustainability outcomes being so great in a community setting, a build such as this paves the way for future CLT usage among developers, says Dayne Davis, Managing Director of Timber Design Studio.

“CLT is now cementing its stance in the construction world due to the cost effectiveness and positive environmental benefits it provides. Not only is the timber used in this project sustainably sourced, but it continues to sequester carbon throughout the operational lifetime of this building,” he says.

“What this means for the building as a whole, once complete, is that not only will the client have a fully sustainable and biophilic design, but through the work of ADP and i2C this will also be a high-performance building which will be reducing the overall operational carbon required to run the office annually. A build like this puts Parklea at the forefront of sustainability and innovation with this breakthrough design.

“We’re honoured to have had the pleasure of collaborating with i2C for the new Parklea commercial centre, which marks i2C’s future in being able to provide more innovative solutions when it comes to sustainability.”

The Timbertop Estate commercial hub is due for completion in early 2022. For more information regarding the project, visit i2c.com.au.

Image: Supplied

Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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