MASS TIMBER SITE VISITS AND SEMINAR ROADSHOW HIT THE SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND THIS NOVEMBER
14 November – Dunedin – Otago Polytechnic – LVL and CLT (under construction)
The installation of laminated veneer lumber (LVL) structural components marks a major milestone in the construction of Otago Polytechnic’s multi-million-dollar trades training centre, He Toki Kai Te Rika. The use of LVL and cross laminated timber (CLT) is part of their strong sustainability focus, which follows living building challenge (LBC) principles. The project is significant to both the local and national construction industry.
CLT is also being used in the three-storey design to provide a low-damage seismic resistance which would dissipate energy in an earthquake.
Construction of the $31.7 million project at the heart of Otago Polytechnic’s Forth St Campus in Dunedin began in January 2021. It is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. About 200 tradespeople, construction managers and consultants are engaged in the build.
15 November – Christchurch – Site Visit: Hornby Working Men’s Club
In collaboration with RM Designs, the team at Hornby Working Men’s club have created not only a dining destination, but also a place to be social, play sports and create memories.
Being part of the community for the past 65 years, the Hornby Club’s brief was to create a new era, with a fresh look where the surrounding community feel welcomed. See more
16 November – Nelson – Site Visit: Hardy Street apartments – CLT (under construction)
The project is a 4-storey residential apartment building and the main mass timber elements for main structure are all now in place. The developer’s key reason for choosing CLT was to be able to design the shape and height of the building; this allowed the internal layouts of the town houses to be a lot more flexible. Mass timber is used to achieve the bracing and seismic performance for 4 levels with a lightweight building structure.
With this site having space constraints, CLT solved a lot of issues due to the lightness of the panels with 3.8t being the heaviest, so they could be placed with a Hiab which provided cost savings compared to a crane.
We had very strong interest in the sustainability aspect of the build from town house purchasers to allow the project to proceed.
