Korora Rd

Project Description

CREDITS: Architect: Manifest Architects / Structural Engineer: HLK Jacob / Builder: Whelan Building Ltd / Mass Timber Installer: Woodtek NZ / Products: CLT and Glulam

The Project
New Zealand

Nestled in a stunning natural setting, the project site presented several challenges. Limited accessibility made transporting and assembling construction materials difficult, requiring innovative solutions to ensure a smooth and efficient build. Additionally, the project called for materials that not only delivered exceptional structural performance but also harmonized aesthetically with the environment.

Red Stag TimberLab’s Involvement

Red Stag TimberLab (RSTL) was engaged to supply and manufacture all structural timber components, including Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) floors, walls, and roofs, as well as Glue-Laminated Timber (Glulam) beams and columns. Leveraging its expertise, RSTL provided:

• Off-Site Manufacturing: The structural timber elements were prefabricated off-site to precise specifications, transported, and lifted into place; enabling quick and seamless assembly. This off-site approach not only overcame the site’s accessibility challenges but also expedited the construction process, ensuring smooth progress from the floor slab to the roof.
• Single-Source Supply: RSTL’s ability to act as a single-source supplier for all structural timber elements offered unmatched efficiency. By delivering a combined drawing package, RSTL ensured seamless connection detailing, reduced shop drawing review times, and streamlined on-site installation.

Digital Fabrication

Every component was meticulously modelled in a 3D digital environment, enabling precision CNC profiling for exact dimensions. This approach not only ensured structural integrity but also minimised installation errors. Connections were pre-integrated with brackets and fixings and delivered as a kitset for a flawless and expedited build process.

Red Stag Renewable Energy

The extensive use of CLT and Glulam highlighted the project’s commitment to sustainability. As the lowest-carbon CLT supplier in New Zealand, Red Stag TimberLab leverages its self-sufficient renewable energy generation to set a benchmark in sustainable construction practices.

• Bio-Fuel Energy: Offcuts from sawing and planning are utilized as bio-fuel to generate electricity and provide thermal energy for drying timber. Additionally, Red Stag Timber exports surplus electricity to the national grid, contributing to New Zealand’s energy needs.
• Thermal Energy Efficiency: By using wood waste as the energy source for kiln drying – a process that accounts for over 85% of a modern sawmill’s energy usage, Red Stag Timber minimizes CO2 emissions and landfill waste.

Results

Through innovative off-site manufacturing, digital fabrication, and sustainable practices, RSTL’s involvement transformed a challenging site into a showcase of efficiency and design excellence. The prefabricated structural timber elements enabled a rapid build, minimized on-site disruptions, and delivered a warm, natural aesthetic that complements the surrounding environment.

Combined with the visual appeal of exposed timber surfaces, this project is a testament to the synergy between sustainable practices and design excellence. Red Stag TimberLab continues to lead the way in creating innovative and sustainable mass timber solutions, setting new benchmarks in building programme efficiency for residential construction.