New Zealand’s Prime Minister was Guest of Honour last Month at the Official Opening of Crown Forest Institute’s New Innovation Centre, Te Whare Nui O Tuteata in Rotorua
Ardern said she was incredibly impressed with what had been achieved. “It is not often you see a building that showcases what is possible with timber. Traditionally in New Zealand we have built large commercial buildings out of steel and concrete but this showcases what can be done with trees in the right place with the right purpose.”
“May we see more of this throughout our land.”
She said despite the current climate, investment in forestry remained important.
“Forestry has such a big part to play in overcoming one of our largest challenges as a country and that is climate change. This building is a showcase of Kiwi innovation.”
Scion chairwoman Dr Helen Anderson thanked those responsible for building it, saying it was “built on time and on budget”.
Scion Chief Executive Dr Julian Elder said “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata is an example of timber technology and innovative design and construction that has been created through collaboration with New Zealand designers, wood processors and construction firms. This building is a symbol of the powerful connections we foster between Scion, local iwi, government, industry and the local community.”
TimberLab were excited to have been involved early in the design phase of this iconic project; going on to manufacture the LVL diagrid, LVL floor and roof framing, glulam entry beams and custom metalwork connections.
Read more about this unique structure in ARCHITECTURE NOW and Builders & Contractors
