Scentre Group demonstrates sustainable commitment with use of mass timber

Scentre Group, the owner and operator of Westfield destinations, recently completed the new atrium at Westfield Knox in Melbourne, using glue-laminated timber (Glulam) supplied by Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), otherwise known as MASSLAM. (main pic: Westfield Knox’s mass timber atrium with MASSLAM.)

The decision to use MASSLAM, a mass timber manufacturing process which produces larger beam sizes and long structural lengths, was driven by Scentre Group’s commitment to sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and creating an attractive space for customers and the community.

The use of MASSLAM also aligned with customer expectations that new developments need to actively demonstrate core values that support progressive, and forward-thinking organisations who are prepared to build, and invest in a sustainable future.  

In collaboration with ASH’s in-house design team, the Westfield Knox development aimed to respond to the local context, character, and history with particular references to nature drawn from the surrounding Dandenong Ranges.

Sasha Velisavljevic, construction project manager, Scentre Group, said: “We want to create places more people choose to come, more often for longer, and mass timber presents an advantage by bringing buildings to life with its natural aesthetic.”

Additionally, the use of mass timber aligned with the company’s commitment to minimising their environmental footprint and seeking to use environmentally friendly, renewable, and sustainable building material on their projects.

To ensure a local supply chain and allow a direct connection with the manufacturer, Scentre Group sourced the mass timber from ASH. Sourcing raw material from timber harvested from certified sustainably managed regrowth forests and supporting local forestry dependent communities was also important to the company.

Scentre Group’s in-house design and construction team delivered the project, with the skylight design at Westfield Knox conceived by their conceptual design team in response to the project’s vision. The design development process was seamless, given the benefit of working with ASH who provided their own in-house design and engineering.

Using design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) principles, the project was modelled virtually before the first cut was made, allowing for careful consideration of each connection’s final requirements prior to manufacture. The benefits of DfMA also allowed for the seamless coordination of building services, glazing framework design, and zero wastage on site.

A major design objective was to ensure the final completed structure would have no visible connections (particularly steel connection plates).

“The glulam skylight structure is proving a huge success with all stakeholders excited to see the final product at Westfield Knox. Following this success, we have new projects currently in early concept stage considering mass timber in various forms of design application,” said Velisavljevic.

The use of mass timber in Westfield Knox’s atrium showcases the benefits of using sustainable and locally sourced materials, as well as the advantages of DfMA principles in reducing wastage and ensuring a seamless design and construction process.

Scentre Group’s commitment to sustainability and creating attractive spaces that meet the needs of their customers, enhances their experience, and confirms their use of mass timber has embedded itself in future developments.

See: https://www.scentregroup.com/home

See: https://ash.com.au/