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Cross-laminated timber and glue-laminated timber building in Launceston coming to life.
In the heart of Launceston, Tasmania, the construction of its first cross-laminated timber (CLT) building is underway for health insurance company, St. Luke’s Health. (main pic: St Luke’s new mass-timber building. Image credit: Councillor (Hobart) Ryan Posselt.)
Designed by Terroir, the office building aims to set new standards in sustainability, aspiring to be the most environmentally friendly and carbon-positive development in Tasmania. It will serve as the headquarters for St. Luke’s Health in Launceston and has reused elements of the existing building, with the retention of external walls, concrete floor, and timber trusses.
According to Terroir: “The 5,500sq.m. project will be most sustainable and carbon positive office development in Tasmania, and the targeted 40% reduction in carbon will be one of the first Net Zero Carbon projects in Australia and contains a contemporary work environment that is a central component of the vision for a healthy community.”
Adaptive reuse was also part of the design philosophy of the CLT building, as a life cycle plan is in place for ensuring that when it’s no longer needed, the timber structure can be repurposed and reengineered. This approach from Terroir, in collaboration with Timber Design Studio, emphasised the use of sustainably sourced timber, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by up to 40% compared to conventional construction methods.
Internally, the workplace has been designed with a focus on natural elements, featuring abundant greenery and ample natural light through glazed facades, creating a vibrant and eco-friendly work environment.
Nearly 90 per cent of the building’s CLT was sourced from XLam’s manufacturing plant in Wodonga, and the glue-laminated timber (Glulam) for the post and beam structure was sourced from European manufacturer HESS TIMBER.
The building also represents a part-contribution from Tasmanian CLT manufacturer CUSP and their hardwood iteration of cross-laminated timber.
See: https://xlam.co/
See: https://cusp.com.au/
