Engineered Timber Products
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata: a feat in timber technology Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, Scion’s newly finished innovation hub for business visitors and the public alike, is a world first for a wooden diagrid structure of its size.
processing, backed up with our modern manufacturing equipment allowed us to utilise multiple CNC machines in tandem to complete this process with consistency and speed.” The custom-designed wooden ceiling was inspired by the structure of radiata pine genome, with lighting reflecting the Matariki night sky. The subtle tones of timber battens and plywood panels depict the barcoding effect from the plant DNA.
The three-storey building was constructed in a diagonal grid (diagrid) timber structure to provide strength and stiffness with less material than traditional structures.
Te Whare Nui o Tuteata showcases Scion’s science and research by building a future from timber and creating tomorrow’s products – ones that step away from fossil-based materials and made from New Zealand’s renewable forests. TimberLab’s expertise with engineered timber design and products made it the ideal partner in its construction and design.
The engineered timber structure aptly encapsulates all that this Crown Research Institute stands for, as the organisation specialises in research for science and technology development for the forest, wood and wood-derived materials, as well as other biomaterial sectors. TimberLab was involved early in the design phase of the iconic project under an ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) agreement. TimberLab projects manager, Andrew Hewitt. assisted the design team using DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly) principles to enable efficient manufacture processes and ensure the build process on site was optimised. TimberLab managing director, Darren Stead says, “With no precedence in NZ, such an ambitious design meant that developing the diagrid node connections and understanding their ability to withstand the load demands was critical to a successful outcome. “Diagrids are an efficient way to provide strength and stiffness and require less material than traditional structures. To make sure they were up to the job, the strength of the components was tested at Scion. An apex portion was subjected to 45 tonnes of downward pressure then pulled upward by a 31.5 tonne force. “A node section, where diagrid components are integrated with a horizontal member, was subjected to 20 tonnes of compression to try to twist the horizontal component – it was ultimately unsuccessful.” Scion science leader for wood processing, Doug Gaunt says that all the pieces tested,
The building is named “Te Whare Nui o Tuteata” gifted by Ngā Hapū e Toru who hold mana over the whenua. The name Te Whare Nui o Tuteata acknowledges the mana of the tupuna Tuteata, from whom Ngā Hapū e Toru descend and the connection to the whenua, Titokorangi. passed with flying colours. “Both the elements tested, comfortably performed even at the maximum design loads the engineers had calculated.”
Darren says, “TimberLab’s skills in digital manufacturing made us the ideal supply partner for this project. Our draughting team completed an accurate 3D model of over 5,000 parts that made up the LVL diagrid, LVL floor and roof framing, Glulam entry beams and custom metalwork connections. “The LVL diagrid alone required the rapid CNC processing of 4,248 parts of LVL to enable us to laminate the 88 finished diamond and triangle-shaped frames. TimberLab’s expertise in CAM + CNC
TimberLab Solutions Ltd 9 Bostock Place East Tamaki Auckland (09) 253 9349 enquiries@timberlab.co.nz www.timberlabsolutions.com
The open frame diagrid structure was designed with seismic activity in mind – the connections between the diagrid units include a component that will collapse on itself to protect the building, similar to how certain parts of a car compact in a car accident. Darren says, “Our experience in complex and bespoke manufacturing was instrumental in helping to resolve and refine the structural timber system. We worked with the project team to create the design concept, then to develop and test the components and systems used in this project. “Early collaboration meant we were able to explore options at concept phase, which in turn ensured the final design was efficient to manufacture, both in time and cost and was suitable for rapid site assembly.” The project used an abundance of different engineered timber products. The diagrid wall frame used laminated veneered lumber (LVL) technology while the floor beams and roof trusses are made from LVL as well. Cross laminated timber (CLT) was used for the floors, lift shaft panels, suspended staircases and meeting room bracing. Glulam was used for the stunning feature entrance and for the bespoke bench seating outside the building.
LVL Fabricator for The Scion Innovation Hub - Leaders in Engineered Timber Since 1958 09-2539349 | www.timberlabsolutions.com
In total, the building contains 454m3 of structural wood, storing approximately 418 tonnes of CO2-e for the life of the building. The number of emissions it stores is the equivalent of 160 return flights from Auckland to London. Choosing wood helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption during the engineered timber manufacturing and building construction stages. www.buildersandcontractors.co.nz
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