The Pavilion is an award-winning project that marked the first ever Australian University building to get a vertical extension using XLAM Cross Laminated Timber (XLAM CLT). Australia’s largest university, Monash University, sought to extend and refurbish an existing education facility exclusively for post-graduate and executive students.

The scope of the project required XLAM to facilitate a full refurbishment of Levels 8, 9 and 10 and provided a vertical extension of Monash University’s Building H at the Caulfield Campus for a total works of 5,000m². The vertical extension, located on the existing level 8 concrete terrace, was made possible by the lightweight aspect of mass timber as compared to a traditional steel/concrete structure. The architects, NH Architecture, along with Monash University, also chose to express the natural beauty of XLAM CLT in the hallways, pre-function areas and the stair well by sanding and sealing the timber.

The new structure is expressed boldly with textured, gold zinc cladding to all sides and showcases spectacular 300-degree views from the Mornington Peninsula out to the Dandenong Mountain range, including front row seats to the Melbourne skyline.

Newshoots are an established provider of Early Childhood Education and have successfully developed several centres that they continue to operate across NZ.

The Greenhithe centre reflects the New Shoots philosophy of creating state-of-the-art early childhood education centres offering quality childcare, day-care and preschool. The building was designed to accommodate 100 children in a setting that embraces a connection to nature. The connection to nature was strengthened by the careful selection of materials, including the exposed use of XLAM CLT panels.

XLAM manufactured and supplied the structural cross-laminated timber panels that, sanded, sealed and left exposed on internal walls and ceilings, created a soft internal timber backdrop for the bespoke structure. Use of XLAM CLT along with an innovative design enabled successful development of a challenging site that had long been neglected due to the undulating topography making traditional building methodologies unsuitable. Through our ESI approach, XLAM provided advice and support through the project lifecycle, sharing our mass timber expertise to contribute to the success of the project.

The Oakleigh South Childcare Centre is a perfect example of how mass timber fits the needs of the education sector. Predominately constructed using XLAM CLT, the natural timber aesthetic in this biophilic interior is ideal for supporting the wellbeing and development of young children.

The tangible benefits observed by the client through the use of XLAM CLT included; lighter building on site through factory prefabrication, and a smaller site-construction team. The offsite prefabircation by XLAM allowed for a faster assembly, which in turn compressed the structural building program to less than two weeks; allowing for earlier occupancy and shorter-term financing requirements.

As a benefit of Mass Timber Construction, the build had improved sustainability factors, which included; 221 tonnes of CO₂ sequestered from the atmosphere, almost zero waste on site, as well as a reduction in the environmental impact through minimised foundation works due to the lightweight nature of

XLAM CLT. As a result, the project was awarded the Best Sustainable Project 2018 by the Master Builders Association of Victoria.

The University’s National Rental Affordability Scheme apartments at Inveresk is Tasmania’s first ever multi-storey mass timber residential development. Located on the banks of the North Esk River beside the University’s Inveresk campus, the development comprises of 120 apartments across two three-storey buildings, connected by common social spaces, external landings, and stairs.

XLAM was contracted to supply XLAM CLT and XLAM AirStairs for this project after the University’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) identified sustainability as a key project objective.

Through the extensive use of timber by replacing less environmentally friendly material such as concrete and steel with XLAM CLT and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) support structures, the University was able to achieve the sustainability goals set for the building. The relatively lightweight nature of timber also made it the most suitable material to combat the challenging site condition of the prevailing 18-metre-deep silt riverbank.

This resourceful approach to sustainable prefabricated student apartments received considerable recognition and went on to win the 2016 ATDA Engineered Timber Products Award for an innovative system of sustainable design.