Back to top arrow
Overview Sustainability Site Efficiencies Biophilia Strong & Durable

Potassium Street Warehouse, Narangba QLD

146 Potassium St, Narangba QLD

Commercial

Client

Sancus Property

Architect

Zeen Design

Location

146 Potassium St, Narangba QLD

Mass Timber Engineer

XLAM

Foundational Engineer

Edge Consulting

Building methodology

Hybrid build

Queensland’s first mass timber industrial warehouse sets a new standard for sustainable construction.

About the project

As demand grows for environmentally responsible industrial developments, Sancus Property has delivered one of Queensland’s first mass timber warehouses — a 3,000m² facility designed to prove that sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.

Located in Narangba, the warehouse features glue laminated timber (GLT) columns and trusses, cross laminated timber (CLT) end and side walls, and a CLT-framed internal office where the warmth and biophilic qualities of timber are on full display. All CLT surfaces in the office space were left exposed, creating a welcoming, tactile workplace environment within the broader warehouse shell.

For Sancus, this project marked their first foray into mass timber construction. Impressed with the results, they’ve since committed to using CLT and GLT in future projects — a testament to the adaptability and value of engineered timber in the industrial sector.

Outcome

Sustainability was the key driver behind every decision on this project. By choosing CLT and GLT as the primary structural solution, the warehouse has sequestered an estimated 385 tonnes of CO₂—the equivalent of removing around 140 cars from the road for a year.

But the environmental benefits were only part of the story. The use of mass timber also delivered a high-performing, efficient and architecturally refined outcome, made possible through XLAM’s Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach.

This process saw XLAM’s team involved early, using advanced 3D modelling to design each CLT and GLT element for both structural performance and manufacturing efficiency. Every component was precision-cut, prepped off-site, and delivered in the exact order needed—ready for rapid installation with no rework required. Transport and installation were carefully

sequenced to align with the builder’s program, reducing onsite coordination issues and overall build time.

The result was a smoother construction process and a faster delivery—completing the build in just six months—while setting a new benchmark for sustainable industrial development.

“This project is our first with mass timber — and it won’t be our last. The process, outcome and sustainability credentials exceeded expectations.””

Sancus Property

Design and structure

Designed with strength, functionality and sustainability in mind, the warehouse structure combines engineered timber elements to meet the demands of a modern industrial facility. GLT columns and long-span roof trusses form the primary structural frame, supporting CLT wall panels and a CLT-framed internal office. This approach enabled large, open warehouse bays without the need for heavy steel sections or load-intensive concrete panels.

The use of CLT for the warehouse end walls and partial-height side walls provided a streamlined solution that reduced structural complexity while supporting a clean, modern aesthetic. Internally, the CLT office features fully exposed surfaces—creating a warm, biophilic environment for occupants that’s rarely seen in industrial settings.

One of the key advantages of using mass timber was its significantly lighter weight compared to conventional materials. This reduced the pressure on foundations and simplified coordination with the concrete footings and plinths used to anchor the structure. Timber-to-timber and timber-to-steel connections were made using Rothoblaas fixings and custom steel bracketry, ensuring a durable and high-performing build without compromising on design intent.

Mass timber also offered the flexibility to meet the building’s 10-bay, wide-span layout, with GLT members sized and fabricated to accommodate structural loads without adding unnecessary bulk. Insulated roof panels by Kingspan were paired with the airtight and thermally efficient CLT elements, enhancing the building’s overall performance without additional linings or complexity.

This project demonstrates that mass timber is not only viable for industrial-scale construction—but can deliver meaningful gains in simplicity, strength, and long-term usability for developers looking beyond traditional construction methods.

Original Image

289m3

XLAM CLT

125m3

XLAM GLT

385 tonnes

CO2 sequestered

=140 cars

taken off the road for a year

1,000+ projects completed across sectors including

aged care.

commercial.

residential.

industrial.

education.

All projects
Arrow
Commercial
New Zealand

Plant and Food Research: Seafood Research Centre
Education
Australia

University of Tasmania Inveresk Student Residences
Commercial
New Zealand

Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, Scion Innovation Hub
Residential
New Zealand

Addington House
Commercial
New Zealand

Plant and Food Research: Seafood Research Centre
Education
Australia

University of Tasmania Inveresk Student Residences
Aged Care
New Zealand

Arvida Park Lane Retirement Village
Commercial
Australia

Adelaide Oval Hotel