9 October 2012

While New Zealand has a world leading reputation in growing and managing renewable forests, we still have some way to go to embrace its full potential as a building material.

Welcoming over 180 guests to the NZ Wood Resene Timber Design Awards in Auckland tonight, Jane Arnott , CEO of the NZ Wood Council, said this year’s awards, however, could signal a breakthrough of new interest in timber.

“We have three times the number of entries over last year’s awards which is also more than the number in this year’s  Australian awards.

“The evidence today, is that architects and engineers are starting to see the wood among our trees

“The irony escapes nobody how we are absolute World beaters in growing wood faster than any country but we are not the fastest in embracing its almost infinite potential as a construction material.”

Ms Arnott said the situation will be very different five years from now, mainly because of engineering and biological sciences which are creating new methods and materials for the design and construction industries.

One of the four judges this year, architect Pip Cheshire, said this year’s awards leave a very strong impression of the growing influence of science in timber design and construction

"What we are seeing is traditional ground where a skill saw and a hammer still prevail but science is growing in influence," he said.

"There is also a confluence of circumstances which have conspired to turn our attention towards timber. It might even have started with the leaky building issue.

“Architects are very conscious of energy consumption and of their role as major agents in selecting materials in an industry which consumes large amounts of energy.

“Architects are also attracted to the sustainability of timber,” he said

"The Canterbury earthquake also proved that some other building materials might not be so flexible and this seems to have triggered more thinking about timber.”

A co-judge, Ross Davison also commented that use of timber in New Zealand is starting to cross a gap from being an alternative solution to entering mainstream standards.

He said a joint industry effort will need to continue in order to achieve  this.

“Timber has been traditionally seen as a choice for housing and some recreational buildings, but I think a knowledge transfer from universities has now created a toolbox for engineers to offer architects for the design of design larger buildings.”

Mr Davison was referring to new technologies such as laminated veneer timbers, cross laminates and post tensioned systems, all of which are represented in this year’s awards

“The awards this year are a great display of what is possible and they are undoubtedly World-leading examples,” he said.

Minister for Building and Construction, Hon Maurice Williamson was special guest at the awards

He said Engineered wood products are a developing area for timber use, resulting in products that are structurally consistent and stronger than the original timber.

“They stay straight, and have very good weight-to-strength properties.  This means they can compete where steel has traditionally been the ‘go to’ option for longer span and multi-storey construction.”

This year’s awards  attracted 93 entries across the nine categories - a record in the more than 30 year history of the Timber Design Awards. Of these, 38 were selected for second stage judging 14 recognised with awards

The judging panel included  Pip Cheshire (Cheshire Architects), Duncan Joiner (Chief Architect, Department of Building and Housing), Ross Davison (Law Sue Davison, civil and structural engineers).

The awards were sponsored by Resene. Category sponsors included Mainzeal Living, Hunterbond/Nelson Pine, Opus, Southern Pine Products, decortech, BNZ, Lindsay & Dixon, Lane Neave and Scion.

Funding was also provided by the NZ Wood Processors’ Association, NZ Forest Owners Association , Farm Foresters Association and Pine Manufacturers

NZ WOOD RESENE TIMBER DESIGN AWARD WINNERS 2012

Category 1: Residential Architectural Excellence

Highly commended: Hut on Sleds

By: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

On the shore of an idyllic white sandy beach in the Coromandel Peninsularests an elegant hut for five. It is designed to be removable with thick wooden sleds and offers double height doors to close up against the elements.

The judging panel’s comments are:

“Alludes to a way of living on the landscape that is a bit foreign - a compact but beautifully formed bach that appears incredibly warm and ‘enclosing’ inside. Once it is open it is exposed with full height doors which enable one to feel touch with the beach that they are parked upon.

Winner: Under Pohutukawa

By: Herbst Architects

This sensitive site 90% covered in mature pohutukawa trees required a poetic response. The private functions of the bedrooms and garage are housed in two towers and the public space attempts to engage with the surrounding pohutukawa forest.

The judging panel’s comment:

“Such a good understanding of how to live. Judges were impressed with the way the canopy structure reflected the structure of the trees outside. Lovely strip timber on ceilings, beautiful soft layered use of timber from outside through to the eventual warmth and enclosure of within. Herbst Architects have nailed New Zealand coastal living like nobody else.”

Category 2: Commercial Architectural Excellence

Highly Commended: Scots CollegeHodge Sports Centre

By: Athfield Architects and Clendon Burns & Park.

The Hodge Sports Centre features a primary structure of curved LVL portals to form two sides to a covering shell of polycarbonate cladding. The secondary structure is made up of timber LVL purlins notched into the portals and steel cross bracing tension rods.

The judging panel’s comment:

“Well detailed connections, functional and simple and a cost-effective solution. The sports centre is a contemporary, high-tech reworking of the classic school gymnasium.”

Winner: Auckland ArtGallery - Toi O Tamaki

By: FJMT & Archimedia - Architects in Association

The new AucklandArt Galleryis characterised by a series of five tree like canopies made from carefully selected kauri. In total there are 2000 square metres of precise geometric patterns. Not a single living kauri was felled during this project.

The judges comments are:

“Visually stunning! Provides a welcoming front door to the gallery that links the city with the trees in Albert Park.”

Category 3: Engineering Excellence

Highly Commended: Carterton Events Centre

By: Opus International Consultants, Holmes Construction & Juken New Zealand Ltd

The events centre includes a 300 seat multi-use town hall/auditorium, refurbished and strengthened public library, exhibition and community spaces. The auditorium’s innovative pres-lam system uses locally grown and manufactured LVL as large vertical shear walls held in place with internal post-tensioned high strength steel rods. The walls rock in an earthquake. LVL is also utilised for 20 meter span roof trusses.

The judging panel’s comments:

“Impressive use of new technology fitted out to achieve a high level of damage avoidance well detailed to reflect the different nature of the two structures allowing them to move in relation to each other”.

Winner: MasseyUniversity Collegeof Creative Arts building

Arrow International, Athfield Architects, Dunning ThorntonConsultants and Massey University Wellington

The structure includes the world’s first multi storey timber frame. The building is designed as a series of discreet components which allowed for pre fabrication and quicker erection on site. Supported by the timber frames are innovative, prefabricated LVL/precast concrete composite floors that are notably lighter than a traditional system.

Judging panel’s comment:

“The structure wears its engineering as an ideological statement – engineering everything and turning this into architecture. While incredibly high tech, it is typically kiwi in its self-effacing practical exterior.

Category 4: Exterior Innovation

Winner: Hut on Sleds

By: Crosson Clarke Carnachan Architects

Judging panel’s comment:

Featuring macrocarpa as cladding, shutters and impressive hinged doors encourages us to see timber as a total exterior solution. A highlight is the two storey timber shutter on the front façade that winches open to form an awning.”

Category 5: Interior Innovation

Highly Commended: Christchurch Airport Air NZ Regional Lounge

By: BVN and Jasmax

Glulam pine spans over 55 metres long by 4 and half metres high with steel plate connectors at the joints. The saw tooth acoustic ceiling panels made of hoop pine veneer of MDF and hoop pine plywood fins adorn the mini Koru club. In addition the lounge features an acoustic wall and ceiling lining of battens in stained Tasmanian oak and painted pine.

The judging panel’s comment:

“A busy airport lounge is transformed into a beautifully expressive and calming space. Timber contributes the warmth and is a counterpoint to the buildings exposure to wear and tear.”

Winner: Wood Family House

By Bull + O'Sullivan Architecture

The Wood family house is actually owned by the Wood family, who are here tonight. They and their architect wanted to recognise that timber is the core of the New Zealand House. Tahuhu of carved totara talks of the Mother (west) and Father (east). The interior of demolition Kauri and Cedar works to generate strength for this family of four. There is a critical reference to the Maori church and the ceiling composition works to integrate all timber features.

The Judging Panel’s comment:

“The use of timber enables beautiful sculptural surfaces to resonate - the parquet flooring and the wonderfully sculptured ceiling…. at a time when ceilings are often ignored... a demonstration of brilliantly unstoppable enthusiasm for timber.”

Highly commended: Post-tensionedTimber Logging Bridge

By: PlunkettStream Forest#3 Ltd (represented by Prof Andy Buchanan, University of Canterbury)

This is the first post-tensioned timber box-girder bridge inNew Zealand. It is efficient both structurally and economically. It addresses the need for crossings over environmentally sensitive rivers to enable commercial logging, of course, radiata pine. With almost 8000 tonnes of logs nearby nearing maturity, the construction of a commercially viable bridge relied solely on the brilliance of the team at the University of Canterburyschool of Engineering.

Judging panel’s comment:

“Kiwi do-it-yourself with a high engineering component. A simple, yet highly technical, solution. It responds to the environmental needs and enables a heavily loaded bridge that facilitates the milling of a plantation.

Highly commended: University of Auckland: Elam Student Residence - Module Production

By: Dunning Thornton Consultants, Stanley Group, Assembly Architects & Motm Architects

The challenge was the delivery of a 468 suite, 16 storey student accommodation tower in time for the 2012 university of Aucklandacademic year – requiring nine months removed from the building programme. The units comprised of LVL, sawn timber, ply and panel products , required off-site factory production, rapid customisation and fabrication.

Judging panel’s comment:

“This heralds a sea change for building in New Zealand and a first major departure from convention. Relevant to hospitals, hotels and student halls, and all multiple use accommodation. It is a huge leap, relying on timber as the primary fabrication material for the structure and joinery in a tall building.

Winner: TUMU ITMBuilding Centre Napier

By: The University of Auckland - Strata Group Consulting Engineers Ltd - Alexanders Construction

In this project, inventors, engineers and builders collaborated to use the EXPAN Quick Connect concept – an expedient moment connection for portal frames. It is the first major use of the Quick connect in a large span warehouse application.

Judging panel’s comment:

“This construction takes away a barrier to engineered timber that being the assembly of components during construction. A level playing field has been created with steel. A conventional nail plywood steel gusset building takes time but with two timber sections, this building is easier and faster to assemble, while preserving strength. It has the potential to gain significant market share across the spectrum of retail, warehouse and industrial scale buildings “

Category 7: Indigenous Timber

Winner: Auckland Art Gallery

By: Fjmt & Archimedia – architects in association

The timber was procured from either recycled sources, existing stockpiles that had been procured prior to government legislative changes in 1993 or from “Bush Kauri”.

The judging panel’s comments :

“A startling and most impressive impact is made by the height and grandeur of the kauri timber canopies. They are absolutely beautiful. From the drawing board to the final construction, this represents real crafting.”

Category 8: Canterbury Rebuild Innovation

Highly Commended: Trimble Navigation Office and Warehouse

By: Opus International Consultants

Opus designed a new Pres-Lam structure to replace Trimble Navigation’s office and warehouse which was destroyed by fire in 2011. Upon completion it will be the first building in NZ to use both post-tensioned LVL frames and walls with energy dissipating devices for the load resisting system. Additionally beam column joints incorporate forced rocking points and timber composite floors have been designed to reduce noise penetration and vibration.

Judging panel’s comment:

This is a significant advance for the application of engineered timber in commercial construction at a scale – 6000 square metres –and breaks away from being another box like structure on the streets of the new Christchurch.”

Winner: Hollow Timber Rounds

By: mlb Consulting Engineers

A rapid, new foundation system utilising radiata pine logs that have been ‘cored’ to create a hollow member of up to 18m in length. The hollow timber rounds are driven down using jets of water through the hollow core and vibration. This removes the need for pile driving…thereby reducing foundation costs. The ‘rounds’ have additional construction applications as structural elements in residential and commercial buildings.

Judging panel’s comment:

This represents a major breakthrough innovation. The rounds address a central issue that plagues many building owners in CHCH – how to reach solid /stable foundation material economically.

Category 9: Sustainability Award

Highly commended: Kokohuia Lodge

By: Cameron Pollock Studio

We would first like to note that for this project, the relationship between the structural engineer and our judge Ross Davison was disclosed, and Ross did not participate in judging this category.

Located at Omapere in the Hokianga, the lodge is nestled within a canopy of Kanuka, Manuka and cabbage trees. The building is primarily timber sourced from sustainably managed forests, much of which was grown and milled in Northland. Internal timbers are predominantly macrocarpa finished with natural house eco-oil. The flooring is clear finished eucaplyt, the property is managed on organics principles and proudly operates off grid with solar electricity and water heating and has obtained NZ Tourisms Enviro-Gold status.

Judges comments:

“A stand-out lodge, where lots of sustainability issues are included - it is off-grid, and the efficient plan and energy efficiency over winter months is reinforced by pervasive and celebratory use of timber.

Winner: Hauraki Rail Trail Bridges

By: Frame Group

The Hauraki Plains Trail is part of the NZ Cycle Trail.

The considered use of locally sourced radiata pine and a design that facilitated the capability and plant resources of small local contractors reinforced the efficiency gaind in design and construction terms. Three structural types were used for 25 bridges, timber pole beams, glue laminated timber beams and cable suspension. Importantly the project demonstrates the sustainability benefits and advantages of timber for recreational infrastructure rather than more common steel or concrete options.

Judging panel’s comment:

“All the locally sourced timber materials are applied to the utterly familiar yet exhilarating bridge. Over time it will just blend in - two towers with cross bracing acting as a signpost, to cross here.”

ends--
Tony Edmonds (FPRINZ).

Tel: 09 634 0700/ Mob: 021446437