Boral Timber’s kiln dried F27 (KDF27) structural timber was used extensively through the UWS Climate Change Reseach Facility project
Boral Timber’s kiln dried F27 (KDF27) structural timber was used extensively through the UWS Climate Change Reseach Facility project

The University of Western Sydney has made extensive use of Boral Timber ’s kiln dried F27 (KDF27) structural timber in the development of its Climate Change and Energy Research (CCER) Facility in Richmond, NSW.

Following the current trend towards the adaptive reuse of existing buildings, the refurbishment project provides new research facilities, laboratories, lecture theatres, post graduate offices, and a publicly accessible atrium and conference exhibition space and incorporates an existing 1930s two storey brick building.

Boral Timber’s F27 kiln dried timber, in Blackbutt, was used predominantly in the public areas as a cladding and joinery treatment to provide a natural link to the existing building’s timber gable roof structure and windows.

Blackbutt timber products were also used for: linings and details for the contemporary ‘vestibule tube’, connecting the east and west entries of the building timber battens for the construction of four fully functioning thermal chimney stacks (along with scrim cloth backing) as wall and ceiling linings to absorb direct sound in the lecture theatre and the public areas.

Michael McPherson, Senior Associate with Suters Architects said, “The design intent was to clearly differentiate the old from the new through material choices and detailing, while also maintaining the integrity of the original building."

Blackbutt timber was selected for a number of reasons, including:

  • natural and locally produced
  • material conceptually linked to the building’s function of providing data and assessing the impact of climate change
  • longevity
  • durability
  • versatility
  • golden yellow and pale brown colours which provided the perfect balance with the rich, earthy brickwork of the existing structure
  • sustainability - timber certified to Australian Forestry Standard
The Boral design team worked with the contractor, client and sub contractors to determine the most efficient methods for the construction of the timber elements. The chimney stack design proved to be a unique challenge which required high levels of customisation and illustrates the distinct way in which timber can be used creatively.

The timber elements of the project, which was occupied in March 2011, were installed by Di Emme Creative Solutions and Choice Projects and was named finalist in the Public Category of the BPN Sustainability Awards 2011.

Contact Boral for more information about its hardwood timber products sourced from certified, legal and sustainably managed resources.

16.01.2012