Victoria's largest mass timber Project with a structure mainly made from cross-laminated timber (CLT)

The new student accommodation is the first to be built on campus since the 1970s and forms part of La Trobe University's ambitious plan to transform its Bundoora campus. Utilising 3500 cubic meters of Cross Laminated and GluLam timber, this project now provides over 600 new beds and new student amenities to support all kinds of experiences, since living with roommates enjoys the luxury of an unsuited room or live solo in a studio.

Leveraging our significant timber expertise and in-house bespoke design tools, Multiplex engaged TTW as the principal structural engineer, following our earlier value engineering advice during the tender period. Likewise, our Façade team reviewed the full design documentation of the façade material, details and tests.

Through the entire project, TTW delivered all key structural packages, including CLT and Glulam, as well as concrete substructure packages, in less than two months from appointment, to meet the fast-tracked procurement and construction program. This included having our team attend design workshops in Europe with the timber supplier, to fast track the design coordination and shop drawing process - underpinning our commitment to service our clients.

Our innovative structural solutions that resulted in significant material and programmatic savings without compromising the architectural design intent, contributed to this project to achieve a 5 Star Green Star design rating, while is targeting a 5 Green Star as-built rating with the use of CLT which has the capacity to halve the embodied carbon in the building relative to a concrete structure. CLT is also a non-toxic, fire-resistant, renewable resource with a long life cycle.

 

Client: La Trobe University

Architect: JCB Architects

Builder: Multiplex

Completion: 2020

Images: Multiplex

Sector: Universities, Residential

Services: Timber, Structural, Facade

Awards:

  • 2021 – Architecture & Design Sustainability Awards – Multi-Residential Dwelling – Highly Commended
  • 2020 – Timber Design Awards – Multi Residential Award