Hothouse for innovation
Australia could be described as a late mover as far as sustainable construction is concerned. One of its timber buildings – the award-winning Macquarie University Incubator – shows how to reduce energy and resources on all levels.
The design process for the Macquarie University Incubator focused on two key requirements: on the one hand, the time frame for construction had to be short. And on the other, the entire structure needed to be suitable for potential relocation. These specifications originated from the purpose of the building. Incubators are most commonly associated with hospitals, for infants that are born prematurely. Whereas in the business world, they are institutions that help start-ups and fledgling companies until they can flourish independently. This is why the time factor was such an important aspect here.
The team at Architectus took decisions that produced an appropriate design. Considering the requirements involved, it is less surprising that they chose timber as the building material. After all, digital planning allows rapid and high-precision prefabrication of the construction elements, which minimizes time on the building site. It also enabled the least possible disturbance to university life in Sydney’s suburb of North Ryde, which continued while the building was being constructed. Choosing the right connectors also allows a timber construction to be easily disassembled later on.
Constructed in five months
In this case, two interlinked wooden pavilions were built within five months. However, the University Incubator looks less like a provisional, purely functional office site. Rather, it is a structure with a well-conceived design, workspaces that are flooded with light and a comfortable working environment. And it is a work of art that is unlikely to be accomplished using any other construction method.
The visible support structure of this wooden building is made up of different timber construction products such as large-span laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams, V-shaped glulam columns, a cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof and exterior walls consisting of veneer panels. “Timber was selected as the main construction material for its capacity to be beautifully engineered, swiftly fabricated to high quality, and for its potential for future disassembly and relocation,” according to the project description from Architectus.
Integrated in the landscape
The layout is designed to allow maximum flexibility for present and future use. And to enable the individual start-ups to work together closely while also operating as independent companies. This results in an open spatial concept interrupted by lounge areas and smaller seminar rooms.
Timber was selected for its capacity to be beautifully engineered and for its potential for future disassembly and relocation.
Architectus, architectural studio
The timber design generated a lightweight support structure fitted to a steel foundation. Unlike with concrete foundations, this structure can be fully disassembled. Civil engineers Arup designed the building to be integrated into the natural topography of the landscape while avoiding any major earthworks and without felling any trees on the premises.
No soil sealing
Extending the roof overhangs protects the timber and also adds shading against direct sunlight. Rain guttering was excluded as the surrounding gardens catch the water in a collecting tank during storms and downpours. The strategy also avoids any kind of soil sealing throughout the construction project. Entrance to the Incubator is via wooden walkways and gravel paths.
The decision taken by the project partners to choose innovation instead of conventional solutions has contributed to large savings in primary energy and lower energy consumption in day-to-day operations. Instead, at every stage of planning they explored how to find a holistic solution that would save resources while reducing climate damage to a minimum.
Innovative and sustainable building
“The Incubator is one of the best examples of innovative collaboration between client, designer, contractor and subcontractors that I’ve ever seen. Together we delivered a visionary project within budget, on-time and to a quality that exceeded everyone’s expectations,” explained Mark Broomfield, formerly Director of Property at Macquarie University.
Together we delivered a visionary project within budget, on-time and to a quality that exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Marc Broomfield, former Director of Property at Macquarie University
For instance, this includes a photovoltaic system on the roof and also predominantly natural building ventilation. Together with the roof overhangs and double-glazed windows, the summer heat can be kept in check – a considerable lever for energy saving in Sydney’s subtropical climate.
Australia needs to catch up
As the Incubator is supposed to serve as hothouse for innovations, it is only logical that the building itself is innovative as well. Australia could be described as a late mover as regards sustainable construction and energy efficiency, certainly compared to other developed countries.
According to current figures, residential properties cause around 12 percent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to their high energy consumption, which partly results from the use of air conditioning.
This exemplary building on the outskirts of Sydney takes a different approach. And its architecture has won multiple awards, including the National Sustainability Award and the Australian Timber Design Award.
Text: Gertraud Gerst
Translation: Rosemary Bridger-Lippe
Photos: Brett Boardman