Construction underway on Murdoch University’s new mass timber building

23 June 2021

David Rowlinson

With Multiplex being appointed both the design and construct contract, the project is set to become the largest mass timber construction in Western Australia and in any university campus in the country.

“The New Academic Building will showcase Murdoch University’s sustainability ethos while upholding campus amenity, planning, built form and landscape heritage,” said Chris Palandri, regional director of Multiplex.

NAB will be constructed with a timber structure, a roof that will be fitted with photo voltaic cells to serve as a renewable energy generator, as well as naturally ventilated and mixed mode systems to reduce energy consumption.

“As a university that prides itself on our bush campus, with a strong 20-year masterplan, we are focused on the delicate balance of the local environment as we proceed with the construction of the New Academic Building,” said Darren McKee, COO of Murdoch University.

The new building will target a 6-star energy rating and will be a 6 Star Green Star Ecologically Sustainable Development.

“We have been working with our own Murdoch experts together with those from our partners to implement comprehensive environmental plans,” added McKee.

The structure of the building itself will be made of glulam and cross laminated timber (CLT), to be sourced from sustainable suppliers in Australia and Europe.

National architects Lyons and Perth-based architects The Fulcrum Agency, Officer Woods and Silver Thomas Hanley have collaborated on the design.

“This project provides an opportunity to foster WA industry expertise in mass engineered timber projects and will show case to the broader property and construction industry, and in particular current industry students, the type of innovation we can be applying to all future construction projects,” said Palandri.

With construction having commenced in June 2021, NAB is scheduled for completion in early 2023.

Article first appeared in Australian Property Journal

David Rowlinson

David hails from Lancashire, England and has lived in Australia since 1994. He studied Architecture at Sheffield University and also has an MBA from Macquarie University and a Master of Marketing from UNSW. Prior to joining Planet Ark in 2016 David was Marketing Manager then CEO of a major Sydney-based manufacturer of modular carpets used in all commercial building applications. His proudest achievement was the development of an industry-leading environmental sustainability agenda, including the unique Earthplus product reuse program.