milestones to the client since it simplifies iterative design improvements and enables designers to create compelling presentations. The SketchUp model was frequently used to show the building's scale and appearance without having to model as many details as is common with other software programs. This simplicity allowed them to save time and not promise color schemes or other specifics that needed to be changed later. When the team wanted to show more realistic details like material and shadow for project milestones, they used Enscape.
Once the design was modeled in 3D, the timber manufacturers imported the files into software that their CNC machines could read. The manufacturers made a virtual model of everything they would manufacture and ran it through digital processing before cutting any timber. This reduced rework and material waste. Components were then cut at the timber factory and shipped to the site in batches for specific building sections, further simplifying assembly on site. The building parameters went up within two days, the floors were installed in a week, and the second-story framing took another couple of days. Using timber and the new joinery system saved time during the build and won the team many accolades down the road. World-class design that will stand the test of time After completion, the building was certified carbon neutral due to the significant amount of timber involved, which is a carbon-negative material. The building’s operating costs are also approximately half of those typically seen in a civic or commercial building. The building’s success is a result of a design team committed to environmental, cultural and social responsibility, along with a client who believed in the importance of those considerations. Naish cautioned that, “It’s not just about striving for every potential green cost-saving measure. The client needs to share a commitment to building sustainability for the good of the planet.” From the way it pays homage to the forest with a symbolic design that honors local people, to how it aligns with the facility's mission, the cascading benefits of the design process were possible due to cutting- edge timber technology, carbon-neutral design and stunning aesthetics. “Many children will come in on school trips or with their families, and they just love to sit where the timber beams form a cradle. You see adults touching the wood, hanging out in the building like they might in a forest clearing. You don't usually see this childlike behavior with adults–it’s been fantastic,” said Naish.
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Spring 2024 csengineermag.com
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