The new Parklea office and commercial building on Timbertop Boulevard has caused a stir in architectural and environmental circles for its green innovation.
The building, which was designed by i2C Architects in collaboration with Timber Design Studio, puts sustainability at the forefront.
The building designers used a combination of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT), both sustainable resources.
CLT for a sustainable timber alternative
With similar characteristics to precast concrete panel, CLT is a timber panel product that sees layers of cross laminated timber glued at a 90-degree angle in order to create large panels. GLT on the other hand, sees pieces of laminated timber layered and glued on each other in the same direction, increasing the strength.
Managing Director of Timber Design Studio structural engineer Dayne Davis said CLT is “now cementing its stance in the construction world due to the cost and positive environmental benefits it provides”.
“Not only is it a renewable wood, it actually holds carbon, and does not require the burning of fossil fuels during production,” Mr Davis said.
“What this means for the building, once complete, is that it’s got really strong fire ratings and is quite airtight. CLT is visually appealing and really does stand up when compared with alternatives. A build like this puts Parklea at the forefront of sustainability and innovation with this breakthrough design.”
Exceptional location, design and layout
Located in Parklea’s renowned Timbertop Estate, the Parklea team moved into the new building in August, while the ground floor is home to three businesses – Flow & Co Pilates, Genuine Conveyancing and New You Chiropractic.
Stage two is about to commence construction and will incorporate a Foodworks supermarket, which is due to open mid 2023.
Chiropractor Peter Vrakatselis said he was drawn to the Parklea building for its “location, design and layout”.
“It is a show piece of architecture, which I admire, and I have designed my practice to match,” Peter explained.
“I love the location, a lot of my patients live in the estate. It is new and vibrant, has a great community feel about it and great energy. With the café, school and day care, there is a lot on offer for the locals of the estate.
“I have built a brand new state-of-the-art clinic that can service the community, in a warm, sophisticated way. We offer onsite x-ray services, state-of-the-art examination and scanning equipment which includes heart rate variability (HRV) testing, nerve thermography and nerve function testing.”
A stylish hub for local businesses
Director of Genuine Conveyancing Cyndal Reumer said she liked the Timbertop location as she is local to the area and her children go to kindergarten and day care close by.
“I love the timber panelling on the building and also the height of the ceilings and windows which allows lots of natural light to flow into the space,” Cyndal said.
Cyndal’s business offers all aspects of conveyancing including residential sales and purchases, commercial sales and purchases, off-the-plan sales and purchases, subdivisions and developments, SMSF transactions, related party transactions, survivorship and legal personal representative applications and SPEAR lodgements.
The team at Flow & Co Pilates say the Timbertop location is close to the business’s other studio in Beaconsfield so members can easily pass between both.
