Mass Timber (CLT & LVL)

Bendigo Government Hub “Galkangu”

Client:

Develop Victoria

Architect:

Lyons

Head Contractor:

Icon Fairbrother

Location:

Bendigo, VIC, Australia

Building Methodology:

Mass Timber: CLT & GLT
XLam CLT (2733m3)

XLam supplied Cross Laminated Timber, XLam CLT, supporting the use of sustainable construction materials for this important mass timber building, featuring Victoria’s largest timber frame, that is an architectural landmark in the region.

Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub is a successful $90m Develop Victoria construction project that centralises the delivery of Government Services in the Bendigo region.

As an important building for the region, Bendigo GovHub brings together around 900 City of Greater Bendigo and Victorian Government workers into a central location and transforms the heart of Bendigo. Galkangu – Bendigo GovHub is one of three recently constructed regional council offices to co-locate Bendigo City council officers.

XLam supplied sustainable XLam CLT and ASH GLT for the project, along with our mass timber and DfMA expertise, to support head contractor Icon Fairbrother to achieve key project outcomes including reducing carbon emissions during construction by using natural and sustainable building materials.

The project brought 200 jobs to the local community, a $131m boost to the local economy and provides a healthy environment for occupants and visitors.

Design & Structure

Icon Fairbrother worked with Lyons Architects and Arup Engineering to design and build the multi-use development. The project team collaborated with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to include Indigenous design elements and language in the architecture, landscaping, and spaces.

Featuring Victoria’s largest timber frame, the 4-storey mass timber building consists of a glass façade, XLam CLT floors and GLT post and beams. The mass timber structure is built on a concrete slab with pre-cast lift-cores. Timber forms the columns, posts, beams, floors, and the frame for the glass façade which is in the shape of the Dja Dja Wurrung shield.

The project design called for exposed timbers with a FRL of 90mins and required additional lateral bracing at perimeters with GLT. Head contractor Icon Fairbrother completed Bendigo GovHub for a handover and opening early 2023.

At 9,000m2 GFA, across 4 storeys, Bendigo GovHub demonstrates the structural capability of mass-timber. XLam manufactured and supplied all the CLT in the building. XLam undertook the design development of the mass timber components including detailed connection design and preparation of BIM 3D model to LOD400. Arup provided design certification and XLam provided fire testing.

Importantly, XLam used our mass timber and DfMA expertise to rationalise the CLT connection design in collaboration with Arup, the project engineer. XLam and Arup reduced the requirement for expensive proprietary fixings offering significant cost savings to the project.

Outcome

Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub is celebrated as the largest timber framed building in Victoria and a landmark project that centralises government services to provide greater amenity to the community through the delivery of first-class government services. Head contractor Icon Fairbrother completed Bendigo GovHub for a handover and opening early 2023.

XLam supported the project outcomes, supplying a total of 2,733m3 of XLam CLT to the project along with, MTC expertise technical advice and support.

The sustainable mass timber design using XLam CLT met key project drivers including;

Environmentally conscious sustainable construction
Largest timber framed building in Victoria
Reduction in carbon emissions during construction
Cost reduction from XLam mass timber design expertise reducing expensive fixings
Aiming to achieve 6 Star Green Design and As-Built Ratings
Aiming to achieve 6 Star Nabers Energy Rating
Using timber as a sustainable and natural building material
Exposed timbers with a FRL of 90mins
Design reflecting Dja Dja Wurrung Culture