Overview
The University’s National Rental Affordability Scheme apartments at Inveresk is Tasmania’s first timber multi-storey residential development, located on the banks of the North Esk River beside the University’s Inveresk campus.
The development comprises 120 apartments across two three-storey buildings, connected by common social spaces, external landings and stairs.
Technical expertise was provided by the University’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood. The promotion of sustainable construction for the Tasmanian timber industry was a key CSAW objective.
Structural System
The design team with Hutchinsons developed a prefabrication enterprise close to the construction site. The modular apartments were fully framed, clad and fitted out in an assembly line process, then delivered to site, stacked, and connected. They were then linked with a series of access landings, stairs and common areas, constructed in XLam CLT in conjunction with structural steel frames.
“CLT was selected ahead of competing floor systems because of its good performance in fire.”
CLT was selected ahead of competing floor systems because of its good performance in fire. The 200mm thick floor panels comprise five layers of Radiata pine lamella. The CLT was shipped direct to Launceston from Port Nelson, near the NZ XLam factory.
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Customer Endorsements
“Prefabricated volume modules and CLT connecting floors and walkways, working in combination, were deemed to be the most suitable light weight construction for the prevailing 18m deep silt river bank site conditions and, in conjunction with the speed of prefabricated construction, were instrumental in making the project feasible.”
“The XLam AirStairs took a fraction of the erection time we expect for precast concrete stairs. If I had realised how quick it would be we would have dispensed with the temporary stair. Please convey my thanks to Mike and Sam at XLam for their help and support.”
