Sustainability & Timber Archives - MM Structural Engineering

Welcome to the Jungle House

MM Structural Engineering — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:47:04 +0000

Welcome to the Jungle House is a project which pursues world class sustainability goals and aspirations, led by Clinton Cole and is a project we are very proud to have collaborated on.

The project has won National Sustainability Awards and been recognised at the World Architecture Festival 2019. The structural engineering design of the feature green roof planters and suspended fish pond were challenging and it is these sustainable living achievements which set the project apart and showcase the design values of the project and the designer/builder.

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Five Courts House

MM Structural Engineering — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 05:23:03 +0000

On an existing builders yard industrial site, all existing site perimeter masonry walls were underpinned, remediated and built upon as the external walls to a new contemporary house. Recycled brick open course light panels were created above the original walls and the cost savings achieved by keeping the original extensive masonry walls was a tangible... Read More

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Juanita Nielsen Community Centre Upgrade

MM Structural Engineering — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:05:01 +0000

The refurbishment, upgrade and extensions to the existing community centre facility in Woolloomooloo included a gym and childcare facility along with meeting rooms and operable walls to divide or combine spaces for the differing needs of the local community groups.

The structural design of the timber roof trusses is a solution that accommodated a traditional roof truss form but with a significant change in the falls and geometry of the roof surfaces and the feature timber clad ceiling on the project reflect this fundamental change to what would otherwise have been a conventional structure. The central stairs of the gathering space is a unique folded reinforced concrete sawtooth flight stairs of coloured concrete.

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88 George Street, The Rocks

MM Structural Engineering — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:58:18 +0000

This six level building with commercial and retail space was Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authorities first major initiative since announcing its sustainability strategy.

The building’s upgrade had a project focus on waste minimisation and energy efficiency and upon completion, 88 George became the first State heritage listed building to achieve an Australian excellence rating or 5 Star Green Star Office Design rating which set a new benchmark for heritage refurbishments by both government and the private sector.

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Twin Creeks Golf Club and Conference Centre

George Adams — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:56:06 +0000

New golf clubhouse with conference facilities & separate resort accommodation provided as part of large residential development in Western Sydney.

The primary structure for the new clubhouse incorporated full timber member and connection design to achieve architecturally exposed bolted connections with precise engineering design and excellent craftmanship required in this feature timber building. Engineered timber was utilised for performance along with recycled hardwood timber meticulously sourced from a demolished warehouse in Newcastle. This recycled timber was graded and re-milled before being used on the project.

Three Capes Track, Tasmania

MM Structural Engineering — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:56:06 +0000

A truly unique project involving the design and construction of a series of walkers lodge accommodation buildings set along the Three Capes Track in South East Tasmania. The project was a rare opportunity to work within the Tasman National Park with a focus on sustainability and economy of design by using repeatable sleep ‘pod’ buildings which were fabricated off site in a factory to minimise waste and helicopter lifted into place on preformed foundations. This process forced a rigorous structural weight and materials minimisation approach which formed a large part of the projects sustainability with the benchmark set high given its environmental significance. Renewable energy is generated on site using solar and wind power generation which is stored in batteries for nighttime use. The project received an Excellence in Structural Engineering award by the Association of Consulting Structural Engineer ACSE NSW.

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UNSW Roundhouse

April Pethybridge — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:56:06 +0000

Originally designed by the office of the NSW Government Architect in 1961, the Roundhouse has always been an important student facility on campus but had been poorly altered and added to over many years.

This project sought to remove and re order all of the building surrounds while installing industry leading energy and servicing of the building. The new upgrades paid respect to the original design and a structural focus of retaining and strengthening the original structures where needed helped to highlight the sustainability values for the project.

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FABPREFAB

George Adams — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 12:56:06 +0000

This engagement is for the structural design of a series of high quality architecturally designed modular pre-fabricated building types, led by the experienced team at FABPREFAB. Cross Laminated Timber CLT is utilised as a material for its inherent strength, panelised advantages in this case and carbon storage properties. This system combined with steel framing where necessary for lifting is an excellent match and the ideals of the project align well with MM Structural Engineering’s sustainability goals. Off site construction processes are a design driver along with waste minimisation and a light touch on site all coupled with structural optimised systems to achieve the most sustainable and cost effective outcomes. We are proud to be involved in the design prototyping and development of these systems and share the FABPREFAB passion for these modular systems with efficiency and sustainability as a focus.

Agora – MAAS Architecture Commission

George Adams — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 14:48:35 +0000

This external gathering space, temporary installation at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo, was commissioned for the Sydney Design Festival 2019 as part of a series of annual architectural commissions by MAAS. The project had a goal to 100% recycle all materials after its short term run on the museum forecourt with all fabric to be re-used as site hoarding.

The main innovation brought by MM Structural Engineering was to re-engineer the entire structure to only be built from standard 90 x 45 MGP10 timbers with bolted connections. This would enable all timber members to be easily dismantled and re-used as standard timber frame house studs by the builder in other projects and was a significant sustainability success of the project. Read more at:

https://penhaleandwinter.com/Selected-Projects/MAAS-Architecture-Commission

https://www.jscbuild.com.au/watch-it-happen

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