Britton Timbers recommended Quarter Sawn American White Oak to the developers of the Barangaroo urban renewal project for the commercial towers being built to house leading global organisations.
One of the most ambitious redevelopments in the world today, the Barangaroo precinct is situated on the western edge of Sydney Harbour, with the landmark project seeking to be a global reference point for design excellence and sustainability. The project is owned by the NSW Government, and managed by the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
With Barangaroo set to become a preferred destination for leading global organisations in the Asia Pacific, Britton Timbers was contacted by Lendlease during the design phase for consultations on timber. According to Britton Timbers Director Dominic McNeil, Lendlease was designing three commercial towers to house these organisations, and wanted timber in the foyers, boardrooms, and eateries. They also wanted a dramatic end grain floor in the lobby and inside the lifts.
Britton Timbers recommended Quarter Sawn American White Oak for Lendlease’s application. Mr McNeil explains that the timber is distinctive, hard wearing, very stable, beautiful and exclusive, making it the perfect choice for the Barangaroo project. There are only two mills in the world that currently produce this timber, one of which is Frank Miller Lumber in Indiana USA. Britton Timbers is the exclusive stockist in Australia for Quarter Sawn American White Oak from Frank Miller Lumber.
The quarter sawing process cuts the board on a 90-degree angle. Logs are quartered before they are cut, exposing the medullary ray - a flake-like grain - and creating a board that is very stable and beautiful. Traditional sawing, on the other hand, results in a back sawn grain.
To emphasise the suitability of their recommended choice for the Barangaroo application, Britton Timbers flew the Frank Miller Lumber Architectural Specifier representative, Criswell Davis out from the US to present the timber’s credentials to Lendlease. The timber was then cut specifically for the job and brought across from the US to the Barangaroo site.
Mr McNeil concludes that the use of timber in commercial buildings brings warmth and life to the workspace, and allows for design innovation.
