XLAM CLT and GLT products met the design objectives for the Royd Clan’s House in Ceres, Victoria, with the materiality addressing several environmental, structural and sustainability factors.
The owners of Royd Clan’s House were inspired to build a home that incorporated playful and sustainable architecture, while assimilating the outlying environment. Responding to the owners’ objectives, XLam was engaged by Nadine Samaha of Level Architekture at the early stages to assist the project stakeholders in the design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA) process of this entirely mass timber construct.
The concept design for the Royd Clan’s House was inspired by the surrounding landscape, emulating the boulders found across the property. Located on one of the highest points in Geelong, the locality of Ceres is susceptible to strong winds, which strengthened the idea of fragmenting the house into a collection of pavilions aimed to reduce wind turbulence while maximising north exposure and reinforcing the boulder aesthetics.
Scattered stones from the remainder of the existing late 1800 farmhouse were incorporated as supporting walls for the internal stairs, which also respond to the owners’ desire for playful architecture.
XLam cross laminated timber (CLT) and glue laminated timber (GLT) were used for the innovative design to address several environmental and structural factors, while simultaneously ensuring sustainability and creating a warm biophilic atmosphere.
CLT was specified for the floor, roof diaphragm and walls of each pavilion, while GLT portal frames were arranged in one of the primary axes of each pavilion.
On completion, the total volume of timber used for the Royd Clan’s House amounted to 180m³ of CLT and 40m³ of GLT, which will be regrown in just 17 minutes in Australian pine plantations.
Structural System
Taking off on the existing boulders found on the property, the Royd Clan’s House is made up of a set of pavilions that feature large open spaces and unique geometry. Nevertheless, this bespoke design lends itself to some structural challenges, including lateral stability, vertical load transfer, and connectivity.
To address some of these challenges, a CLT shear wall was incorporated into each pavilion. Running perpendicular to the GLT portal frames, the shear wall aids by transferring lateral forces from the exterior walls, floors, and roof to the ground foundation.
CLT was also used for the upper floors and roof diaphragm, as well as the inclined walls for each pavilion. These angled walls reduced the concrete slab surface, while simultaneously creating an improved connection with the upper mezzanine level.
XLam prefabricated the CLT panels and GLT beams with CNC machines to ensure all elements could be assembled with a high degree of precision onsite, which was crucial for a structure with such unique and complex geometry. In total, it took 10 days to erect the CLT panels and 15 days for the GLT beams.
In meeting the sustainability goal, over 220m³ of timber was used throughout the property, equivalent to a total of 121kg of carbon sequestered from the atmosphere and stored within the timber. What’s more, the thermal performance of CLT also added great value to the property. Due to the thermal mass of CLT, the temperature of the home remains stable throughout the day, keeping the interior spaces warm in winter and cool in summer, thus reducing energy usage and costs.
Outcome
Working in collaboration with project stakeholders, XLam was able to assist in delivering a building that met the owner’s brief for an architecturally distinct, playful and sustainable home.
Project Details
Project: Royd Clan’s House
Client: Private Owners – The Royd Clan
Architect: Level Architekture
Engineer: Vistek
Head Contractor: Level Architekture
Location: Ceres, Victoria, Australia
Building Methodology: Mass Timber (CLT & GLT)
