Innovative, tall timber framing has risen at the University of Canterbury thanks to the use of the Pres-Lam system. A fitting homecoming for the system as the teaching space was erected just a stone-throw away from where the concept was first tried and tested.

The architectural design by Jasmax created wide open spaces that, due to the use of the frame system, are flexible and future-proofed using de-mountable partitions. The building stands 4 storeys tall and is constructed entirely of LVL (laminated veneer lumber) timber (310m³ in total). Driving the use of Pres-Lam was the design team’s consideration of structural engineering solutions that would remain strong under future seismic events, such as earthquakes which devastated the city of Christchurch in 2011.

Being a relatively lightweight structure, timber was ideal, as it reduced the gravity and lateral loads applied to existing basement walls, thereby avoiding the need for significant remedial strengthening works. It’s also a less carbon-intensive material and by reusing existing remnants of the previous building, it’s also contributed to lowering the University of Canterbury’s carbon footprint.

Completed in 2019 it is the first multi-storey building combining timber moment-frames and cross-braces in New Zealand, and one of the tallest all timber moment frame buildings in the world.

Image 1 (top): The external facade with visible timber braces.
Image 2 (right): Internal combination of braces and Pres-Lam frame.
Image 3 (below): Pres-Lam frames created open office plan with movable partitions for future-proofed design.
Image credit to Lightforge.