Mass Timber Structural System
The Sacred Heart College Community Hub utilises LVL timber structural framing throughout the primary structure. The mass timber system was selected to support the architectural vision of the project while providing an efficient structural solution for contemporary learning, meeting and community spaces. Structural design, engineering documentation, consultant coordination and construction monitoring were provided throughout project delivery.
The use of engineered timber created opportunities for prefabrication, reduced structural mass and integration of structure with architecture. The completed building demonstrates the successful application of mass timber construction within a contemporary educational environment.
Mass Timber Construction
The Community Hub utilises LVL timber structural framing throughout the primary structure. Early coordination between the design and construction team supported the use of prefabricated timber elements and efficient site installation. The construction photographs below illustrate the development of the mass timber structural system and the integration of structure, architecture and construction planning throughout the project
Mass Timber Construction: What Are the Real Benefits?
Mass timber is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason
.Engineered timber products such as CLT, LVL and glulam allow us to create buildings that are relatively lightweight, highly prefabricated and, when the structure is exposed, visually impressive.
But does that mean timber is better than concrete or steel?
Not necessarily
.For us, the more interesting question is:
What does mass timber allow us to do differently, and when does that make sense for a project?
Less Weight Can Mean More Than Smaller Beams
One of the biggest structural advantages of timber is simply that it is relatively light.
That matters in New Zealand.
A lighter building generally means less seismic mass. Reducing the mass of the building can reduce the earthquake forces generated within the structure, although the final seismic performance also depends on stiffness, ductility, building period and the lateral system being used.
There can also be benefits below ground.
Reducing the weight of the superstructure can reduce loads going into footings and piles. On sites with difficult ground conditions, that can become an important part of the equation.
This is why we don't think it makes much sense to compare a timber floor and a concrete floor purely on their cost per square metre.
You really need to look at the whole structural system.
Much of the Building Can Arrive Ready to Assemble Another attractive feature of engineered timber is prefabrication. Structural elements can be digitally coordinated and accurately manufactured off-site, with connections, openings and penetrations considered before the structure arrives on site. That can make erection more efficient and reduce the amount of wet construction. But there is a flip side. Decisions need to be made earlier. Moving a penetration through a wall or floor is much easier on a drawing than after a prefabricated structural panel has arrived on site. Good coordination between the architect, structural engineer, building-services designers, fabricator and contractor becomes particularly important. When the Structure Is Also the Architecture This is probably one of our favourite characteristics of mass timber. A timber beam doesn't necessarily need to disappear above a ceiling. A column doesn't necessarily have to be hidden inside a wall. The structural frame can form part of the finished architecture. A good local example is the Sacred Heart College Mission House in Lower Hutt. The former 1970s Mission House was assessed as seismically vulnerable and subsequently demolished. Its replacement is a two-storey building designed in laminated timber, providing administration and support spaces downstairs and library, learning and staff spaces above. Ruruku describes the new building as featuring large engineered-timber structural elements and highlights the combination of strength, sustainability and architectural elegance. It's a good illustration of what timber can do when the structural system isn't something to be hidden, but something that contributes to the character of the building. View the Sacred Heart College project by Robertson Architects View the Mission House project by Maycroft Construction View Ruruku's Mission House case study
What About Sustainability? This is usually one of the first reasons people mention mass timber. Timber is renewable and can store biogenic carbon during the life of the building. But we think the environmental comparison needs to go further than simply saying "timber is sustainable". A timber building still contains connections, fixings and often significant quantities of concrete and steel. Transport, manufacturing, fire protection, durability and what eventually happens to the materials also matter. If embodied carbon is an important objective for a project, comparing complete structural options through a life-cycle assessment is more meaningful than comparing materials in isolation.
There Are Challenges Too Mass timber isn't a magic structural material. There are several things that need careful thought, including: fire performance moisture and durability acoustic separation floor vibration connections penetrations and building services construction tolerances coordination between structure and architecture. Some of these considerations can become fundamental to the structural concept. Connections are a good example. A simple timber framing concept can become surprisingly complicated if the connection philosophy hasn't been considered early enough.
So, When Is Concrete Better? There are plenty of situations where it can be. Concrete gives us mass and stiffness. That can be particularly useful for floors where vibration or acoustics are important. It is also an obvious choice for many foundations, retaining walls and below-ground structures, where durability and exposure to moisture are considerations. Concrete can also be attractive where fire resistance, large concentrated loads or structural stiffness dominate the design. Those aren't shortcomings of timber. They are simply examples of using a material where its properties make sense.
And When Is Steel Better? Steel has its own advantages. If we're trying to achieve a very long clear span, transfer a large concentrated load, keep structural depth to a minimum or create particularly slender framing, steel may be the more efficient answer. And sometimes the best solution is not choosing between them at all.
The Answer Might Be All Three This is where things become interesting. A building might use: timber for the floors, beams, columns and exposed structure; steel for long-span elements, connections or heavily loaded transfer members; and concrete for the foundations, ground-floor slab, retaining structures or cores. That's not a compromise. It can be a very efficient structural strategy. Each material is being used for what it does well.
So, Is Mass Timber Better?We don't think that's really the right question.The better question is:What structural system makes the most sense for this building?Mass timber can give us a lighter structure, create opportunities for prefabrication, contribute directly to the architecture and potentially reduce embodied carbon.Concrete and steel have advantages that timber can't always replicate.Sometimes timber will be the obvious choice. Sometimes concrete or steel will make considerably more sense. And increasingly, the best answer may be a carefully considered combination of all three.Good structural engineering isn't about having a favourite material. It's about using the right material in the right place.
Write your title here. Click to edit.
This is a paragraph where you can add any information you want to share with website visitors. Click here to edit the text, change the font and make it your own.
Write your title here. Click to edit.
The next item after the hero should be the Project Snapshot.
Keep it visual and scannable.
Project Snapshot
SectorEducation & Community Facilities
Project TypeNew Education & Community Building
Floor AreaApproximately 1,200m²
StructureLVL Timber Structural Framing
ServicesStructural Design, Engineering Documentation, Consultant Coordination, Construction Monitoring
RecognitionNZIA Wellington Architecture Award Winner
[essenengineering.nz], [web pages.docx | Word]
Then immediately move into the strongest section on the page:
Structural Approach
The Community Hub was designed as a contemporary education and community facility incorporating modern learning, meeting and shared-use spaces. The building utilises LVL timber structural framing throughout the primary structure, supporting both the architectural vision and functional requirements of the project. [essenengineering.nz], [web pages.docx | Word]
The mass timber structural system provided an efficient and practical solution for the two-storey building while supporting the wider project objectives. Essen Engineering provided structural design, engineering documentation, consultant coordination and construction monitoring services throughout project delivery. [essenengineering.nz], [web pages.docx | Word]
Then:
Sustainable Timber Design
The use of engineered timber formed an important part of the project's overall design approach. LVL timber structural framing was selected as the primary structural system, contributing to the sustainable design objectives of the Community Hub while providing an efficient solution for contemporary educational spaces. [essenengineering.nz]
The completed building demonstrates how mass timber construction can be successfully applied within modern education and community facilities while supporting both architectural and functional requirements. [essenengineering.nz]
After that, stop writing.
Use pictures.
My recommended order is:
Hero
↓
Project Snapshot
↓
Structural Approach
↓
Sustainable Timber Design
↓
6–8 Large Project Images
↓
Project Outcome
↓
Related Projects
↓
CTA
`
The mistake many project pages make is having too much text. For Sacred Heart, the architecture, timber structure and award-winning outcome are already the story. The photos should do most of the work. [essenengineering.nz], [Essen_Engi...chive.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...dated.docx | Word]
Sources used: web pages.docx You said.docx WEB BLOG PLAN.docx Essen_Engineering_Website_and_Insights_Conversation_Archive.docx Essen_Engineering_Project_History_and_Notebook_Map_Updated.docx Essen_Engineering_Project_History_and_Notebook_Map.docx Education & Community Facilities | Essen Engineering [web pages.docx | Word] [You said.docx | Word] [WEB BLOG PLAN.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...chive.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...dated.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...k_Map.docx | Word] [essenengineering.nz]
Write a title here. Click to edit and add your own.
For the Sacred Heart College Community Hub, I'd keep the hero concise, confident and architectural.
Sacred Heart College Community Hub
Award-Winning Mass Timber Education Facility
The Sacred Heart College Community Hub is a two-storey education and community building incorporating modern learning, meeting and community spaces. Constructed using LVL mass timber structural systems, the project combines contemporary educational architecture with sustainable structural design. [essenengineering.nz], [web pages.docx | Word]
Essen Engineering provided structural design, engineering documentation, consultant coordination and construction monitoring services throughout project delivery. The completed facility provides approximately 1,200m² of adaptable educational and community space and was recognised through the NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards. [essenengineering.nz]
Project Highlights
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NZIA Wellington Architecture Award Winner [essenengineering.nz]
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Approx. 1,200m² Floor Area [essenengineering.nz]
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Two-Storey Education Facility [essenengineering.nz]
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LVL Mass Timber Structural System [essenengineering.nz]
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Structural Design & Construction Monitoring [essenengineering.nz]
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Sustainable Timber Design Approach [essenengineering.nz]
Button: Discuss Your Project
Or, if you want something more in line with the understated Australasian tone we've been working towards:
Sacred Heart College Community Hub
Education, Community and Sustainable Timber Design
The Sacred Heart College Community Hub is a two-storey education facility providing modern learning, meeting and community spaces within the college campus. Built using LVL mass timber structural framing, the project demonstrates the use of engineered timber within a contemporary educational environment. [essenengineering.nz]
Essen Engineering provided structural design, engineering documentation, consultant coordination and construction monitoring services from concept development through project delivery. The completed building provides approximately 1,200m² of flexible educational and community accommodation and was recognised through the NZIA Wellington Architecture Awards. [essenengineering.nz]
Personally, I'd choose the second version. It feels more like a New Zealand engineering consultancy and less like a marketing brochure. [Essen_Engi...chive.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...dated.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...k_Map.docx | Word]
Sources used: web pages.docx You said.docx WEB BLOG PLAN.docx Essen_Engineering_Website_and_Insights_Conversation_Archive.docx Essen_Engineering_Project_History_and_Notebook_Map_Updated.docx Essen_Engineering_Project_History_and_Notebook_Map.docx Education & Community Facilities | Essen Engineering [web pages.docx | Word], [web pages.docx | Word] [You said.docx | Word], [You said.docx | Word] [WEB BLOG PLAN.docx | Word], [WEB BLOG PLAN.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...chive.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...chive.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...dated.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...dated.docx | Word] [Essen_Engi...k_Map.docx | Word], [Essen_Engi...k_Map.docx | Word] [essenengineering.nz]
Sacred Heart College
Woburn, Lower Hutt 5010
Educational
Robertson Architects
We are thrilled to share our latest structural engineering design for the architecturally stunning and sustainable mass timber-framed school building at Sacred Heart College – Mission House. This project exemplifies our commitment to innovative and eco-friendly construction solutions.
By embracing mass timber construction, we are contributing to a lower-carbon future while ensuring strength, durability, and aesthetic beauty. This project showcases how sustainable materials, and thoughtful engineering can create inspiring spaces for future generations.
