Suters Architects’ design intent for the refurbishment of the University of Western Sydney’s Climage Change and Energy Research Facility in Richmond was to clearly differentiate the old from the new through material choices and detailing, while maintaining the integrity of the original building. Completed in early 2011, the refurbishment incorporates an existing 1930s two-storey brick building and provides research facilities, laboratories, postgraduate offices, lecture theatres and a public atrium and conference exhibition space.
Timber is a natural, locally produced product and therefore fitted the sustainability values held by the building’s occupants. Suters chose blackbutt timber for the species’ longevity, durability and versatility. Its golden yellow and pale brown colours complement other materials used in the project, including the rich, earthy textures of the brickwork on the existing structure. Boral Timber’s Kiln Dried F27 provides a natural link between the new insertions and the existing building’s timber gable structure and timber windows. The product is also used in a contemporary vestibule tube that connects the east and west entries of the building, and in the four thermal chimney stacks that hang above the main atrium.
Boral has Australian Forestry Standard (AFS) Chain of Custody certification (AS 4707-2006) for its timber products. This means that timber used to produce Boral Timber’s hardwood flooring, decking and structural timber has been sourced from certified, legal and sustainably managed resources.
