World’s tallest and largest timber office tower to be built in the heart of Brisbane

The world’s tallest and largest all-timber office tower is under construction in Queensland, however, fire and termites will be no match for the structure according to the project team.

The ten-storey building uses cross laminated timber, layers of wood glued together under high pressure, for its structure, which has a strength comparable to that of traditional concrete and steel methods but with a lighter weight. 

Developer Lendlease says the new method is faster and more environmentally sustainable compared to other methods with a lower carbon footprint and zero less waste and the wood being sourced from certified sustainably managed forests.

‘Modules are pre-assembled at ground height and then lifted into place to form what looks like a wooden lego structure,’ said General Manager for Lendlease building Tony Orazio.

The world’s tallest and largest all-timber office tower is under construction in Queensland, however, fire and termites will be no match for the structure according to the project team

Lendlease managing director Mark Menhinnit said they had extensively tested the materials for fire risk with the CSIRO.

‘The building just gets a char on the outside, the structural integrity is maintained through an intense fire event,’ Mr Menhinnit said.

He also says the 45 metre building is protected from termites eating away at the structure as it rests on a concrete podium so that it is separated from the ground.

The building, located in Brisbane’s inner north, is currently steaming ahead with construction scheduled to finish later this year as part of the $2.9 billion redevelopment of Brisbane’s showgrounds.  

The building has been fire tested with the help of the CSIRO and protected from termites by sitting on a concrete podium

The building is currently steaming ahead with construction scheduled to finish later this year as part of the $2.9 billion redevelopment of Brisbane’s showgrounds