ARCHITECTURAL FOCUS
Streamlined construction
Once the design was modeled in 3D , the timber manufacturers imported the files into software that their CNC machines could read . The manufacturers made a virtual model of everything they would manufacture and ran it through digital processing before cutting any timber . This planning process reduced rework and material waste .
Components were cut at the timber factory and shipped to the site in batches for specific building sections , further simplifying assembly on site . The building parameters went up within two days , the floors were installed in a week , and the second-story framing took another couple of days . Using timber and the new joinery system saved time during the build and won the team many accolades down the road .
Certified sustainability
An independent company evaluated the Scion building and confirmed it is carbon neutral .
Achieving this benchmark is primarily due to the significant amount of timber , a carbon-negative material . Using large amounts of wood o . set the small proportion of other materials needed . In terms of energy e . ciency , the building ’ s operating costs are approximately half those typically seen in a civic or commercial building .
Praise pours in
The design team has had many conversations about the building with the forestry research sta . who moved in . Everyone praises the aesthetic design and performance . The interior is maintained at a comfortable temperature with a mixed-mode climate control system that saves energy . The daylighting strategy engineered by the design team allows light to enter o . ces without causing glare on computer screens . The most common feedback Rich
hears is that people simply adore living with wood .
Because of the building ’ s popularity , Scion hired a tour guide who shows visitors the eye-catching facility all day long . On an international scale , this building has received no end of accolades . The World
Insights for the future To make a magical building , you need a design team committed to environmental , cultural and social responsibility — and a client who believes in the importance of those considerations . Rich cautions us that it ’ s not just about striving for every potential green cost-saving measure . The client needs to share a commitment to building sustainability for the good of the planet .
There are numerous ways to be a responsible environmental steward : minimize excavation , reduce waste , and enhance a building ’ s resilience . Designers and architects need to find the optimal solutions for their specific circumstances . RTA Studio ’ s philosophy is to design contextually , whether in an urban center or a coastal town . Rich says responsive designs often result in unique and diverse buildings .
The Scion building pays homage to the forest with a symbolic design that honors the local people and aligns with the forestry research facility ’ s mission . The cascading benefits of their design process include cutting-edge timber technology , carbon-neutral design and stunning aesthetics .
Ready to help solve the climate crisis ? Start your design projects with regional climate insights using PreDesign , SketchUp ’ s early-stage design research tool , included in both Pro and Studio subscriptions . Take all of SketchUp ’ s 3D and design research tools for a test drive with a free trial .
www . rtastudio . co . nz / | www . isarchitects . nz /
Rendering from SketchUp of the Scion building used in design presentations . Image courtesy of RTA Studio
ARCHETECH - PAGE 108