Structural Beams for a Contemporary Church

For centuries, buildings for peaceful reflection and community gathering have valued the use of timber for its soft, natural and acoustic qualities.

People enjoy and marvel at timber's interior and exterior aesthetics, so why not make the structural elements part of the aesthetics too.

That was the brief for the new Stella Maris Church in Maroochydore, Queensland, a project which came to fruition on the 14th December 2016 in time for Christmas.

Rob Mansell, Hyne Timber's Business Development Manager - Commercial, said the project welcomed and benefited from a partnership approach to supply the pine glue laminated beams used for the exposed structural elements of the construction.

"Our Beam 17 product was specifically selected for its light colour and aesthetics while achieving cost efficiencies also.

Our 'customer solutions' approach meant we were also asked to supply the steel plates, specifically selected for best possible application with the beams, delivered to site in time for the pouring of the concrete." Mr Mansell said.

"The H3 treated tapered columns and rafter system was also coated by Hyne Timber as we can provide this specific expertise to ensure the most suitable treatment and coating is used to maximise durability.

"This type of partnership approach, ideally from the early design stage means we can provide advice on the best possible solutions while achieving ongoing cost efficiencies and time savings for the overall project delivery." Mr Mansell concluded.

Their valued customer, Kent Belcher, Construction Manager for Badge said the feedback from both their project clients was that the high quality finish and timely delivery of the building was exceptional.

"There were many challenges that were overcome during the project but partnerships with suppliers and trades including Hyne Timber mean we can work together to reach the best possible solutions quickly."

"Tendering, winning and delivering projects like this cannot be done without our valued subcontractors and suppliers. This is an example of a very successful project and a job well done!" Mr Belcher said.

The engineered timber beams were Hyne Timber's Beam 17, manufactured within four weeks at their Glue Laminated Timber Plant in Maryborough.

The plant has recently commissioned their new, state of the art CNC machine, which will make the supply of prefabricated timber solutions even quicker and more cost efficient.

It is an automatic joinery machine that can cut, drill, slot and profile both small and large scale timber components.

It can be programmed from CAD drawings to give a high level of accuracy, increasing the fabrication services capability, reducing the time it takes to complete prefabricated timber projects.