Western Australia’s first cross laminated timber office building given green light to commence construction

The proposal for a six-storey timber-framed office building has recently been given the green light to commence construction by Fremantle Council. Harbour Fremantle's architectural design has been led by Harris Jenkins Architects, who have created a future-proofed modern design which will be constructed out of highly sustainable cross-laminated timber. The building’s operable glass façade will provide natural ventilation throughout the structure, as well as dispersing natural light into each workspace – creating a pleasant work environment for the building's inhabitants. At street level, a 150 square metre café and bar will occupy the ground floor tenancy, providing communal areas for office workers and the general public to connect and relax. Levels 2-6 will feature a selection of 57 square metre office spaces, which will be available for lease or purchase from $347,500.

Josh Byrne and Associates have led the landscape design and vertical greening project, which will aim to deliver thermal protection, as well as seamlessly integrating nature within the work environment.

“Wood and biophilic design is an opportunity to improve workers’ connection with nature, increasing satisfaction and productivity.”

Source: Workplaces: Wellness + Wood = Productivity, by Andrew Knox, Howard Parry-Husbands, Pollinate, February 2018

Other sustainable features include solar photovoltaic panels and battery storage as a source of renewable energy; electricity and water management software (to monitor usage) and storm and grey water collection.

The building approval follows a stellar year of development in Fremantle with over $231 million worth of projects being approved for 2018-19. This statistic paints a dramatically different picture to the rest of the country, with other major cities showing a halve in building approvals since 2014.

“It’s also worth noting that this project represents the first significant investment in a major new office development in the eastern end of Fremantle since Scheme Amendment 49 was approved back in 2012… It goes to show that it can take a long time for the planning decisions of the council to flow through to actual development, but it also demonstrates that the council’s plan to make Fremantle a more attractive investment destination is working.”

Brad Pettitt, Mayor of Fremantle, via Fremantle.wa.gov.au

The Yolk Property Group development will occupy the corner section of Josephson and High Streets, just 100 metres away from the recently completed King Square development, and is slated for completion by mid-2020.

Lead image: Harbour Fremantle render. Credit: Yolk Property Group.