SUPASLAT Slatted and SUPACOUSTIC Acoustic Timber Panels Meet BCA Requirements

Certified fire retardant timber linings co-ordinated for prized building

A mix of SUPAWOOD timber panel products feature extensively throughout many areas of The Australian PlantBank, an important science and research facility in the Australian Botanic Garden at Mt Annan NSW.

This building is a plant conservation resource and part of the Royal Botanical Gardens and Domain Trust. Its main purpose is to ensure the preservation of Australian native plant species, housing the seedbank, associated research laboratories and learning centre.

To ensure materials used reflected the building’s conservation purpose, the designers BVN Donavan Hill wanted the timber lining products used to conform to the highest sustainability and fire retardant certification. The SUPAWOOD product range offered both these stringent requirements plus the mix of co-ordinated timber linings they required to complement their design.

Supawood were able to co-ordinate the supply of their SUPACOUSTIC acoustic panels, SUPALINE decorative panels and SUPASLAT slatted sections in the same FSC^®/PEFC/21-31-150 certified veneer species and finish coating with all three lining products meeting the Fire Group 3 required.

In some areas SUPACOUSTIC acoustic panels have been used to address reflected noise.  These have been mixed with SUPALINE decorative and SUPASLAT slatted panels to achieve texture to the ceilings. All panelling has been finished in SUPAVENEER Mountain Ash NTV to give great warmth and atmosphere to what needs to also be a very functional interior. By choosing a native sustainable timber for the finish, the designers have achieved an interior which successfully reflect the purpose of the building.

This project presented many challenges and demanded short lead times. SUPAWOOD’s immense experience with large complex lining installations saw successful outcomes and overcame obstacles as they occurred.

This building is destined to become an icon of Australian architecture and has already won several awards including the AIA 2014 National Award for Public Architecture. The careful choice of materials both inside and out have blended the building perfectly with its botanical setting and created an environment to inspire all who visit far into the future.

Project: The Australian PlantBank

Address: Narellan Rd, Mt Annan NSW

Products/Finish: SUPALINE, SUPACOUSTIC and SUPASLAT in SUPAVENEER Mountain Ash NTV

Architect: BVN Donavan Hill

Builder: Hansen Yunchen

Photography: John Gollings

Awards 2014:

• AIA NSW Sustainable Architecture Award
• WAF High Commendation Research Buildings
• AIA NSW Public Architecture Award
• AIA National Award for Sustainable Architecture
• AIA National Award for Public Architecture