Seismic Joints for Scion Research’s innovative Te Whare Nui o Tuteata

We are proud to have provided seismic joints for Scion Research’s innovation hub in Rotorua, Te Whare Nui o Tuteata. Believed to be the world’s first three storey diagonal-grid (diagrid) timber structure, the building has already been hailed as a global icon, winning 14 significant awards both in New Zealand and internationally in 2021.

Seismic Joints for safety & flexibility

Our seismic joints were used in the walls and ceilings of the two levels of connection between the existing building and the new design, as well as expansion joints in the polished concrete floor of the lower level, to create ‘isolation points’ between the two structures as they can be expected to behave very differently in the minor earthquake events common in the Rotorua region.

The new area is created with a skeleton of engineered structural timber in a structural diagrid and is designed to flex much more during earthquakes than the two older structures.

By installing seismic joints we have provided a 200mm seismic gap to allow for the different structures to react independently of one another.

Timber construction for embodied carbon neutrality

New Zealand’s built environment is responsible for about 20 per cent of the country’s carbon footprint, so extensive use of wood in building is a promising step, and is beautifully illustrated by this timber design.

Growing trees sequester carbon which is stored while the harvested wood is in use. 418 tonnes of CO2-eqv will be stored in Te Whare Nui o Tuteata for the life of the building – essentially offsetting 160 return Auckland to London flights.

In addition to this, the architects calculated that the amount of timber used was regrown in 35 minutes by New Zealand planted forests, demonstrating the incredible renewability of wood as a building resource.

A beautiful, relevant architectural design

Scion Sustainability Architect and Portfolio Leader ‘Trees to High Value Wood Products’ Andrea Stocchero describes why the building design is unique:

“If you look from the outside, you see a simple building with fascinating colours that match the forest and at the entrance, engaging Māori carvings which tell the story of mana whenua. But, architecturally, it is when you walk inside that magic happens… the contrast between the simple aesthetic outside and the shock of entering a huge void hits. You see striking timber structure, architectural lines and natural materials in harmony with each other – that is what is so impactful.”

We would like to acknowledge Mana Whenua for their contributions, and RTA Studio in collaboration with Irving Smith Architects for the architectural design.

It’s always energising being part of innovative architectural projects like this!

Tags

Construction joints, Expansion joints, Seismic joints