A new timber skyscraper could tower over the Perth skyline after Western Australian developer Erben applied to the City of Perth to build a steel-and-timber high rise at 108 Stirling Street in the middle of the proposed “free transit zone.” As reported by the Urban Developer, the latest application, prepared by Urbis, is looking to use cross-laminated timber and is “designed to enhance the livability and sustainability by integrating nature and community-focused urban living.”
The mixed-use development will comprise 351 apartments and 64 short-stay apartments – including 216 studio apartments, 146 one-bedroom units and 54 two-bedroom units. Designed by Rothelowman, the tower is said to promote “walkable green spaces and public amenities, enhancing social cohesion, community well-being and environmental benefits.”
In addition, Wood Central understands that Erben has already undertaken pre-lodgement meetings with the council to reduce the building’s footprint (on the 2,266 square metre site) and orientation.
No Turning Back: Hybrid timber is a Gamechanger for Perth construction
The new proposal comes after Wood Central reported that the developer behind C6, which, once constructed, will also tower the Perth skyline, “will never build another building that is not hybrid.” In a wide-ranging interview with the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) West Australian chapter, James Dibble, Managing Director of Grange Developments, said the project team behind South Perth’s 50-storey skyscraper is now looking for a builder who can manage “cost escalation.”
“We have a detailed design and have run a third round of EOI for the timber pricing,” Mr Dibble said, adding, “We have shortlisted three international timber suppliers, and timber pricing has come down globally, which is helpful.”
As for the challenges, “there is generally an opinion that a hybrid building, including mass timber, would be 20% more expensive than conventional construction, and “with developers running on such small margins, that is a risk.” Also, “public perception is also a barrier,” with some people thinking timber buildings are structurally inferior, “when in fact they are structurally inferior in many ways,” he said. “There is also a perception of fire danger when timber buildings can perform better in a fire than steel.”
- To learn more about projects like C6 and the Westralia Square 2 development – which saw GDI Property Group build a demountable timber tower over a fully functioning car park – click here to view Wood Central’s dedicated Western Australian web page.
