More than 90% of construction waste generated from Boola Katatjin – one of Australia’s most awarded projects for 2023 – has been recycled and, in many instances, upcycled, according to Murdoch University.
Crowned the world’s best academic building last year, and at the time of its construction, the 180m Boola Katatjin was the Southern Hemisphere’s largest mass timber building.
Following the massive build, which used more than 2,100 tonnes of timber and 1800 individual pieces of mass timber, the university appointed local business Instant Management Bayswater, which sorted through vast volumes of materials that could be recycled and repurposed.
Wood Central understands that construction waste makes up the largest share of Western Australian landfills. Students at Murdoch University’s Environmental and Sustainable Systems Engineering programme observe the process firsthand and on a massive scale.
According to Associate Professor Dr Martin Anda, the plant tour allowed students to witness how construction waste can be sorted and recovered to be reused for future building materials:
“They have been learning the principles behind recycling and the circular economy so they can design their plant for upcycling construction and other wastes into low-carbon concrete,” Dr Anda said.
Murdoch University vows to become fully circular by 2030
Published last year, Murdoch University’s 2023-2030 strategy is part of a new push to make its campus developments fully carbon neutral and zero waste in landfills by 2030.
“To do so, we must be compassionate to our surroundings and continue to develop the social, environmental and technical competencies required to embrace a circular economy,” said Dr Anda, adding that Boola Katatjin provides a case study around that process.
“(It is) a case study of cultural engagement, sustainable design and the exploration of materials central to improving our building environments.”
Australia’s largest glulam timber beams installed by volume
Designed by Carey Lyons from Aspect Studios and supported by Perth-based Trent Woods, Officer Woods – and local design firms Fulcrum Agency and Silver Thomas Hanley — the $135m new building gives the 50-year-old campus a new heart. Built by Multiplex, the project connected the 1800 mass timber elements like a giant puzzle:
“It’s a bit like a giant Meccano set or puzzle, with glue-laminated pieces of timber of all different lengths and shapes manufactured offsite before being fitted into place on-site.”
Chris Palandri, Multiplex Regional Director responsible for the project.
“Some of the glue-laminated timber beams used within the Northern Plaza are the largest ever installed in Australia by volume – at 7,282 kilograms each, extending 26 metres in length.”
- To learn more about construction waste and how researchers are now using robots to sort through timber and steel for future building materials, click on Wood Central’s special feature.
