Photo: supplied
When people walk into Te Whare Nui o Tuteata it's quite likely they'll reach out to touch its timber beams.
The $14 million Rotorua building is Scion's front door for the public and its partners.
"You don't find people hugging concrete columns or steel beams," Doug Gaunt, a Scion engineer says. "Wood is a warm thing to touch."
Scion was formerly known as the Forest Research Institute and specialises in research, science and technology development for forestry, wood and other biomaterials
Doug Gaunt (L) and Andrea Stocchero Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
The striking, three-storey timber building is clad in radical-looking glass with three triangular structures at the front symbolising the maunga of local hapū.
Scion sustainability architect and its portfolio leader for trees to high-value wood products, Andrea Stocchero, says the building showcases what it is possible to do with sustainably sourced wood from New Zealand's forests.
"What we are aiming to do is inspire people that a bio-based future is not only possible but also desirable."
He says New Zealand's forests grow the amount of wood used in the almost 2000m2 building every 35 minutes.
Approximately 550m3 of timber was used. A logging truck carries about 25m3.
Doug and Andrea were part of advisory groups for the design of Te Whare Nui o Tuteata.
"We wanted to push the boundaries of engineering and to maximise the use of wood," Doug says.
The building has a diagonal grid timber structure which is believed to be a world-first for a wooden structure of its size.
Andrea says faces light up when people walk in.
"They are immediately looking at the timber and the structure (and) the ceiling and there are smiles on their faces which is what we really like to see."
He says the building represents Scion's vision for the future.
It was designed by architects RTA Studio and Irving Smith and the structural engineers were Dunning Thornton.
Photo: supplied
Photo: supplied
Photo: supplied
Photo: supplied
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
The metal bracket that can be swapped out following an earthquake Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Photo: caro
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
