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Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno approaches every project as a way of positively influencing life today and tomorrow through sustainability. The diversity of its projects means they dialogue with people of all ages through the way they enhance function. From public buildings to outdoor public places, sports centers, educational buildings, and cultural centers, the firm creates architecture that impacts the future of our planet. Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno is involved in three different projects in Australia that exemplify this approach and philosophy: Chadstone Link in the Melbourne suburbs, Macquarie University Law School in the suburbs of Sydney, and the beautiful Sydney Fish Market.
Designed by Make Architects, Chadstone Link near Melbourne is a pedestrian walkway that joins Chadstone Shopping Centre with the Tower One office building and Hotel Chadstone. Measuring 360 ft (110 m) in length, extending up to 50 ft (15 m) in height, and comprising 31 timber arches, this is a monumental structure that’s also marked by its lightness. Manufactured by Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno, its larch glulam diagrid structure is one of the unique features of the project, which gives its setting a relaxing atmosphere inspired by nature. One aim of the project is to make Chadstone – already one of the biggest shopping centers in Australia, with over 20 million visitors a year and over 530 stores – a Mecca for both local and international shoppers.
The visual impression for visitors is like entering a cathedral: the verticality generated by the vaults creates an openness and space for the eye to wander. This is especially true at night, when the interplay of lights combines with the grandeur of the timber structures to create an intriguing scene.
Designed in Sydney by Hassell to achieve 5* Green Star certification, the Macquarie University Law School building is Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno’s first multi-story project on a university campus in New South Wales. Its most distinctive feature is its almost fully exposed timber structure, with wide-span glulam beams in the atrium supporting a translucent roof. Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno had the job of designing the timber structures and delivering the glulam components to the construction site.
Timber is the feature of every space, from common areas to the classrooms. This is especially true of the large staircase with tiered seating that’s connected, both physically and visually, to the upper floors via a spiral staircase made of the same light-colored timber and white structure. Comprising delicate tones and inspired by nature, the interior color palette also contributes to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.
An iconic building that’s among the most important social and tourist destinations in the city, the new Sydney Fish Market was a major project funded by the New South Wales government. It was designed by 3XN in collaboration with BVN and GXN Innovation. Seemingly floating over the market and connecting every section, the roof in particular defines the character of the building. Its construction required 56,500 ft3 (1600 m3) of glulam spruce, supplied by Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno, and over 165 tons (150 t) of steel.
Designed to collect rainwater for reuse and solar energy production, the roof’s unique shape uses the prevailing winds to extract hot air and protect sellers from southerly winds. The canopy, made of timber and aluminum, is designed to be as permeable as possible, minimizing the need for air conditioning while deflecting direct sunlight. Triangular openings in the roof allow as much natural light as possible into the market, while their orientation provides shade from the sun during the hottest hours. Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno had the job of making customized elements measuring over 100 ft (30 m) in length, shipping them from the Italian Alps to Sydney, local disembarkation, technical support during construction, and on-site coordination.
More info: www.rubner.com
All images courtesy of Rubner Grandi Strutture in Legno
