Latest News

10/9/2024

THECA TIMBER JOINS TIMBER QUEENSLAND!

As part of a growing industry that has underutilised timber as a building material, it's crucial that we work together to promote its use. When we first connected with Timber Queensland and learned about their mission – "To educate the community about the role forestry and timber play in the climate change debate, and the benefits of forests and timber products" – we immediately felt their passion, commitment, and the urgency for change in the building industry. Becoming a member of the association was a natural next step.

A big thanks to Timber Queensland for welcoming us into the family. We're excited to showcase the best uses of mass-engineered timber, the magic it brings to buildings, and how it can innovate construction!

4/9/2024

TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS GALA ANNOUNCEMENT

Timber Development Association has announced the Gala Night of the 2024 Timber Design Awards to be held in Sydney, at View by Sydney, on 16th October. It’s going to be a great night, even better than in the past years. The timber industry gathering to recognize the excellence in timber design and engineering is making it an unforgettable evening, and this year Theca and Rubner will have plenty of jobs to cheer for, with four jobs listed in several categories.

Stay tuned!

15/8/2024

2024 TIMBER DESIGN AWARDS NOMINATIONS

The Australian Timber Design Awards 2024 are here, and Theca has been nominated eight times across four categories! Our work on St Aidan’s Sport Hall, Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Upper House, and the Michael Kirby Building has been recognised. This is a huge moment for us, and we need your support to bring these honours home. You can only vote once for the People’s Choice Award, so make it count! Voting is easy so just follow the prompts once clicking on the link.

Click the link https://timberdesignawards.awardsplatform.com to cast your vote now and celebrate the excellence of timber design with us!

20/6/2024

NEW HEAD OF DESIGN FOR THECA TIMBER

Given the recent jobs acquisitions and the continuous improvement in servicing Architecture and Engineering practices willing to design using mass-timber and innovative methods of construction, Theca Timber is pleased to announce that Andrea will join the team as Head of Design and Project Management.

Andrea has an Architectural background with multiple years in the construction industry as designer and delivery manager. He cooperated on and off with Theca Timber on specific jobs over the past years and has strived to provide his expertise for the optimization of our timber structures and a smooth delivery. He's thrilled by the opportunity to submit these skills to our Clients, making him a perfect fit for Theca Timber's mission.

In his own words, Andrea says: "Although I’m still young, it’s been a long journey since I graduated at Politecnico of Milan. I dealt with the management and supervision of various projects, from the design to construction, through all phases of procurement too. Through this journey, I discovered that my main skill is problem solving, which became the center of my professional activity. And I can’t wait to put this to the service of Theca Timber to complete other amazing mass-timber jobs in Australia”.

03/6/2024

NEW NSW STATE MANAGER FOR THECA TIMBER

We're thrilled to announce that Timothy has joined Theca Timber as our new NSW State Manager! Timothy brings a wealth of experience and passion for sustainable design and construction to the team.

Throughout his career, Timothy has consistently strived to combine stunning design with cutting-edge technologies in the architecture and construction industries. He's particularly driven by the opportunity to merge these skills to achieve sustainable outcomes, making him a perfect fit for Theca Timber's mission.

In his own words, Timothy says: "At Theca Timber, I see an incredible opportunity to deliver beautiful buildings while simultaneously revolutionising the way we build and decarbonising the economy. With a track record of amazing projects across the country, I'm eager to bring my experience to Theca and drive real environmental change one building at a time."

We're confident that Timothy's leadership and expertise will be instrumental in growing Theca Timber's presence in NSW and helping us achieve our goals of creating a more sustainable future for the construction industry.

12/4/2024

PROJECT AWARD!

Payneham Swimming Centre - Adelaide

We're excited to announce that Theca has been awarded the contract to design and supply the timber ceiling structure for the new Payneham Memorial Swimming Centre!

Theca's focus will be on optimising the Mass Engineered Timber (MET) structure for several key aspects:
• Efficient Production: Streamlining the manufacturing process to save time and resources.
• Simplified Transport: Designing the structure for easy transportation to the construction site.
• Cost-Effective Assembly: Minimising on-site erection costs through a well-planned ground assembly and lifting process.

This optimisation will be achieved through open collaboration with all involved trades, including the steel trusses designers and manufacturers.

Stay tuned for impressive images of the 3D model under elaboration, showing the level of complexity of this new project.

15/3/2024

Macquarie University Law School OPEN DAY

Last week was truly memorable as Theca had the pleasure of attending the Open Day celebrations at Macquarie University Law School, an institution proudly named after the eminent Michael Kirby. With a turnout of over 30 industry professionals from the Construction sector, including esteemed representatives from Hassell, TTW Engineers (Taylor Thomson Whitting), and FDC Construction & Fitout that presented their work, the event was nothing short of inspiring!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this gathering. Your participation made all the difference. Let's continue to foster meaningful connections and collaborations in our community.

A special shout out to proud partners, Rubner Timber Engineering and KLH Pacific Pty Ltd, whose unwavering support made this initiative possible. Your commitment to excellence shines through in every endeavour. And, of course, heartfelt thanks to Macquarie University for granting us access to the site, and enabling us this unforgettable event. Together, we're shaping the future of our industry.

30/1/2024

National Sports & Physical Activity Convention 2024

Theca Timber is heading again to the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention this year! We just signed, together with our long-time partner Rubner, the sponsorship deal with this amazing conference taking place in Melbourne. On 26th and 27th of June this year, participants will share their knowledge, network with the wide sports industry, while watching the most recent designs in sports facilities and the use of eco-sustainable solutions, like mass-timber, for a variety of new infrastructures.

Our Director Paolo Aschieri will be visiting the Convention and attend Theca Timber and Rubner booth together with other colleagues. A great chance for live meetings, to discuss any project, at any stage of design or development they are!

Theca Timber booth is going to be number 418.

16/11/2023

New project alert!

Electrolux Office and Showroom – Port of Brisbane

Theca Timber is pleased to announce that has agreed with McNAB for the consultancy during design completion, and supply to site of the mass-timber structure for the new development of Port of Brisbane, called Electrolux Office and Showroom in Lytton (QLD).

The project consists of a Distribution Centre and Experience Centre, including a 21,255sqm warehouse featuring a steel structure, and a mass-timber CLT and GLT structure for a ground-floor office and high-end showroom, a first-floor office, and a dock office. The mass-timber positive carbon footprint will help satisfying the sustainability criteria of a targeted 6-Star Green Star rated facility.

The new facility will be delivered by principal contractor McNab with project management by Johnstaff and JLL, design by architects Sparc Architects and structural solution by Northrop Consulting Engineers.

Construction is expected to start by the end of the year, with completion anticipated by October 2024.

10/10/2023

Upper House

Theca most challenging job and one of the most innovative residential multi-storey buildings of Australia has reached practical completion. Download the Press Release from the Project Gallery on our website. Check the amazing pictures of both The Nests and The Pergola, see the stunning sunset enjoyed at the 130mt above sea level in Brisbane CBD.

15/9/2023

St Aidan’s Sport Hall

Updates from Brisbane where our Director Paolo Aschieri has visited the construction site within Ambiwerra Sports Precint, called St Aidan’s Sport Hall. While the installation of the portal frames spanning over 23 mt is now completed, the works are proceeding at fast pace to complete the job within January 2024, with many other trades on site to complete the fitout of the sports equipments and surfaces.

1/6/2023

Theca Timber page on Instagram is now LIVE! Our account is theca_timber and it’s going to showcase our jobs, services, site updates, awards and much, much more. You can follow us using the link and QR Code reported here!

Follow us on Instagram

12/5/2023

Oran Park Leisure Centre

New project alert!

Theca Timber is pleased to announce that, as partner of Rubner in Australia, has agreed with ADCO for the completion of design and supply to site of the main mass-timber structure for the new development of Camden Council in Sydney, called Oran Park Leisure Centre.

The project, which budget is $ 63.3 milions, includes a new 50m indoor pool and family pool for the swimmers, indoor courts for the ball players and a gymnasium with group fitness spaces, a café and gym retail facility. The roof structure is composed of columns and main beams in spruce glulam, with a special 3-layer coating mostly performed in Rubner’s factory. The bracing of the beams is provided by CLT panels, cut and shaped to size for a perfect aesthetics, as well as for an easy assembly on site.

The structure is due for installation from August 2023, while the building is expected to be completed in mid to late 2024.

15/4/2023

Upper House Completion

We recently crowned with timber the most exclusive new luxury apartment building in Brisbane. This high-rise in South Brisbane is soon to be the tallest in the area and the most striking apartment around. 

Upper House by Aria has been designed with a Siberian Larch Glulam pergola made of slim, load-bearing main ribs, featuring double- and triple-bent elements fabricated with a special 3D technology from our European partners. 

It also includes over 1.6km of timber purlins for shading over the double-storey penthouse club. 

Two structures made of Ash Tree complete the Pentahouse and the Rooftop Bar, called The Nests. Fabricated by our Italian Partner Magil, each rib was bent with a proprietary technology, and cut to size with millimeter precision.

Timber takes the cake, yet again.

For a video of the installation, please visit Theca Timber YouTube Channel

Watch on Youtube

1/3/2023

Sages Road Depot

Theca Timber was asked to supply the mass-timber structure on a new project for the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, a brand new multi-purpose operations depot on Sages Road, Glenroy (VIC).

The project, designed by Melbourne-based studio Searle x Waldron Architecture, will be a new gathering place for employees with new offices, lunch rooms, collaboration spaces and more. They incorporated several timber-based structures for this building, which was designed as a series of parallel glulam trusses, having different heights and shapes, using CLT to create the first floor slabs and a series of stairs connecting ground to first floor. 

The team contacted Theca Timber, and requested a full service of supplying the mass-timber structure through the design. We particularly focused on the overall architectural design elements, and the optimisation of the trusses for production and assembly. Our expert team engaged different manufacturers to coordinate suppliers from several sources, creating an LOD400 model ready to be declined into machine files for the hi-tech CNC robots governing the production of complex glulam connections. 

We're excited to be involved in the Sages Road Depot project, and can't wait to see it come to fruition!

15/2/2023

Upper House Installation

After having waited for more than two years since the design started, after the many hurdles the site went through (pandemic, floods, lack of trades, etc.), the building is now ready to host the assembly of the twisted timber pergola that will cover level 31, 32, 33 above ground! Our drone operator can’t fly any higher due to local rules!

In the picture you can appreciate the position of the building close to Brisbane CBD and the spectacular view from the top, but also the amazing design of the pergola which base hangs out of the concrete slab to be then connected at the top to the roof slab.

More pictures and a full video coming next. Stay tuned!

10/12/2022

Tumbalong Green Stage Production Begin

Our team of engineers and designers has worked truly hard together with Kane Constructions and the Australian design team, and together with our manufacturing partner in Europe to fulfill the timeline imposed by Tumbalong Green Stage project. We’re very pleased to show the first glulam arches, which will cantilever for over 30 metres on the open-air stage under redevelopment in the centre of Sydney. Those are manufactured with millimetre precision, and will be fully fitted with steel hardware for a quick and easy assembly on site.

15/11/2022

Northcote Aquatic Centre Completion of Timber Installation

With a successful and timely supply of the timber structure, fully coordinated by Kane Constructions, and following a strict site program, Northcote Aquatic Centre have reached completion of the roof timber structure as per plans. Theca Timber was invited to inspect the final work done and we can confirm that the job, featuring 32+ metres long main beams and a fully factory-assembled cassette ceiling system looks spectacular.

Practical completion of the building is due in Q2 2023 and we will post here and on Theca social media channels more pictures as soon as they become available.

20/09/2022

St Aidan’s Sport Hall

We’ve done it again! Our team of engineers and designers have succeeded in finalising the design for the St Aidan’s Sport Hall, a new indoor multi-sports hall part of the Ambiwerra Sports Precinct Redevelopment, part of the St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School. Theca Timber was requested by the General Contractor, ATG, to bring to tender design until construction level, and to supply the full timber and steel connections structure above ground level.

It's our second job in Queensland, but our first in the sport frame, and we will be waiting to see it finished in mid-2023.

30/08/2022

Theca Timber is excited to announce that Kane Construction NSW have appointed us to deliver the Glulam shell-shaped structure for TUMBALONG GREEN STAGE UPGRADE project. Located in the heart of Darling Harbour on Sydney’s CBD fringe, Tumbalong accommodates a rich space for mixed community events and entertainment uses.
The upgrade includes raising the performance stage, new lighting system and AV equipment, but the star of the project is undoubtedly the construction of a new steel and glulam timber structure, with membrane roof on the top. The concept design is done by Hassell, while the preliminary engineering and the full 3D modelling is to be completed by Sydney-based structural engineer TTW.
Theca Timber task, through its specialist consultant team of timber professionals, is to bring the design to manufacturability, transportability and ease of erection. The complexity of the structured is pictured by numbers, with over 200 timber members of different dimensions, shape and connections, and north of 600 bespoke steel connections. Last to be considered is that the supply of the entire structure for which Theca Timber has been contracted is to happen in record time, just 4 months after 100% design definition. In fact, project completion is due in time for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, which is going to gather hundreds of football fans and passionate in front of the mega-screens installed under the shell.

11/07/2022

For the first time since our presence in Australia and New Zealand, one of “our” jobs, buildings or structures for which we supplied mass engineered timber (MET), made it to the final of the sole architecture festival where all the Finalists get to present live their projects to the jury, one of the most prestigious events dedicated to the architecture and development industry, the WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2022. And guess what? It’s the Eric Tweedale Stadium that made it!
The Eric Tweedale Stadium, which has already received much industry attention and awards for its innovative and sustainable design, has been selected as a finalist in the category of Completed Buildings – Sport. Offering a fantastic sports facility including a grandstand with change rooms, a multipurpose room, first-floor function space, a commercial kitchen, and an outdoor viewing deck, the Eric Tweedale Stadium has been credited for its outstanding sustainable design. The use of a mass timber structure in the Stadium is the first use of glulam timber for this type of facility in Australia, representing an impressive achievement in timber engineering. The stadium provides an active contribution to climate protection of around 109t CO2e.

15/04/2022

Unstoppable beginning of the new year! Theca and Rubner are honoured and extremely pleased to have been appointed as Design&Supply partner of FDC to deliver the new Macquarie University Law School Building. The redevelopment of an existing building in the centre of the university campus consists of a three-storey new building on top of a concrete podium, featuring a 16mt wide and 38 mt long central foyer with timber roof beams supporting a full-size skylight.
Our Client is going to be the Main Contractor of the job, the Tier1 Sydney-based Builder FDC, for which we represented an added value given the VE options and smarts that we were able to provide at tender stage and after. The Building is designed by Hassell, engineered by TTW and will contain office space for academic staff and general communal spaces for students and staff.

29/03/2022

Second win of 2022! We just got the news that we have been contracted to Engineer and Supply the new Central Development New Kostka Building for Xavier College, in Melbourne. The Builder of Choice, Ireland Brown Constructions, have just communicated our partner Rubner that our specialistic services are needed, and that our Timber Engineers will work jointly with WSP to develop the timber structure of the building.
Designed by Melbourne’s studio MGS Architects, a team led by Senior Associate John Bezemer, this new building is the foundation project for the Kew campus transformation, delivering a building that is a learning tool, rich with opportunities for discovery. The building is integrated into the campus through a multistorey learning street that overlooks the College’s iconic Memorial Chapel and famous sports fields, while showcasing learning to the broader school community, sparking curiosity. Social connection is at the core of the concept: carefully scaled learning neighbourhoods support informal learning in a variety of learning styles, from small groups and individuals, to classes and year levels.

03/02/2022

We are pleased to announce that Kane Constructions have awarded Rubner and us the Design, Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply to site of the glulam roof structure and timber ceiling of the new NORTHCOTE AQUATIC AND RECREATION CENTRE in Melbourne. The Centre will offer indoor and outdoor pools as well as increased opportunities to participate in health and wellbeing activities, through larger and additional programming spaces and an added warm water pool for exercise and rehabilitation.
Designed by Warren and Manhoney Architects, the pool features long spanning glulam beams, over 31mt, and a timber soffit. The concept of a natural lighted indoor main pool has resulted in large central skylights surrounded by light coloured timber walls, which are going to match the finish of beams and ceiling, creating a stunning effect for users.

08/12/21

What a great way to end a sensational 2021. One of our most iconic jobs, Eric Tweedale Stadium, the first outdoor stadium done with a timber superstructure, has been named WINNER of the 2021 Timber Design Awards. As the jury panel remarked, the timber is the hero of this project, and it shows how good a timber structure can be in a public space when handled properly by the designers. Theca Timber and Rubner joined the design team composed of DWP (Architects) and Northrop (Structural Engineers) in a very early stage, supporting strategic design choices with our experience and manufacturing techniques, pushing the boundaries of what has been achieved in Australia in terms of timber sports infrastructures. The stadium includes a grandstand with change rooms, multipurpose room, first-floor function space, commercial kitchen and outdoor viewing deck. The $11.3 million stadium has been a benchmark for sustainable construction with a key focus on an intricately detailed timber roof structure that cantilevers over eight meters, providing shelter from the weather and solar shade cover for the seating By the way, the stadium won the 2021 People's Choice Award and the 2021 Commercial and Public Buildings Award too, totaling three awards in a night that will surely be remembered by all of us for long time. To read more visit our Projects page

09/09/2021

Theca Timber and Rubner Holzbau are pleased to be Gold Sponsors of the National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (link) which will be held in Melbourne, November 9th to 11th. The Convention is focused on Sustainability and on the best ways the sports community can innovate their facilities, both existing and newly designed, and its activities in a way to pay more attention to the environment. The convention will gather Speakers from all around the world, leaders in their own field such as executives of Sports Federations, Sports Clubs, Olympic Committee and so on.

Adam Shears, Theca Timber Director, said: "We are excited to be part of this event for the first time. So far our approach to design and supply sports facilities has been driven by providing structural solution using engineered-timber. With our commitment to sustainability, we now intend to integrate environmental analysis and early-concept involvement with Architects and Sports Developers to improve the way we build sport facilities in Australia".

30/07/2021

Batemans Bay Regional Leisure and Aquatic Centre has seen this week the completion of the glulam roofing structure over the main pool area. Another great job to be involved in.

Despite a number of design difficulties and engineering hurdle, in the past 6 months Theca and Rubner has shown a true commitment to ADCO delivering on time the 33mt long trusses to Batemans Bay, despite the global pandemic situation and even the Suez Canal blockage!

We can't wait to see the all building completed and stay tuned for more pictures of the outdoor pergola with 3D curved glulam beams!

11/05/2021

Last week Theca Director Adam Shears delivered a copy of the 2020 Timber Design Award plaque to Damon Barbaresco, Development Manager of Vicinity Centres, the Client and Developer of Chadstone Link, on behalf of Rubner. What a pleasure to watch back at a successful job and walk under a structure that now, after all what have happened with the pandemic, looks even more relaxing and quiet.

To know more about Chadstone Link please visit the Projects page.

20/4/2021

We're honoured and delighted to have been selected in Partnership with Rubner Holzbau to design, engineer and supply the new Batemans Bay Regional Arts and Aquatic Centre. Designed by a joint venture of NBRS and Donovan Payne Architects and engineered by TTW, the new facility is under construction by ADCO. Our scope has involved taking over the tender design scheme of the long timber trusses for the main pool and the gymnasium, as well as all other engineered timber elements, and bring it to a locked 3D model and shop drawings.

All metal hardware is factory-assembled guaranteeing precision, accuracy and finally time and equipments savings on site. On our social media channels, LinkedIn and Instagram, you'll be able to find production and shipment photos taken during the supply process.

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE JOB

17/11/2020

We are pleased to announce that, thanks to our partnership with Rubner Holzbau and their total prefabrication approach when it comes to timber structures, as well as our long-time involvement with translucent roofing systems from dott.Gallina, our first internally designed, prefabricated and modular roofing structure for outdoor swimming pools is ready. From 20x30mt up to 40*70mt (so far), this structure scores a point of difference in sustainability, aesthetics, speed of completion from design to erection, durability without maintenance, affordability.

Download here the brochure.

25/10/2020

We are pleased to have three successfully-completed jobs running for the 2020 Timber Design Awards. Together with Rubner as sponsors of the this year edition, we can't wait to participate to the Virtual Celebration to take place in November. The exact date will be public soon.

Good luck to Marrickville Library, Chadstone Link and Stromlo Leisure Centre.

20/09/2019

THECA AUSTRALIA ON INSTAGRAM

After many Clients, Architects and Engineers objected that we didn't have an always updated window where they could see our realisations in Australia and New Zealand, here we go! The creation of Theca Instagram page is meant to keep you all constantly informed. Enjoy!