Unique Launceston, Australia, Timber Office High-Rise Is Officially Open

Launceston’s newest office building and one of Australia’s most sustainable buildings is officially open, according to a feature by Pulse Tasmania (7-22-24).

The $27 million (AUD) St Lukes Health wellness hub is a seven-story, cross-laminated timber structure that has been independently assessed by the University of New South Wales as having 55% less carbon than a typical commercial building, with further detailed certifications underway.

It is the first timber building of its type in Tasmania and one of only a dozen nationwide. Project director and board member Martin Rees said the project has been five years in the making and is a “very unique” addition to Launceston. “St Luke’s is probably the largest office-based head office in Launceston of anybody, with 140 people,” he said.

Rees added, “If you look at the Green Star building ratings on that criteria, that gives us a six-star building in terms of body carbon and that’s a very, very high success rate. In terms of levels, that’s a very, very successful outcome for us. We’re really proud of that and we have benchmarked against other buildings, and this is probably one of the best in Australia.”