This guide seeks to expand the view of timber as an ‘aesthetic skin’ to include new forms of engagement. It deals specifically with the development of design concepts for new wood-based office fitout systems revolving around environmental sustainability outcomes.
Introduction
The emphasis is on reducing the recurring physical waste and embodied carbon/energy brought about by the ‘fitout-stripout-repeat’ cycle that commonly arises from lease churn over the life of office buildings. This is primarily achieved by designing with a view to increased reuse and recycling, and by taking advantage of the inherent benefits of timber as a sustainable construction material. Designs particularly focus on partitions, workstations, furniture and suspended ceiling tiles.