Sustainability & Timber

SDA provides effective engineering solutions with sustainability and waste/materials minimisation as a main design goal. We utilise structural materials intelligently, integrate structure with architects and environmental engineer’s requirements, and recycle/reuse materials to minimise the environmental impact and reduce the carbon generated by a structure.

SDA has a proven track record in the design of award winning timber structures and buildings which utilise the latest environmental sustainability best practice methods. Intelligent deployment of emerging technologies and products such as Cross Laminated Timber CLT, mass engineered timber and composite new materials, forms one part of our working design phase but it is also a principle of our design approach that waste and materials minimisation is embraced. It is the balance of integrating new materials and technologies with established techniques where these are more appropriate, that we see as a major advantage of our structural design services above our competitors. We do not force a solution and instead take a considered holistic approach which takes account of all site and project constraints to drive design decisions.

In 2006 we were awarded the National Australian Timber Design Award for Best Use of Timber as a Structural Element & the Award for Public & Commercial Buildings – Timber Frame, for Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club. 88 George Street, The Rocks was recognised as Australia’s first 5 Green Star rated Heritage Office Building and more information is presented on these featured projects below. We are proud to have received these awards however in an ever changing industry we are constantly striving to minimise the carbon generated by our projects and workplace.