Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia’s new mezzanine office and boardroom was formally opened by EWPAA Chair Stuart Toakley last week enthusiastically attended by industry and supply chain representatives. Source: Timberbiz
The new office is open and welcoming, showcasing the flexible use of a range of EWPAA member companies’ renewable engineered wood products (EWPs), and offers staff a creative new space to work in and interact with industry.
EWPAA CEO and Chair with the grand opening plaque.
It demonstrates that a bland industrial unit can be made into a vibrant workplace.
This previously mezzanine roof storage space was transformed by well-known industry stalwart and retired EWPAA employee, Andy McNaught.
Though he may be retired, he’s still very much committed to the industry and promoting EWP use. From start to finish, Mr McNaught skilfully designed, managed trades, and built the new workspace. The EWPAA team is deeply grateful for his immense knowledge, his years of service, and the impressive quality and functionality of the new build.
As you enter EWPAA’s front door, you’re greeted by a commanding laminated hardwood tabletop, skilfully manufactured by Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), followed by more ASH laminated stair treads, leading to the new mezzanine office landing.
Here you see an aesthetically immaculate feature of Austral Plywood vertical strips, accentuated by a backing charcoal painted wall. The Australian Panels’ particleboard STRUCTAflor may be easy to miss, as it’s not been used as a flooring product, but makes up the external cladding of the panelised framing sections.
The unsung and unsighted heroes but are just as important are the now-clad products, AKD timber framing from the Caboolture sawmill, and Wesbeam e-joist. Two EWPs that do the job well and are a sensible and renewable choice for renovations and lightweight timber framing builds.
Where the new office space really comes together is the exquisite interior. Australian Panels Easycraft Easy VJ100 is a simple product, that truly adds extensive value to the room. The softened texture from the floor-to-ceiling profile leads perfectly into the charcoal feature wall. Austral Plywood ceilings, doors, and trimmings are ever present, as they both pop with a flash of colour and grain texture yet are subtle and warming.
“The new build reflects our commitment to innovative use of EWPs, our members, their products, and our renewable timber industry. The new workspace, created masterfully by Andy McNaught, is a welcoming environment which we’re proud of, and will show off every chance we get,” EWPAA CEO Gavin Matthew said.
EWPAA Chair Stuart Toakley declared the new office was the ‘cherry on top of the cake’ of recent investments made by EWPAA and reflected the association’s leading role in providing timber technical expertise, product certification and testing throughout Australasia.
