A well-established material used throughout Europe MET is growing in popularity in large scale construction projects in Australia.

The use of MET in our office is an innovative and sustainable design response which exemplifies Geelong’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design.

MET is made by gluing saw-cut timber together with non-toxic adhesive to form multiple layers with boards laid in opposite directions to increase strength.

The final product can be used to span two directions and is manufactured to the highest levels of accuracy using the latest technology. It is manufactured in a factory-controlled environment and cut to specific sizes and shapes ready to be assembled onsite.

MET has been used in a range of medium and high-rise projects across Australia with buildings up to 10 stories constructed out of MET.

There are a number of excellent attributes which made MET the best choice for the construction of our office: 

• Sustainability: MET is a sustainable alternative to traditional construction materials. Sourced from sustainably managed sources timber stores CO2 creating a lower embodied carbon footprint than using concrete and steel. As the timber is prefabricated it also significantly reduces waste onsite through the construction process and allows for quicker construction time frames meaning less time on site.
• Performance: MET performs well when compared to concrete and steel. The cross-lamination process means that beams and structural elements are strong and safe while being significantly lighter. MET also has similar acoustic performance to other construction methods and performs well thermally. It also has a long lifespan with low maintenance requirements meaning that well designed and manufactured buildings will last long into the future.
• Fire safety: Contrary to what you might expect MET has excellent fire resistance. Timber has good thermal insulation properties and when it burns a layer of char is created that helps to protect and maintain the strength and structural integrity of the wood inside. MET can often be used in unprotected situations where non-combustible materials such as steel would require special fire protection. Fire resistant linings will improve the already excellent fire resistance of MET.
• Amenity: There are significant advantages to working and spending time within a timber building. Timber is visually appealing creating a warm living atmosphere far removed from a typical sterile office environment. This as well as lots of natural light greenery and access to outdoor spaces make the Civic Precinct a great place to work and visit.