Big River Group’s Innovative Timber Solutions for Award-Winning Public Spaces

Creating public spaces that are both functional and engaging, is a goal for most architects and designers, and timber remains a key element in helping shape these environments. Timber’s appeal lies not only in its durability and versatility but also in the sensory experience it offers. Research has shown that wood resonates with us on a sensory level – its natural textures, warmth, and even subtle scent evoke a unique feeling that is hard to achieve with other materials.[1] This sensory connection encourages architects and designers to select timber for its ability to create spaces that are both visually striking and deeply engaging.

While timber has long been a staple in design, valued for its natural warmth and aesthetic versatility, we are now witnessing its use in innovative ways not only in residential but increasingly in commercial designs. New techniques and technologies are transforming timber into a medium for creating designs that are not only practical but also awe-inspiring in their beauty.

“One of the main challenges in designing public spaces is finding materials that can withstand heavy traffic while still maintaining their aesthetic appeal Timber meets this challenge head-on, offering a solution that is both resilient and visually captivating. Through new technologies, we’re able to push the boundaries of what timber can achieve, which in turn is allowing architects and designers to create environments that not only stand the test of time but also contribute to the user experience through a good blend of practicality and sensory appeal,” said Stuart McGonagle, Sales & Marketing Manager of Big River Group.

 

Timber as a Driver for Community Engagement

Timber plays a unique role in public architecture by providing a sense of connection and community. Its natural textures and warm tones evoke feelings of comfort and familiarity, drawing people in and encouraging them to linger. Big River Group’s products, such as ArmourPanel and ArmourCab, are known for their ability to create inviting and engaging environments that resonate deeply with individuals.

For instance, the Munro Development and Narrm Ngarrgu Library and Family Services, a key feature of the renewal of the Queen Victoria Market Precinct in Melbourne – designed by the award-winning Six Degrees Architects – uses Spotted Gum ArmourPanel extensively on walls, ceilings, and joinery. This design choice created spaces within the complex that feel harmonious and connected to nature, inviting community members to interact and engage with their surroundings. The warmth and tactility of timber brings with it a sense of belonging, making the library not just a place for books, but a hub for community engagement. Recognised with the 2024 Dimity Reed Melbourne Prize and several accolades for Public Architecture as part of the Victorian Architecture Awards, this project is the perfect example of how timber can enhance the emotional and functional qualities of public spaces.

In another stunning project, the Koorie Heritage Trust at Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square, the collaboration between Lyons, Greenaway Architects, and Architecture Associates integrates ArmourPanel and ArmourCab in Spotted Gum to weave cultural narratives into the architecture. Once again, the timber’s tactile quality enhances the sensory experience, allowing visitors to connect deeply with the space and the stories it tells. The project’s thoughtful use of timber has earned it a number of industry awards, highlighting how architecture can bridge cultural connections and encourage engagement through materiality.

 

Aesthetic and Functional Qualities of Timber

Timber’s authentic aesthetic qualities make it an ideal choice for enhancing the visual appeal of public architecture. Big River Group’s timber products, such as Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, and Hoop Pine, offer a range of finishes that allow architects to create visually stunning and functionally effective spaces.

The Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre on Victoria’s Phillip Island is a beautifully crafted space that serves as an important hub for the Island’s arts and culture. The design cleverly uses space to connect the auditorium, multi-purpose spaces, library, gallery, museum, meeting rooms, and council offices. These spaces are thoughtfully arranged around a community courtyard formed by retained mature eucalypts. In the two-storey hospitality area, a stunning colonnade of laminated mountain ash complements the interior, which is lined with Spotted Gum flooring and warm, Blackbutt-faced walling. The Centre’s foyer and auditorium showcase Blackbutt ArmourPanel on walls and joinery, where the rich tones and natural grain of the timber contribute to a warm and inviting atmosphere. This choice not only enhances the visual appeal but also ensures that the space is durable enough to withstand the demands of high-traffic areas, making it a practical and aesthetically pleasing environment for the community.

Combining the stunning intimacy of native timbers with the rugged durability of a precision-engineered structural product, Big River’s ArmourPanel is a decorative plywood that has become a popular choice due to its distinctly authentic, natural appeal. “Architects appreciate the unique grain and warm tones of our timber products, which provide a sense of intimacy and connection to nature,” said Stuart. Each ArmourPanel sheet, with its preserved unique grain structures, offers an individual and natural look, making no two sheets alike.”

 

Sustainability and Innovation in Timber Use

In addition to its aesthetic and functional benefits, timber offers significant environmental advantages. “We are committed to sustainability,” stated Stuart. “Big River uses locally sourced materials and all our products are manufactured under stringent quality control standards. Our focus is on designing products to reduce carbon footprints and enhance energy efficiency, in line with the goals of today’s architects and designers.”

An ideal example of this is the Berninneit Cultural and Community Centre, designed to Passivhaus Standards, which demonstrate how timber can be used to create low-energy, thermally efficient buildings. The use of carbon-neutral bricks and Gippsland-grown hardwood further reduces the environmental impact, making timber a smart and sustainable choice for public architecture.

The Melbourne Indigenous Transition School Boarding House, designed by McIldowie Partners, also highlights the sustainability aspect. This boarding house provides accommodation for Indigenous secondary school students from the Northern Territory and regional Victoria. ArmourPanel was used to create calming and durable spaces that support cultural narratives. This thoughtful approach to material selection and design not only enhances the environmental performance of the building but also reinforces the connection to Country and community, making the boarding house a place of comfort and belonging for its residents.

The tactile experience of timber, with its natural textures and warmth, creates a multisensory environment that engages people on a deeper level. This interaction helps to build an overall sense of community and belonging, proving that public spaces can be more than just functional areas – they become places where people can connect with one another and their surroundings.

[1] https://www.arup.com/insights/rethinking-timber-buildings/

Photography: Vicki Morskate