Project Showcase: T3 Building Collingwood
Project Overview
The T3 Building in Collingwood, Melbourne, stands as Australia’s tallest timber hybrid office structure and marks the first implementation of Hines’ T3 (Timber, Transit, Technology) concept in the country. Situated at 36–52 Wellington Street, this 15-storey development integrates eight levels of cross-laminated timber (CLT), emphasizing sustainability and biophilic design. The project has garnered multiple accolades, including the 2024 CTBUH Award for Best Tall Building under 100 meters and the AIA National Architecture Award for Commercial Architecture.
Building Envelope Strategy
A critical component of the T3 Building’s performance is its airtightness and moisture management. To achieve this, the project incorporated ProctorPassive Wraptite SA, a self-adhering, vapour-permeable membrane designed to provide for protection of the mass timber during construction and for the life of the building.
About ProctorPassive Wraptite SA
ProctorPassive Wraptite SA combines the best properties of a vapour permeable water and air barrier, in one innovative self-adhering product.Its patented full-coverage air-permeable adhesive ensures high vapour permeability while maintaining exceptional weather and airtightness. The membrane is compliant with AS/NZS 4200.1:2017, is Codemark Certified in Australia & New Zealand, and is a Passive House Institute phA certified component.
Key Features:
- Exceptional airtightness with an air barrier rating of 0.01 m³/m²·h @ 50Pa (EN 12114).
- High vapour permeability (Class 4), allowing sheathing to dry quickly and moisture to escape.
- No primer required on most clean substrates, facilitating ease of installation.
- Tough laminate construction resists punctures and tears.
- Zero VOCs and free of any chemicals on the Living Building Challenge Red List.
Installation and Performance
Wraptite SA’s self-adhering nature allowed for a straightforward installation process, bonding without mechanical attachments to various substrates. This reduced the need for sealants, minimizing potential points of failure and ensuring a robust air barrier. Its high vapour permeability facilitated the drying of the mass timber CLT & glulam, reducing the risk of mould, mildew, and condensation within the building envelope.
Sustainability Impact
The use of ProctorPassive Wraptite SA contributed significantly to the T3 Building’s sustainability goals through effective moisture management. Additionally, the building’s timber design resulted in a 34% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional construction methods.
Products & Application
Wraptite SA was applied in the factory by XLAM so arrived on site prewrapped. Wraptite SA was also pre-applied by Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) to the end of glulam columns and beams. On site, the CLT panel joints were finished with Wraptite SA tape.
The Wraptite SA was selected to provide for weather protection during construction with the huge advantage of market leading vapour permeance top allow the timber to dry out as fast as possible if it was ever to wet get during construction or for the life of the building.
Project: T3 CLT Building
Location: Collingwood, VIC
Product: ProctorPassive Wraptite-SA
Architect: JCB Architects
Builder: Icon Constructions
The integration of ProctorPassive Wraptite SA in the T3 Building exemplifies the synergy between innovative building materials and sustainable design practices. Its contribution to airtightness, moisture control, and overall building performance underscores its suitability for modern, environmentally conscious construction projects.
For more information on ProctorPassive Wraptite SA, you can visit the Proctor Group Australia website.
About ProctorPassive Wraptite SA
ProctorPassive Wraptite SA combines the best properties of a vapour permeable membrane and self-adhesive water and air barrier in one innovative self-adhering product. Wraptite SA utilizes a patented full coverage air permeable adhesive to provide unsurpassed vapour permeability in a commercial quality, self-adhered, water-resistant vapour permeable membrane.
Featured image on this post is from Icon Construction https://icon.co/projects/36-wellington-street/
