The project provides a landmark facility designed to showcase innovation, sustainability, and advanced timber construction technologies, while serving as Scion’s public-facing hub for research, collaboration, and engagement.

The development comprises 1,835m² of new build gross floor area, integrating seamlessly with the existing Blocks L, H, and E, together with the alteration and refurbishment of the existing O Block (Holodeck area) measuring 255m². The total project area delivered was approximately 2,090m².

The Hub features a combination of triple-height atrium spaces and three-storey open-plan work environments, creating a highly collaborative and visually connected workplace. The facility also incorporates an entry foyer, meeting and breakout spaces, café and commercial kitchen facilities, staff amenities, visitor engagement areas, and dedicated display spaces.

Constructed as a signature engineered timber building, the project showcases innovative structural timber systems combined with high-performance façade design. The structure incorporates: Diagrid LVL wall frames / LVL floor and roof beams / Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) floor systems and lift shaft panels / Glulam and CLT entrance canopies / Structural steel integrated with large-format glazing systems.

A defining architectural feature of the building is the extensive curtain wall glazing spanning three elevations, incorporating fritted glass patterns inspired by the surrounding forest environment. The main façade also features a double-skinned glazed void, enhancing thermal performance while creating a striking arrival experience for visitors and staff.

Sustainability principles were central to the project delivery. Designed specifically for the local climate conditions, the Hub incorporates a motorised double-skin façade system that supports heat recovery during winter and assists with thermal control during summer through coloured glazing panels and ventilated cavity spaces. Additional energy-efficient initiatives include natural ventilation systems, solar shading, and LED lighting throughout the facility, significantly reducing operational energy demands.

The project incorporates approximately 454m³ of structural timber, storing an estimated 418 tonnes of CO₂-e for the life of the building. The use of engineered timber in place of more carbon-intensive construction materials contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower embodied carbon throughout the construction process.

The completed Hub stands as a highly sustainable and architecturally significant facility that reflects Scion’s leadership in forestry innovation, timber research, and environmentally responsible development.