Red Stag TimberLab supplies mass timber roofs for NZ bus stations
The Eastern Busway project features hybrid construction with CLT panels and 65mm glulam flitch rafters, reducing on-site installation time for the public infrastructure.
Mass Timber Roofs for New Zealand Infrastructure
Red Stag TimberLab (RSTL) has supplied mass timber roof structures for four new bus stations in New Zealand. These stations, part of the Eastern Busway network connecting Pakūranga and Botany, include Pōhatu, Te Taha Wai, Koata, and Pakūranga. The structures were designed using a modular "kit of parts" approach, which enabled consistent components across all locations.
RSTL was responsible for manufacturing and supplying these engineered timber roof systems for the public transport infrastructure.
Hybrid Timber and Steel Specifications
The roof system integrates cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels supported by curved-cut glulam flitch rafters. This hybrid construction method combines engineered timber with steel to optimize both structural performance and material efficiency. Specifically, the steel flitch rafters consist of twin 65mm glulam members encasing an internal steel plate.
This design choice provides a robust structural roof diaphragm while presenting a clean, exposed timber soffit within the stations, contributing to the architectural expression of the canopies.
Project Delivery and Prefabrication
The Eastern Busway project is a collaborative effort by an alliance comprising Auckland Transport, Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM, and Jacobs, working in partnership with mana whenua. Aspec Construction, a sub-contractor to this alliance, engaged Red Stag TimberLab as the supply partner for the mass timber components.
Red Stag TimberLab translated the project's design into precision-manufactured timber components using advanced digital modeling and CNC fabrication processes. This prefabricated approach significantly reduced installation time at the various station sites.
Implications for Asia-Pacific Projects
This New Zealand project shows how hybrid timber construction can offer flexibility and efficiency for public infrastructure developments. By combining the strengths of multiple materials, such as engineered timber and steel, within a single structural system, projects can optimize design and accelerate construction schedules.
Developers and specifiers in the Asia-Pacific region considering large-scale public or commercial developments can evaluate similar prefabricated hybrid timber solutions to achieve faster on-site assembly and potentially lower overall project costs for their upcoming builds.
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