Climate Change Adaptation Project
- Sustainability
Partnership
The Light Horse Logistics Hub is a pioneering project setting new standards for sustainable and innovative design in industrial construction. Spanning an impressive 170,000 square meters of industrial warehouses and office space, this flagship development is a key part of Charter Hall’s industrial portfolio. Northrop was brought on board to collaborate with architect Nettletontribe, builder Richard Crooks Constructions and timber installer Savcon. The project is a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and excellence in industrial construction, bringing the best of contemporary CBD infrastructure, architecture and office design to the Light Horse Interchange Business Hub.
Project
Our team faced the challenge of integrating mass timber into an industrial setting—a relatively new approach in this sector. The pavilion-style structure proposed by Nettletontribe required creative engineering solutions to incorporate timber as the primary material. Northrop collaborated with local suppliers XLAM and ASH to coordinate a locally sourced mass timber solution, which significantly reduced lead times and ensured timely project completion.
Delivery
Our Structural team collaborated closely with timber experts from Savcon, XLAM and ASH to address challenges such as protecting the timber from water exposure to prevent swelling. Our approach involved designing a lightweight timber structure to support an expansive glass canopy, meeting the project’s durability requirements while preserving the architectural integrity of the pavilion-style design.
Our Sustainability Consultants contributed to significant operational efficiencies, reducing the building’s operational energy consumption by over 60% and potable water consumption by almost 75%. Additionally, helping to reduce the embodied carbon in the structure. These efforts helped the project exceed its initial sustainability targets, achieving a 6-Star Green Star Design & As-Built rating, up from the original 5-Star target.
Impact
Charter Hall’s objectives were multifaceted: to showcase their dedication to sustainability, achieve Green Star compliance and implement mass timber construction in a fast-paced industrial project. Our consultative approach ensured that they had the tools and knowledge they needed to make it happen. The local sourcing of materials and close collaboration with suppliers resulted in a substantial reduction in lead times. This efficiency allowed for the timely completion of the project, demonstrating that mass timber can be a viable option for industrial applications.
The Light Horse Logistics Hub project not only fulfilled Charter Hall’s immediate goals but also set a precedent for sustainable industrial construction. Northrop’s expertise and innovative solutions were pivotal in overcoming the challenges and delivering a project that stands as a model for future Industrial developments.
“Northrop has demystified how a 40% reduction in embodied carbon can be achieved in a typical Industrial and Logistics Development.”
Jeanine Hill, Charter Hall, Sustainability Manager
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