Structurally sound

SOMETIMES THE sheer size of a construction project can in itself be the biggest challenge. Multiple contractors working together, hundreds of thousands of man hours involved, and then there's the volume of materials used.

For Calty Constructions contracted to carry out finishing carpentry work on the Millennium Arts Project the size and complexity of the contract was a welcome challenge, says managing director Gordon Clements.

"I've been working in Australia since the late 1970s and this has to be the biggest hardwood timber job we've ever worked on," he says.

The amount of timber needed to complete external decks and screens, as well as the internal screens and ceiling linings, and the logistics of having it onsite at the required time, meant much of the supply was ordered well in advance.

"Similar to building a house, you order your timber in advance to ensure there's enough stock and that you'll have it when you need it. This job was no different, except that given the size, instead of ordering the timber six weeks in advance like you would for a house we were ordering eight months in advance," says Clements.

Working in conjunction with the architects at the design construct stage, Calty Constructions devised the end look for the carpentry based on the timbers specified by the architects.

"Western spotted gum sourced from Gowan Lea Timbers was used on all external applications because of its high resistance to rot and insect pests in fact the timber has a durability rating of 1, the highest rating available. Tallowwood was used on the interior applications, again because of its durability. You could bring your grandchildren in 50 years' time and it'll still be here and still in good nick," says Clements.

For details, contact Calty Constructions, 914 Davidlow Way, Marcoola, QLD 4558, phone (07) 5448 8433, fax (07) 5448 8102. Email: office@calty.com.au, or visit the website: www.calty.com.au.

Story by: Trendsideas