A newly completed build at 32 Southern Cross Road brings a fresh look to the entrance of the Rangiora Business Hub. Built by Tuatara Structures for Arumoni Developments, the commercial facility steps away from conventional building materials, swapping standard steel framing for engineered timber.

Designed by South Architects, the building features a clean mono-pitched form carried by structural glulam portal frames, which were manufactured off-site by Techlam at their Levin plant. Opting for timber was a deliberate move as it reduced the project's upfront embodied carbon while giving the premises a distinctive street presence right at the entrance to the park.

“The main reasons we used glulam portals on this build were the sustainability benefits and the visual finish,” explained Ben Everest, Quantity Surveyor at Tuatara Structures. “The lower upfront carbon footprint was a key part of the decision. The timber portals gave the building a clear point of difference in the business park, while still being practical for the structure.”

Engineering the portal structure required close collaboration with PTL Structural & Fire to ensure the frame met all strength and durability requirements for commercial use. The timeline added pressure. After an initial wait, the project moved ahead rapidly, requiring Techlam to engineer, detail and produce the structural timber package within a compressed window to avoid delaying the build schedule.

Precision manufacturing carried out in Levin meant the components arrived on site in Canterbury ready to be assembled. That off-site preparation paid off immediately for the build team. Working with pre-cut, pre-fitted parts kept assembly straightforward and eliminated the need for on-site timber modification.

“To create something different from the normal and make this build a bit of a showpiece, laminated timber was selected,” said Cameron McLean, Senior Project Manager at Tuatara Structures. “Our carpenters enjoyed working with timber for a change and everything fitted together very well. The final product looks awesome and has had a lot of positive comments from around town!”

Sourced from sustainably managed New Zealand plantation pine, the exposed glulam portals add natural warmth to the interior while maintaining the clear spans needed for daily operations. Rather than hiding the structural elements away, leaving the frames exposed creates an open, honest working environment.

The completed project at 32 Southern Cross Road highlights how well engineered timber can slot into standard commercial construction. By pairing straightforward prefabrication with low embodied carbon, it proves timber portal frames are a practical, good-looking alternative for contemporary business park developments.