Forté Apartments

The building

Forté is Australia’s first timber high rise apartment building, and the tallest in the world at the time of construction. A showpiece for natural and new, it is where modern architecture meets a natural building material, called Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), which unlocks a new era in the future of sustainable development and healthier living. Accredited as Australia’s first 5 Star Green-Star As Built certified on market residential building, Forté towers over 10 storeys offering 23 residential apartments with ground floor retail.

Completed in 2012, it is unique with only 3 spacious apartments per floor offering residents privacy and intimacy, dual aspect views and it is designed to make the most of sunlight and natural ventilation.

The approach

The project was obviously unique in all ways. The approached adopted by Scientific Fire Services in partnership with Lend Lease was firstly one of research understanding of the technical merits of the unique Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) product. The team conducted detailed structural analysis of the building using finite element analysis modelling of the structure coupled with the adoption of charring rate calculations being the governing factor for structural stability under fire conditions.

The team took a consultative approach with the MFB considering the ground breaking technology CLT adopted for the project was new to all stakeholders.

Scientific Fire Services takes great pride in having the opportunity to work on such as unique and challenging project.

Location Docklands, Victoria, Australia
Completion 2012