showcasing an extensive use of recycled timber

Australia’s newest and largest pub was officially opened on 2nd April 2011. The outstanding development was the inspiration of the environmentally conscious family owned Comiskey Group. Australia’s “Monster Pub” has 100 beer taps surpassed in Queensland only by Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba!

Development commenced in the midst of the global financial crisis. Robert Comiskey of the Comiskey Group stated that he had confidence in the area and decided to take a “leap of faith” by getting the project underway, “GFC or not!”

The hotel, which is set to employ an estimated 150 staff, is without a doubt built to impress. Sprawling some 7500sqm, the hotel includes four levels, eight bars, and a 2500 person capacity rock arena. Project architect Keith Hudson said they had focused on “trying to get away from that air conditioned, sealed box” feeling typical in buildings like this, by “introducing more of a subtropical Queensland architecture.”

In keeping with this architectural design intent, Kennedy’s timbers were the natural choice. Premium Classic Aged Timbers were chosen specifically and used extensively throughout the development.

Timber employed included over 18,000 lineal metres of decorative timbers and over 2000 lineal metres of structural feature timbers, faithfully supporting the architects vision, while maintaining the client’s budget. Impressive design and the extensive use of recycled timbers have created a range of spaces that are comfortable, stress free, and very typically Queensland.

Beautiful hardwood cladding lines the ceilings in parts, accompanied by rich Spotted Gum Eco Lay flooring, creating wonderfully relaxed spaces undeniably meant for dining and enjoying the company of others.
Feature posts and beams, crafted from redundant power poles, enhance open air spaces and continue the thoughtful use of natural elements throughout.

Kennedy’s K-FAB laminated timber provides beautiful robust and functional main serving bar tops and dry bars throughout the hotel.

At every turn, Kennedy’s handcrafted tables (internal, external, and coffee), all fashioned from hand selected recycled timbers with superbly rich patina and warm colour palettes, enhance the relaxed and hassle-free décor of this quintessential Queensland pub.

A central feature of the hotel is an enormous 150-year-old Fig tree. Thousands of dollars were spent saving the tree by building around the old Fig. No more impressive than from the rooftop bar where it steals the show.

The development will also feature a world class function facility. Stage two of development includes a planned 120-room accommodation tower along with a large shopping precinct anchored by a major supermarket.

Links:

www.kparchitects.com.au
www.eatonshillhotel.com.au

Tallowwood has a wide variety of uses however particularly impressive results are achieved when featured as internal flooring and/or cladding.

Other applications include decking, linings, exposed structures, poles, piles, bridge timbers, joinery, turnery, outdoor furniture and boat building.

Tallowwood heartwood is pale to darker yellow-brown with a noticeably lighter, almost white sapwood.

This wood has a fairly coarse texture with an interlocking grain. As the word 'tallow' suggests, the timber of this species feels greasy to the touch.

Tallowwood is reasonably easy to work however gluing can be difficult due to the greasy nature of the timber.

Tallowwood accepts paint, stain and polish readily and fixing with standard fixings and fasteners presents no problems.

Generally, Tallowwood is an extremely tough and durable Australian timber used widely in external applications such as decking.

Sawn to size timber, particularly for structural applications, is available from Kennedy's on order.

Australians have long relished an enduring love affair with timber cladding that has spanned more than a century.

Now experiencing somewhat of a renaissance there is no denying this is an affair that will continue to prevail.

Traditionally timber cladding was predominantly chosen for reasons of practicality, durability and function over any significant design or aesthetic application, specifically noting cost and ease of installation.

With an emerging social consciousness clearly focused on sustainability and the environment, timber cladding is experiencing somewhat of a revival as a popular choice among many builders and architects.

With many landmark commercial developments striving to achieve a 'green' status, in particular a Green Star rating from The Green Building Council of Australia, the use of timber cladding is high on the agenda to significantly enhance such developments.

Today, the decision to use timber cladding appears to be more so motivated by aesthetics and design, attributing the renewable, sustainable, and green sensation it lends to projects where applied.

Even the term 'timber cladding' has taken on a broadened definition with the increasingly creative and inspired ways it is being utilised.

In some cases timber cladding is used to cover harsh concrete facades, providing a very natural and organic vitality to a surface that would otherwise be seen as cold and sterile.

With varying profiles that dictate how the cladding is installed, whether vertically, horizontally or at an angle, the choices for building and design applications are endless.

The natural characteristics of timber make cladding a perfect practical, beautiful and green complement to any project. Timber cladding offers a unique warmth and style that simply cannot be matched by other materials.

Visit our recently refurbished showroom to view a full display of interior and exterior cladding products and options including shiplap, vj, tongue and groove and square dressed cladding.

Visit the Cladding section of our site for more information on Kennedy's cladding.