Sumitomo
Fire Laboratory

Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd has embarked on an innovative quest to address concerns about the fire performance of mass timber buildings. Their groundbreaking approach involves the creation of a dedicated Fire Laboratory in timber, located within the vibrant setting of Tsukuba Science City, Japan.

The architectural marvel of this laboratory lies in its ingenious utilization of PTL’s Pres-Lam system. This advanced system marries the strength of post-tensioned steel cables with the versatility of large timber components, resulting in exceptional resistance and structural robustness. This design philosophy has created a vast, open testing hall, essential for the laboratory’s mission.

Remarkably, the testing hall relies on eight walls strategically placed to offer both lateral and vertical support to the timber roof, showcasing the engineering prowess of Sumitomo Forestry. To ensure precision and flawless execution, the construction process involved manufacturing in New Zealand for overseas assembly. This required tolerances that left no room for error, met with the impeccable precision afforded by CNC machined Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).