The Timbah Timbah facade design explores the intersection of environmental performance and material honesty through the use of locally sourced timber battens layered over a durable fibre cement inner shell. The timber acts as both a climate moderator and a visual filter, softening light, reducing solar gain, and responding differently across north and south orientations as it naturally weathers over time. Behind the battens, a high-performance building envelope integrates low-E double glazing, timber window frames with strong thermal resistance, and a reflective TPO roof membrane to optimise energy efficiency in the Climate Zone 6 context of Melbourne. The structure is anchored by cross-laminated timber construction for its low embodied carbon, thermal performance, and fire resistance, reinforcing the project’s commitment to renewable materials, carbon reduction, and long-term durability. Together, the facade becomes an active environmental system that balances aesthetics, sustainability, and building performance rather than serving as a purely decorative skin
