Australasia's home for timber news and information

For sale, experimental earthquake tested home

For sale: an experimental home built in a lab and tested to withstand a magnitude 8 earthquake. Source: Fairfax NZ

The two-storey open plan 100sqm building was constructed in 2009 in a civil engineering lab at the University of Canterbury, by the research consortium, Structural Timber Innovation Company (STIC).

Technologies trialled in the building are now being used in 10 buildings around New Zealand, including three in Christchurch.

The building has created a lot of interest since it was put on the market two weeks ago, Colliers International investment broker Dick Thomas said.

He had received more than 40 inquiries from people interested in using the building for commercial offices and some wanted to convert it into a home.

“This building is pretty unique and could be described as quirky. It will make a statement on their property,” he said.

The building was being sold via a closed tender, so Thomas would not disclose its value.

“I guess people will make the decision based on comparative build costs.”

The building was proven to withstand seismic testing of up to a magnitude 8 quake.

It was dismantled shortly before the September 2010 quake, but was reassembled on the university grounds and has withstood the Canterbury quakes since February 22, 2011.

STIC chief executive Robert Finch said STIC was selling the building because its five-year research and development program was largely complete.

STIC was set up to develop and commercialise new technologies that will enable structural timber to compete more effectively in industrial and commercial building sectors.

The building, designed by Thom Craig, uses post-tensioned Laminated Veneer Lumber frames and shear walls with the exterior featuring marine grade ply and polycarbonate transparent panels.

The technology tested in the building was being used in a building in Victoria St, another in Birmingham Drive and a third in the central business district.