In the heart of Midland, a bold vision is reshaping the future of apartment living in Western Australia. The Tuohy Gardens project led by Bluerock Developments is not only a landmark in sustainable design but also a testament to the power of local collaboration and innovation.
Partnering with Wesbeam, Bluerock has challenged traditional construction norms, delivering a four-storey, timber-framed apartment building with environmental performance and construction efficiency at its core.
Reimagining Commercial Construction with Timber
Historically, Western Australia's commercial and multi-residential sectors have been dominated by brick and concrete. But Bluerock has chosen a different path.
“It may well be the traditional way of doing things in Western Australia to build with brick and concrete,” said Stuart Hawley, Director at Bluerock Developments. “But actually, the rest of the world, and most of the country builds with timber. We're not necessarily timber evangelists. We're focused on finding the most efficient way to build.”
For the Tuohy Gardens project, that efficient solution came in the form of engineered timber including LVL I-joists and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) products, supplied by Wesbeam.
The Wesbeam Advantage: Local, Technical, and Scalable
Wesbeam, a proudly Western Australian-owned company, delivered 59 packs (154.393 m³) of engineered timber to the site including:
- Three floors of I-joists supporting 51 apartments
- Large e-beam billets forming part of the first-floor structure
- A full roof of I-joists
Notably, the team worked with custom billet configurations, purchasing 1200mm billets, cutting them back to 900mm, and laminating (screwing three together) to create larger structural elements. This approach not only optimised material usage but also improved structural performance.
Wesbeam’s support extended far beyond product supply. “They’re local, and that makes a huge difference,” said Stuart. “I could visit the Wesbeam factory, speak to the engineers, see the manufacturing process, it gave us confidence. Their back-of-house support, in-house engineering, and logistics were exceptional.”
Engineering for Sustainability and Speed
Bluerock’s vision for Tuohy Gardens is rooted in sustainability and construction innovation. The project aims to achieve a 6-star NABERS Energy rating, building on a precedent set by their previous development at the DeHavilland Apartments.
“The environmental factors around timber frame construction are a massive consideration for our company,” said Daniel Rainone, Director at Bluerock Developments. “Timber is the only way we can hit the high sustainability targets we’ve set.”
Engineered timber also brought significant construction efficiency. “One of the great benefits of timber is the speed of construction, and its ability to integrate with other materials,” Stuart added. “It performs exceptionally well in low to mid-rise apartment developments.”
Local Timber, Local Jobs, Local Impact
This project is more than just a building; it’s a WA success story.
“The timber is locally grown, the Wesbeam factory is just up the road, and all the trades and engineers are West Australians,” said Tom Rickery, Technical Manager from Wesbeam. “It demonstrates how we can support housing and jobs here in WA while innovating at scale.”
The project also complies with national standards: under the National Construction Code (NCC), fire-protected timber framing (including LVL and I-joists) can now be used in buildings up to 25 metres high, opening the door for further timber-based apartment construction.
Shaping the Future: Timber in WA Apartments
The Tuohy Gardens development is part of a broader shift. Bluerock and Wesbeam are showing what's possible when innovation, sustainability, and local expertise come together.
“We fully intend to expand our use of timber framing in future developments,” said Daniel. “It’s a sustainable, efficient way to build, and Wesbeam has been a fantastic partner in making that possible.”
For a construction industry long reliant on traditional materials, Tuohy Gardens stands as proof that WA is ready for timber, and that the future can be built greener, faster, and better.