Carruthers Chalet, Perisher Valley | Australia
The Carruthers Chalet opened at an altitude of 1,800 metres at the start of the Australian winter season in July. binderholz worked with Brother Nature and PRD Architects to carry out the entire project, from planning to on-site assembly.
b_project was responsible for structural and fire protection planning, design, solid wood production, provision of suitable fasteners and connections, prefabrication and delivery of components.
FACTS
Project Tourismus, Hotel /Chalet
Location Perisher Valley
Construction 2025
Client Brother Nature Design and Build
Architecture PRD Architects
Material use 424 m³ binderholz CLT BBS, 45 m³ binderholz glulam und 104 m3 binderholz solid wood panels
Carruthers Chalet is a brand new ski-in/ski-out accommodation in the Front Valley of the Perisher ski resort in Kosciuszko National Park. Given the tight winter schedule, the planning and organisation of the project was particularly well timed. Against all odds, the team was able to complete the project in time for the doors to open for the ski season – the binderholz logistics team ensured that every component arrived on site on time and in perfect condition. This ensured that the project ran smoothly and the schedule was adhered to. This was largely made possible by the solid wood construction, for which the material arrived at the construction site from Austria 19 weeks before assembly.
It is a Class 3 building with a complex fire protection solution in the middle of a remote national park. The accommodation is unique in that it is one of the few new developments in the national park and is even completely barrier-free. It is warm, luxurious, comfortable and incredibly sustainable. A total of 424 m³ of binderholz CLT BBS was used in the chalet. CLT BBS offers a highly elastic, dimensionally stable and fast construction method with shorter construction times, improved fire protection through integrated fire protection solutions and optimised thermal and sound insulation. In the bar area, an additional 45 m³ of binderholz glulam was used as a visible roof truss, giving the room an open, warm aesthetic.
The basic structure was constructed using bricks, and the timber construction was then built on top of this. The advantage of this approach is that the central supporting structure is built first, followed by quick, slimmer timber construction elements, which increases efficiency, reduces construction height and improves thermal efficiency.
Time factor: Due to the limited winter closure periods and the short snow-free periods, an extremely tight construction schedule was necessary. The reported time advantage resulted from prefabrication and logistical planning, which made it possible to proceed rapidly with the construction work despite the high altitude and adverse weather conditions.
Modern technology in a sustainable wood building
The client attaches great importance to sustainability, as the chalet is located in the mountains. The focus is not only on the construction method, but also on operation after completion. Wood is the perfect material for the region and the building, supporting material cycles, carbon footprints and local aesthetics in a meaningful way.
Photos: © Lucas Wilkinson
