Mass timber is reshaping the way we think about construction in Australia—offering speed, sustainability, and design flexibility in contexts where traditional methods often fall short. But what happens when you bring cross-laminated timber (CLT) into one of the harshest environments in the country—a remote alpine setting with extreme climate, complex terrain, and limited local experience in new building systems?
That was the challenge behind Mountains, a townhouse project that became both a test bed and a breakthrough for the design team. From navigating council constraints and steep topography, to embracing prefabrication and modular construction, the journey pushed everyone involved to think differently.
In this conversation, the team reflects on what it took to deliver their first CLT project—from structural innovation and bathroom pods, to procurement strategies and lessons learned about building in regional Australia. The result? A landmark project that not only proves timber can thrive in alpine conditions, but also signals its growing potential across the residential market.
Q: What excited you most about bringing mass timber construction into a remote alpine setting, and how did it influence your decision-making during design and delivery?
The idea of using a material that’s already proven in the European Alps—where mass timber has long been embraced—was a natural fit for us. It gave us confidence that CLT would perform well in our harshest climates. But beyond that, it was a chance to show that this method has real potential in the Australian market, even in places where building conditions can be challenging.
This was our first CLT project, so we were learning on the job. We leaned heavily on our consultant team, who brought valuable experience to the table. Decisions were made collaboratively, and the 3D model became a critical learning tool during procurement. It helped us understand how the structure would go together and where we could speed things up—especially important on a site with over 12 metres of elevation change.
CLT gave us structural flexibility—like cantilevered balconies and bedrooms—that let us get creative with the site and deliver maximum value for our client. It also meant a super quick install once we hit site. But with any new system, there was a fair bit of thinking on our feet and helping local trades adapt to the methods and tolerances required. Whilst brilliant tradesmen and people, most hadn’t worked in a 3D model before, so translating that into their process was part of the experience too.
Q: Mountains required a significant reworking of the original concept to suit CLT. Can you talk us through the biggest design challenges you had to solve to make the material work at scale?
We received the project at concept stage, with one major issue from Council—parking. The design needed to support double garages, which meant rethinking the entire structural approach.
That’s when we saw the opportunity CLT presented. Switching to mass timber unlocked things like long-span living areas, cantilevers, and dramatic gable ceilings. The change didn’t just solve the parking challenge—it allowed the entire design to evolve into something more open, elegant, and resolved. We had been gunning for the right project to get started with in timber for a while, so we were thrilled.
In the end, what seemed like a challenge actually became the key to unlocking a better outcome. Townhouses are a great typology for CLT. We expect to see more and more of them using it as the industry catches on.
Q: The bathroom pods were a critical part of speeding up construction. What innovative practices did you explore in developing, manufacturing, and installing those modular units on-site?
We wouldn’t say it was a highly innovative approach—more like borrowing techniques from big commercial construction and applying them at a smaller scale.
At the time, Mountains was the biggest project we’d taken on, and using bathroom pods was a way to keep the build efficient. We partnered with Interpod, who were great even though our volume was well below their usual minimum order. Doing bathrooms on site would’ve added months we didn’t have—regional trades are flat out, and we had to keep momentum.
Our focus was on accuracy and protection. We worked closely with the crane team and Interpod to make sure our as-builts were right and tolerances were tight. Templates provided by Interpod helped us confirm readiness before anything landed on site. The pods were a precision product, and we made sure they were installed with care.
Q: This was a high-performance building delivered by a team new to both CLT and modular techniques. What systems or processes helped you keep things efficient and accurate during installation?
We built the site team around a clear hierarchy of responsibility. Two lead installers worked at the front, followed by fixers, then QA behind that—constantly checking progress against the documentation.
Our systems at that point were largely paper-based, and this project became the first real test of what we’d developed in theory. Some processes worked well. Others didn’t. But the project helped refine everything.
Most importantly, the whole site team understood the significance of what we were doing. We were developing something new, and the buy-in was total. Many of the same people still work with us today because of the trust and collaboration that started here.
Q: There’s a clear emphasis on showcasing the timber structure throughout the interiors. How do you approach the balance between exposing raw materials and delivering long-term durability?
That’s often driven by the client. Nine times out of ten, they walk into a timber building and say, “Don’t cover it—this is stunning.”
Designers are also starting to embrace timber as both structure and finish. While we still think of it primarily as a structural material, under the right conditions it can be both. We just make sure it’s protected where needed and detailed appropriately for longevity.
Q: With Mountains now complete, what have you taken from the experience into future projects—particularly when it comes to prefabrication and building in regional or remote areas?
The biggest takeaway? Procurement is everything.
With prefabrication—especially in regional areas—you have to think ten steps ahead. Every element you can lock in early will pay off in spades. The timeline gets compressed once panels are onsite, so you can’t afford to be slow with trades or materials.
Building regionally is all about relationships. You’re often drawing from a smaller pool of trades, and there’s a lot of work available for them. So the success of the job comes down to how well you engage those teams early and make the process work for them, not against them.
Head to kunamatownhouses.com to book a stay in these mass timber townhouses.
