Jinju Community Centre

Jinju, a prominent city in South Korea known for its arts and culture, is dedicated to preserving its unique cultural capital. As a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art, Jinju has implemented an action plan to align its green urban development vision with architectural projects that host cultural events, exhibitions, and tourism. A prime example of this synergy is the new community centre, which embraces green architecture and Jinju’s cultural heritage through the use of natural building materials.

Project Overview

On November 20, 2020, Canada Wood Korea entered into an MOU with the Jinju City mayor, committing to utilizing nail-laminated timber (NLT) as the roof system for the new community centre. The project highlights the city’s dedication to green development and showcases the versatility of NLT in providing both aesthetics and acoustic properties aligned with Jinju’s cultural heritage.

NLT Panel Configurations

Canada Wood Korea proposed four distinct NLT panel configurations, each featuring alternating patterns of dimensional lumber to create a fluted aesthetic and optimize the acoustic performance of the space. These innovative designs underscore the adaptability of NLT in various built environments while demonstrating its potential for enhancing the overall user experience.

Off-Site Prefabrication

All NLT panels, crafted from Canadian SPF lumber, were manufactured off-site in Busan to emphasize the ease of prefabrication in diverse construction scenarios. This efficient approach streamlined the construction process, reducing on-site labor and waste generation.

Technical Support and Project Completion

Throughout the planning and construction phases, Canada Wood Korea offered technical guidance to share best practices and support the developer in mastering the design, manufacturing, and installation of the NLT system. With factory prefabrication completed, the on-site installation took only five days, culminating in the project’s successful completion by the end of July 2021.

The Jinju Creative City Community Centre embodies the harmonious fusion of green urban development and cultural heritage, while championing the use of sustainable materials such as nail-laminated timber. This project sets a benchmark for future architectural endeavors in Jinju and beyond, demonstrating the potential for eco-friendly and culturally sensitive design.

As the first NLT project in South Korea, this project builds a ‘proof of concept’ case for NLT use in the non-residential sector for the South Korean construction market.

Funding for this project is provided through Natural Resources Canada