At Pinnacle Long Bay Retirement Village, Prolam’s innovative PLX Column and PLX Portal systems were specified to deliver high-capacity timber bracing – helping the design team maximise space, create larger openings and maintain the architectural vision for the project.      

Pinnacle Long Bay Retirement Village is a premium retirement community currently under construction on Auckland’s North Shore. The development will provide modern, independent living options within a carefully planned neighbourhood setting.

JTB Architects led the master plan and home design, while Meinhart (NZ) Pty Ltd was responsible for the structural engineering. The development includes 10 townhouses – each made up of three two-storey units.  

With open-plan living areas and generous openings, the design team needed bracing solutions that could provide the required structural performance without consuming valuable wall or floor space. 

Prolam’s PLX Column and PLX Portal systems were specified to meet this challenge, providing an integrated timber bracing solution that could be applied consistently across the complex.  

Solving the bracing challenge

Prolam’s PLX Column was specified at ground floor level as a compact, high-capacity bracing element. Each two-storey unit incorporates six 400mm x 90mm three-metre high PLX Columns, providing the bracing capacity within minimal wall lengths while supporting the architectural intent for more open, functional living spaces.

Working alongside the PLX Column, the PLX Portal system contributes to the lateral load-resisting bracing for large window openings on both levels. Each two-storey unit incorporates three PLX Portals – one at ground floor level measuring 3.6m wide x 3m high, and two at the upper-level measuring 3m wide by 2.4m high

Repeatable timber bracing at scale

Prolam has supplied 72 PLX Columns and 36 PLX Portals for the construction of the first four townhouses (12 units) - demonstrating how engineered timber bracing solutions can be successfully applied at scale in a multi-residential building projects.

The same repeatable bracing strategy will support consistent structural outcomes across all 10 townhouses.

Engineering support and specification confidence

For Meinhardt, technical support and collaboration was an important part of the process. Prolam's engineering team worked closely with the project engineers during the design phase, assisting with product integration and the development of project-specific connection details. 

This collaboration helped ensure the PLX systems could be coordinated with the wider timber-framed structure and applied consistently across multiple townhouse units.

The project team also drew on Prolam's technical guides and engineering documentation, which helped simplify specification and provided confidence in the performance of the PLX systems.

For Kray Sun and the team from Apollo Living, Prolam’s installation guides and videos provided practical support on site. The first time he and his team had used the system, Kray described the PLX Column and PLX Portals as easy to install, and a robust and structurally sound solution. Hear more about this project from Kray.

Build for long-term residential performance

The products supplied for the project were non-visual grade and H1.2 treated, with fire rating achieved through GIB® or similar cladding systems. PLX systems are designed for a 50-year design life, making them well suited to residential applications.

While still under construction, Pinnacle Long Bay demonstrates how Prolam’s PLX Column and PLX Portal systems can help solve one of the key challenges in modern townhouse design: achieving high bracing performance where space is limited, without compromising liveability or layout flexibility.

“The Prolam PLX Column and PLX Portal systems provided an innovative timber bracing solution that combined high lateral load capacity with minimal spatial impact. Their use enhanced architectural flexibility, reduced the dependence on conventional bracing walls, and simplified structural integration. Prolam’s technical expertise, design guidance, and comprehensive documentation supported efficient project delivery from concept through detailed design.”
— Fazil Patel, Senior Structural Engineer, Meinhardt (NZ) Pty Ltd

Get the look

Integrated timber bracing solution

PLX Column
•    6 x PLX Columns per two-storey unit
•    400 x 90 mm, 3m high
•    Ground floor application
•    Non-visual grade
•    H1.2 treatment

PLX Portal
•    3 x PLX Portals per two-storey unit
•    1 x Portal: 3.6m wide x 3.0m high (ground floor)
•    2 x Portals: 3.0m wide x 2.4m high (upper floor)
•    Non-visual grade
•    H1.2 treatment

Design tools and support

Log in to the Prolam Specifier for free, fast and compliant structural timber design and specification.
Visit Prolam Architectural to see the full range of visual product and bracing lines.

Render and structural drawing courtesy of Meinhardt (NZ) Pty Ltd.