Commercial Office Lobby
The Mahitala
Long-Span Engineered Walnut Louver System for High-Exposure Commercial Interiors
Architect
Studio Andra Matin
year
2018
location
Tangerang, Indonesia
size
515 m²
The Brief
Project Overview
The Mahitala Office Lobby required uninterrupted 4-meter vertical timber louvers within a high-visibility commercial arrival space. Woodlam engineered a structurally stable LVL core wrapped in American Walnut veneer to achieve seamless vertical rhythm without visible joints.
This project validated long-span engineered timber detailing within a concrete-dominant commercial office environment.
Objective
The objective was to deliver:
• 4-meter vertical louvers with no visible horizontal joints
• Continuous walnut wall panels with controlled grain alignment
• Clean installation within a high-exposure commercial lobby
• Structural stability over long vertical spans in a conditioned interior
The design intent required uninterrupted vertical geometry without tolerance errors or veneer inconsistency.
The Constraints
Seamless 4-Meter Vertical Elements
The specification required louvers extending to 4 meters in height without horizontal breaks. Solid hardwood at this length increases the risk of warping and surface instability over time.
An engineered structural solution was required to maintain straightness and load stability across the full vertical span.
High-Exposure Commercial Zone
As the primary arrival space, the lobby is viewed at close range. Any veneer mismatch, joint deviation, or surface irregularity would be immediately visible.
Fabrication tolerances and veneer matching required strict quality control.
Integration with Existing Concrete Structure
Timber elements had to integrate into an established concrete and steel framework. Concealed anchoring systems were required to maintain clean sightlines while ensuring secure attachment.
The Engineering
Engineered LVL Structural Core
The 4-meter vertical louvers were constructed using Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) as a structural core. LVL is manufactured by laminating thin wood veneers under controlled pressure to achieve dimensional stability and load consistency.
Compared to solid timber, LVL significantly reduces the risk of warping and movement in long-span vertical applications.
Walnut Veneer Application
American Walnut veneer was applied over the LVL core to achieve a refined architectural finish while preserving structural stability.
Veneer selection and grain sequencing were carefully controlled to maintain visual continuity across adjacent louvers and wall panels.
Precision Fabrication
Each louver was prefabricated to full 4-meter height before delivery. Joint locations were eliminated to avoid horizontal interruption in the vertical rhythm.
Fabrication tolerances were tightly managed to maintain consistent alignment across the lobby wall plane.
Concealed Fixing System
Mechanical fixings were integrated into the backing structure and concealed within the assembly. This maintained uninterrupted vertical lines while ensuring secure attachment to the concrete substrate.
The fixing strategy prevented visible distortion at connection points and preserved the architectural restraint of the space.
The Products and Materials
The Results and Insights
Continuous 4-Meter Vertical Rhythm Achieved
The completed installation delivered seamless 4-meter louvers without visible horizontal joints, maintaining uninterrupted vertical geometry across the lobby.
Dimensional Stability Through Engineered Core
The LVL structural core ensured long-span straightness and controlled performance within a climate-conditioned interior environment.
Commercial-Grade Precision
Tight fabrication tolerances and controlled veneer matching eliminated visible misalignment, supporting the architectural clarity of the lobby’s restrained design language.
Expanded Engineered Interior Capability
The project strengthened Woodlam’s expertise in long-span interior timber systems, particularly engineered louver fabrication and hardwood veneer integration within commercial environments.
Location
Tangerang, Indonesia
Jl. Alam Utama No.6, Alam Sutera, Serpong Banten, 15143 INDONESIA
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question unanswered? Speak to our team.
What is LVL and why was it used for the louvers?
Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is an engineered wood product made by bonding thin wood veneers under pressure. It provides greater dimensional stability than solid timber, making it suitable for long vertical elements such as 4-meter louvers.
Why not use solid American Walnut for 4 m louvers?
Solid hardwood at 4 m increases the risk of warping and dimensional instability over time. Using an LVL structural core wrapped in walnut veneer achieves visual continuity while maintaining long-term structural straightness and alignment control.
Was Woodlam responsible for the entire building structure?
No. Woodlam’s scope was limited to the lobby interior finishes, including walnut wall panels and engineered LVL louvers.
Is this type of engineered timber louver system scalable to other commercial interiors in Indonesia?
Yes. Engineered LVL cores combined with hardwood veneers can be applied to office lobbies, hospitality spaces, and retail environments where long-span, high-precision timber detailing is required.