ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigators A/Prof Kim Baber, Dr Lisa Ottenhaus and  A/Prof Joe Gattas,  recently represented Australia’s timber research community at the Australian Pavilion during the Osaka World Expo 2025 in Japan.

As part of the Pavilion’s Sustainability Week program, the team presented their work on sustainable and decarbonised construction, sharing insights into how timber innovation and design strategies can support a more sustainable built environment. Their presentations explored how approaches to decarbonising the construction industry differ across Australian and Japanese contexts and highlighted opportunities for future collaborative research.

The group, which also included Clarissa Brandt from Timber Queensland, participated in a series of presentations and panel sessions that brought together industry and academic leaders from both countries. This exchange was supported by the Australian Japan Foundation. 

During their time in Japan, the team also had the opportunity to visit several notable Japanese timber structures and national pavilions at the Expo, gaining valuable insights into contemporary timber architecture and design approaches.

The Osaka World Expo 2025 has been a major international event that has brought together nations, researchers, and innovators under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The Expo has provided a global platform for showcasing new ideas, technologies, and collaborations that aim to address sustainability challenges and shape a better future.

ARC Advance Timber Hub is proud to see its researchers contributing to this important global conversation and representing Australia’s leadership in timber innovation and sustainable construction.