Author: Kelly Rischmiller

The project REIMAGINING TIMBER was launched during Melbourne Design Week from the 15th to the 25th of May, at the Level 1 Foyer, RMIT Design Hub. The exhibition featured a small-scale prototype that served as a testbed for a broader agenda under the ARC Advance Timber Hub, Manufacturing Innovation research node exploring the future of timber architecture and structures.

Project Leaders: Dr. Ding Wen ’Nic‘ Bao (RMIT), Dan Luo & Joe Gattas (UQ)
Designers: Nic Bao, Dan Luo & Joe Gattas
Structural Engineering: Nic Bao & Xin Yan
UQ Fabrication Lead: Lingju Wu
UQ Fabrication Team: Asteria Chen, Abbie Lin, Tyler Wang, Zhuoyang Xin
RMIT Fabrication Lead: Jinbang Liang & Parcey Liu
RMIT Fabrication Team: Kun Dai, Rita Lin, Zixin Wang, Amanda Chen, Harlan Guo
Post Production Team: Kang Liu & Kun Dai
Technical support: Ameba Institute of Engineering Structure Optimization & Karamba3D
Academic support: RMIT University RMIT Architecture RMIT College of Design and Social Context & The University of Queensland

This project reimagines out-of-grade timber as a high-performance, customisable structural material through an intelligent design and construction methodology that integrates architecture, computational design, structural engineering, behavioural algorithms, and advanced manufacturing. The project establishes a real-time material processing system that forms a closed-loop feedback mechanism for structural adjustment and adaptive reuse. This approach fundamentally rethinks conventional sequential workflows in architecture and construction.

The exhibition showcased a series of scaled prototypes that explore this methodology, demonstrating its potential for long-span, large-scale timber structures. These prototypes highlight efficient fabrication workflows that leverage discrete assembly techniques, enabling precise construction while fostering closer collaboration between architects and structural engineers. By challenging traditional classification systems and fabrication constraints, the project envisions a future where timber construction is not only materially efficient, but also structurally expressive and technologically integrated.

The Reimagining Timber project was also proudly featured at the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) 2025, held in Brisbane from June 22nd to June 26th. This global event brought together leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals to explore innovative approaches to timber design and construction. Showcasing this project on such a large international platform highlighted its contribution to pushing the boundaries of sustainable architecture and advancing the role of timber in the built environment.

Above image: Nic Bao, Lingju Wu, Tyler Wang, and Abbie Lin.

The ARC Advance Timber Hub is pleased to share a recent Blog from Calvin Jones in relation to ARC Advance Timber Hub Research Node: Socio-Economic Opportunity

Calvin is a Professor at Cardiff Business School, Managing Director at Jones the Numbers and a partner investigator of the ARC Advance Timber Hub.

The ARC Advance Timber Hub are pleased to advise we have a HDR Opportunity available at the University of Tasmania.

Hub Node: Building Performance for Occupants
Hub Project: The bio-hygrothermal performance of mid-rise non-residential timber framed façade systems
Program: PhD
Location: University of Tasmania
Research area: This project aims to explore hygrothermal interactions for advanced wood-product-based mid-rise façade systems. This project will generate new knowledge regarding wood-product based façade system design that adequately manages inward and outward flows of energy and moisture. Knowledge will be generated via computer-based bio-hygrothermal simulation and observations from prototype constructions. Expected outcomes will include new methods to use plantation grown wood products within the façade system of mid-rise buildings in Australia. This will enhance Australia’s architectural, engineering, and construction capabilities to design low embodied energy mid-rise buildings and will significantly benefit the greater use of low-carbon intensive plantation wood products.

Apply prior to 1 August 2025

Link to opportunity:

Hygric principles for mid-rise timber-framed façade systems

The ARC Advance Timber Hub are pleased to advise we have a HDR Opportunity available at The University of the Sunshine Coast.

Hub Node: Performance of Building Components
Hub Project: Role of moisture in the long-term performance of mass timber building elements
Program: PhD
Location: The University of the Sunshine Coast
Research area: Moisture intrusion in mass timber buildings has important implications for both physical performance and risk of biological degradation (Mould and Decay). Mould is a significant issue, and it affects both mass timber and light weight timber systems. This project will build upon previous research to better understand moisture ingress pathways and the implications of wetting on building elements, as well as help identify methods for excluding or removing moisture once it has entered a structure.

Link to opportunity:

Detrimental role of moisture in the long-term performance of building elements

The ARC Advance Timber Hub members are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Colin MacKenzie; a stalwalt of the timber industry in Australia. To learn more about Colin, please view the Timber Queensland tribute to Colin MacKenzie aka ‘The Timber Expert’.

Professor Keith Crews, ARC Advance Timber Hub Director and Chair of the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering, spoke exclusively to Wood Central about the importance of timber in the circular economy.

The ARC Advance Timber Hub are pleased to advise we have a HDR Opportunity available at The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus.

Hub Node: Performance of Building Components
Hub Project: Connection Systems for Extended Building Life
Program: PhD
Location: The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus
Research area: This project aims to create a clear and common understanding in the Australian engineering community around connection design through experimental performance evaluation and development of design guidance.

Please see link to opportunity:

Investigating timber connection performance for extended building life

Six Australian engineers will receive a full pass to the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE), hosted in Brisbane June 22-26, 2025, thanks to the Gottstein Trust—Australia’s national education trust for wood products—which has secured the passes for timber engineers. For more information see Wood Central article below, or click here.

Professor Keith Crews, ARC Advance Timber Hub Director and Chair of the 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering is featured in this Wood Central article on how Queensland has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a Games that offers a lasting legacy not just for Brisbane but all parts of Australia with the use of better timber and smarter design.

WoodSolutions has launched the Australian Timber Design Competition 2025. This national competition challenges the next generation of architects, engineers, and timber specialists to design a hypothetical, sustainable Athletes Village for the Brisbane 2032 Games. 

Who can enter:

• Open to 3rd-year and 4th-year university students in:
  • Engineering
  • Wood science
  • Other timber-focused programs
• Open to Master’s students in:
  • Architecture
  • Related disciplines
• Open to Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students in a related field
• Recent graduates may be considered on a case-by-case basis

Finalists
All the applicants will be judged according to the judging rubric. Up to three finalist teams of four applicants will receive a $1,500 cash bursary to cover travel and accommodation as well as sponsorship for attendance at the World Conference on Timber Engineering 2025 in Brisbane (Including welcome, conference, Gala dinner).

Submission Deadline: 12pm noon (AEST), Friday 2 May 2025 

For more information please see: Australian timber design competition 2025 now open for entries