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.
Category: Hub News
WoodSolutions Australian Timber Design Competition finalists will receive a bursary to attend the World Conference on Timber Engineering
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
Calling Australian Engineers – unique opportunity to attend the World Conference on Timber Engineering
A unique opportunity has been unveiled with The Gottstein Trust offering six fully paid conference places at the upcoming World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE), being held in Brisbane from the 22nd to 26th June 2025.
These conference scholarships are made available for Australian engineers in the early stage of their professional career.
Further details and the application form are found on the website. Applications will close at midnight on March 30th and can be lodged anytime before then, through the online form.
The Gottstein Trust is delighted to support the significant global conference as it comes to Australia, and expects that competition for the six WCTE Gottstein scholarships will be strong.
New & Improved Timber-Cardboard Panels Are a Lifesaver for Disaster Zones
Great to see more media coverage of the research that Mahmoud Abu-Saleem and ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Joe Gattas are leading. The publication the media coverage is referring to is titled “Timber-Cardboard Web-Core Sandwich Panels for Lightweight Housing Applications” (TCWS) and has been published in the Q1-ranked “Structures” journal. This open-access article can be accessed at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352012425001298?via%3Dihub
Global Collaboration on Timber Innovation: Enhancing Urban Resilience Through Wood
In May 2023, the University of Queensland hosted a local workshop focused on the theme “Urban Transition with Wood for Enhanced Resilience of Cities and Forests.” The event explored how timber can play a crucial role in the transformation of urban environments to improve sustainability and resilience. Building on the discussions and insights from this workshop, Australian representatives travelled to Japan in November 2024 to participate in a series of global workshops organized by the Tohoku Forum for Creativity.
The Australian delegation included ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators – Dr Lisa Ottenhaus and Kim Baber from the University of Queensland, Mick Stephens and Clarissa Brandt from Timber Queensland, Kevin Peachey from Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA), and Travis Wacey from the CFMEU. The workshops were held across multiple locations in Japan and brought together an international group of researchers, students, and industry professionals.
Presentations and discussions were led by experts from prestigious institutions such as Tohoku University, Okayama University, Chalmers University of Technology, Technical University of Dresden, the University of Canterbury, and the University of Auckland. Kyoto University also contributed to the dialogue. A broad range of perspectives on timber-based urban development were shared, including those from timber processors, manufacturers, industry associations, architects, and engineers.
Participants also had the opportunity to visit various sites, including iconic timber structures designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma. Other notable visits included native and plantation forests, a biomass plant, and the Meiken Lamwood CLT (cross-laminated timber) factory. A particularly poignant visit was to the de Sendai 3/11 Memorial Community Center and the ruins of buildings destroyed by the 2011 tsunami, which underscored the importance of resilience in both urban design and disaster recovery.
The series of workshops concluded with a collaborative session that identified timber education and research as key areas for future synergy and growth. Following the workshops, the Australian delegation continued their study tour in Tokyo, where they met with industry stakeholders and toured several notable timber structures, including the Ariake Gymnastic Centre in Tokyo, designed by Nikken Sekkei.
The conversations and collaborations initiated during these workshops will continue to evolve, with a significant follow-up event scheduled for the World Conference on Timber Engineering in 2025. This global exchange highlights the growing importance of timber in creating resilient, sustainable urban futures and emphasizes the potential for continued international cooperation in this field.
For more information about the Tohoku Forum for Creativity’s Future Society Design Program, visit their website.
GREENable HIRUZEN pavilion, which was design for the Tokyo Olympics and deconstructed and relocated to Hiruzen-Kogen Highlands in Maniwa (Okayama prefecture). Designed by Kengo Kuma
ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators Pioneer Disaster-Proof Timber-Cardboard Housing, Tackling Climate Crisis, and Reducing Bio Waste in NSW
Researchers find a new way to create higher-value timber products from Northern NSW’s State Forests.
Led by Mahmoud Abu-Saleem, Andrew Rose from Southern Cross University and ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators – Associate Professor Joe Gattas, Kim Baber, from the University of Queensland and Dr Fabiano Ximenes from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the systems are designed to maximise value creation and carbon sequestration across the entire building lifecycle.
Please see the compiled media reports on the bio-based housing showcased recently in Lismore below. To view Poster Presentation click here.
Online Articles
Wood Central – https://woodcentral.com.au/disaster-proof-timber-cardboard-housing-could-save-lives-in-nsw/
Inside Waste https://www.insidewaste.com.au/cardboard-house-a-post-disaster-housing-solution/
Australian Design Reviewhttps://www.australiandesignreview.com/architecture/projects-architecture/pioneering-housing-solution-tackles-post-disaster-shelter-needs/
Building Connection https://buildingconnection.com.au/2024/12/03/sustainable-cardboard-homes-could-become-resource-efficient-temporary-solution/
TV
NBN TV News – watch: https://www.nbnnews.com.au/2024/12/03/sustainable-housing-project-gives-new-life-to-waste-products/
- North Coast
- Central Coast
- Gold Coast
Radio
ABC North Coast – Breakfast program – interview with Andrew Rose 4th December. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/northcoast-breakfast/breakfast/104670798 (36:30 to 38:30 and 1:05:00)
ABC Newcastle – Breakfast program – interview with Joe Gattas UQ 4th December. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/newcastle-mornings/mornings/104670764 (12:40 to 20:30 minutes)
ABC Victoria – Victorian Statewide Mornings – interview with Joe Gattas UQ 11th December. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/vic-statewide-mornings (to appear tomorrow)
News Articles
Lismore App preview story https://lismoreapp.com.au/NewsStory/sustainable-cardboard-homes-a-post-disaster-housing-solution/67495a2862fd73002e0afacb
Lismore App – https://lismoreapp.com.au/NewsStory/reinventing-house-structure-bio-based-design/6750454ec02f80002d6e1e10
Northern Star / Daily Telegraph – https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lismore/southern-cross-university-part-of-pioneering-cardboard-homes-emergency-housing-project/news-story/028bebcdc4de5144dc8a8068ad29492b
Videos
SCU Project Video and Timelapse “Tiny sustainable house gets a big welcome in Northern Rivers” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKzs3ZELfWY
SCU Project Promotion Video “Sustainable ‘cardboard’ homes: a post-disaster housing solution?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmYQS6I1XqM
Hub CI completes Gottstein International Fellowship on Moisture Management in Mass Timber Buildings
ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigator, Dr. Maryam Shirmohammadi, has recently completed an international fellowship study tour across Europe and Singapore, funded by the Gottstein Trust, where she focused on “Mass Timber Buildings Moisture Monitoring and Management.” This research, part of her ongoing work, aims to create a global network of experts in timber engineering and moisture safety, advancing knowledge and best practices in the field. The fellowship allowed for a comparative study of various building types, design approaches, and climate conditions.
Dr. Shirmohammadi’s research focuses on identifying processes and strategies to reduce moisture exposure risks while promoting optimal conditions for timber products throughout their lifecycle—from manufacturing and transportation to storage, construction, and long-term use. During her travels, she engaged with a wide range of professionals, including research teams, laboratories, R&D groups, university scholars, industry experts, building assessors, and associations. These interactions focused on both established and emerging techniques for designing timber products that can withstand moisture-related challenges.
Looking forward, Dr. Shirmohammadi plans to visit experts in the United States and Canada. This next phase of her research will further enhance her expertise in building science and broaden her understanding of the timber product lifecycle, particularly in diverse environmental conditions.
Dr. Shirmohammadi is project leader for the ARC Advance Timber Hub Project: Development of moisture monitoring, assessment and management systems for the Australian mass timber construction industry
The Gottstein Fellowship is a grant that is awarded to people who work within, or associated with, the Australian wood products and forest industries. This may be anywhere at all on the value chain. A fellow is funded to conduct a research project which they have put forward. Most projects entail international travel or domestic travel.
Driving Research Excellence
The ARC Advance Timber Hub, a key player in the sustainable timber and forestry research sector, is proud to announce its inclusion in the Queensland Science Capability Directory. This listing marks a significant step forward in promoting the Hub’s cutting-edge research, technological expertise, and industry-leading capabilities to a wider audience, both in Australia and internationally.
The Queensland Science Capability Directory is a comprehensive resource that highlights the state’s leading research institutions, laboratories, and innovation hubs. By being featured in this prestigious directory, The ARC Advance Timber Hub joins a network of forward-thinking organisations committed to advancing scientific knowledge and solving key challenges facing industries today.
By leveraging the Queensland Science Capability Directory listing, the Hub will expand its partnerships, foster collaboration, and continue delivering impactful research that meets the needs of modern industries.
To view the Hub’s listing, please visit the Queensland Science Capability Directory’s official website at:
https://science.desi.qld.gov.au/research/capability-directory/advance-timber-hub/
Exploring Timber’s Future: From Forest to Fibre – Sustainable Innovation in Action
Coinciding with a new exhibition at Hervey Bay Regional Gallery “Forest to Fibre: FCRC Hardwood Plantation (21 Sept to 17 Nov 2024)”, on the 2nd of October, the Harvey Bay Regional Gallery will be hosting the Timber Future: From Forest to Fibre event. Supported by the ARC Advance Timber Hub, this event forms part of the Value-Chain Innovation Node research, with ARC Advance Timber Hub investigators, Kim Baber and Dr. Bill Leggate presenting alongside presenters from Timber Queensland, Workforce Australia and Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC). It will include a detailed background on the timber pavilion and will conclude with a tour a native hardwood plantation, offering attendees an in-depth look at the innovative timber processing and its significance within the forestry value chain.
This event will not only celebrate the rich history of timber in the Fraser Coast but also sets a clear path forward for sustainable timber practices, positioning timber as the ultimate renewable material. Whether you’re a student interested in entering the timber industry or a professional looking to connect with experts in the field, Forest to Fibre offers something for everyone.
The Event is free and open to the public and proudly supported by the ARC Advance Timber Hub, The University of Queensland, Timber Queensland, Workforce Australia, Canopy, State Library of Queensland, Fraser Coast Regional Council and the Queensland Government
For more information see https://www.advance-timber-hub.org/event/forest-to-fibre-timber-futures/
Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework
The QLD Government announced a $200m Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework on the 26 June 2024 including release of the terms of reference.
The Framework will be developed in partnership with stakeholders by mid-2025. It will present a 30-year plan to grow jobs, protect forest values and balance the many ways Queensland’s forest estate is used.
Development of the Framework will be supported by a Timber Stakeholder Advisory Group with representation from the timber industry, forestry experts, conservation sector, First Nations peoples, the Australian Workers’ Union, construction sector and outdoor recreational groups.
The ARC Advance Timber Hub is mentioned on page 6 of the Terms of Reference as part of the QLD Government’s work with stakeholders to determine key areas for supply chain development and optimisation to respond to Queensland’s priorities in housing and infrastructure, including establishing a Timber Supply Chain 2035 Strategy.