WoodCentral

📝 Reform the Code — What NZ Must Learn from the US on Timber Buildings! 🚧 As New Zealand and Australia look to the future of construction, it's essential to reform building codes to embrace mass timber - the perfect solution - for mid-rise and high-rise developments. This insight comes from Nate H. founder and CEO of Neutral leading the charge in timber construction in the United States. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Mass Timber Benefits: Helbach emphasises that mass timber not only provides a beautiful biophilic environment for residential buildings but also achieves rental rates that surpass traditional construction. In his experience, buildings constructed with mass timber see premiums of 2-3% for high-rise and 5% for low-rise projects. 2️⃣ Fire Safety and Performance: Contrary to common concerns, fire testing has shown that mass timber is safer for high-rise buildings. The charring process allows wood to burn at a predictable rate, which is advantageous for fire safety personnel during emergencies. 3️⃣ International Standards: The US has successfully implemented different fire ratings for building types using the International Building Code, allowing for mass timber structures to prove their equivalency to steel-and-concrete. This regulatory framework can serve as a model for New Zealand to follow. 🌱 As the push for timber in construction continues, it’s crucial for New Zealand to learn from the advancements made in the US and Europe. Embracing mass timber could revolutionise the way we build and address sustainability in the industry. 🔗 To delve deeper into this topic and hear Nate Helbach's insights, click here: https://lnkd.in/gWkrb2hs 🤔 #questionforgroup: What changes do you think are necessary in New Zealand's building codes to facilitate the adoption of mass timber? How can we overcome the challenges associated with timber construction in high-rise buildings? Mass Timber Focus Group International Mass Timber Conference Clifford (Craig) Rawlings Henri Bailleres Timber Unlimited Arnie Didier Forest & Wood Products Australia WoodSolutions Timber Development Association - NSW #masstimber #sustainableconstruction #newzealand #buildingcodes #neutral #architecture #woodcentral #fireprotection #biophilicdesign

🌳 Australia Has Two New National Standards for Recycled Timber! ♻️ Exciting news for the construction industry as Australia introduces national standards for recycled timber! The release of the Forest & Wood Products Australia Standards G01 and G02 marks a major step forward in using recycled timber products in building projects. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ New Grading Standards: The G02 standard provides a framework for visually grading recycled hardwoods used in flooring, cladding, and decorative products. This is the first standard of its kind in Australia, establishing clear grading requirements that empower purchasers to make informed choices. 2️⃣ Support for the Industry: Boris Iskra, National Codes and Standards Manager for Forest and Wood Products Australia, emphasised that the G02 standard addresses the industry's need for clarity in recycled timber grading, ultimately encouraging greater adoption of recycled materials in construction. 3️⃣ Unified Framework: With G01 focusing on recycled structural timber and G02 on decorative products, these two standards create a cohesive framework that aims to reduce variability in product quality and enhance communication between suppliers and purchasers in the recycled timber sector. 🌱 As we move towards more sustainable building practices, these standards will play a crucial role in fostering innovation and supporting the use of recycled materials in the built environment. 🔗 To learn more about the new national standards for recycled timber, click here: https://lnkd.in/guwA3uw3 🤔 #questionforgroup:How can these new standards impact the future of construction and sustainability in Australia? What additional measures can be taken to promote the use of recycled materials in building projects? #recycledtimber #sustainability #construction #fwpa #australia #woodcentral #greenerbuilding #timberstandards

🏟️ World’s Biggest Timber-Roofed Stadium on Track as Tassie Plans Second Venue! 🪵Development is underway on two Tasmanian new stadium projects - including construction on the world’s largest timber-roofed stadium at Macquarie Point in Hobart. This project will feature a state-of-the-art design using mass timber for roofing, columns, and seating, setting a new standard for sustainable architecture in sports venues. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Complex Planning Process: Despite the challenges of a complex planning process, CEO Anne Beach of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation has confirmed that work is on track. The final planning assessment is set to be submitted to the Tasmanian Parliament for approval later this year. 2️⃣ Stadium Specifications: The fully-domed stadium will utilise a hybrid system of translucent ETFE pillows combined with a 20mm timber laminate and glulam. This design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also promotes structural integrity while being environmentally friendly. 3️⃣ Economic Opportunities: Infrastructure Minister Kerry Vincent emphasised that the stadium is crucial for the Tasmanian Devils AFL team and will create over 3,000 jobs during construction. The project is expected to drive broader economic benefits for Tasmania, highlighting the importance of investing in infrastructure for community growth. 🌟 Alongside the Macquarie Point stadium, Tasmania is also planning a $130 million upgrade to UTAS Stadium in Launceston, which will incorporate extensive mass timber elements in its renovations. 🔗 To learn more about this groundbreaking project and its implications for sustainable construction, click here: https://lnkd.in/gcmnrzkN 🤔 #questionforgroup: How can projects like the Macquarie Point stadium influence the future of sustainable construction in Australia? What role do you see mass timber playing in the development of modern infrastructure? #timberconstruction #sustainability #macquariepoint #tasmania #infrastructure #australia #woodcentral #masslumber #sportsarchitecture

🌳 World Forest Day — How Forests Are Connected to Food Production! 🌍 Today marks the International Day of Forests, a celebration of the vital role forests play in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods around the globe. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012, this day raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Forests and Nutrition: Forests provide a rich source of essential nutrients through nuts, fruits, seeds, and more, supporting the dietary needs of billions. Over five billion people rely on forest and non-timber forest products for food, medicine, and livelihoods. 2️⃣ Support for Agriculture: Forests play a critical role in farming by providing habitats for pollinators, maintaining soil health, and regulating water supplies. They also enhance crop resilience by acting as natural windbreaks and improving rainfall patterns, which are essential for agricultural productivity. 3️⃣ Climate and Water Security: Sustainable forest management contributes to climate change mitigation by storing carbon and enhancing water quality for urban populations. Forested watersheds supply freshwater to over 85% of the world’s major cities, highlighting the interconnectedness of forests and urban food security. 🌱 As we celebrate World Forest Day, it’s crucial to recognise the multifaceted benefits forests offer, from nutrition to climate resilience, and to commit to sustainable practices that protect these invaluable resources for future generations. 🔗 To explore more about the connection between forests and food production, click here: https://lnkd.in/gKY56SBN 🤔 #questionforgroup: How can we better integrate forest conservation with food production strategies to enhance sustainability and food security? What initiatives can communities undertake to promote this vital connection? #worldforestday #sustainability #foodsecurity #forests #nutrition #fa0 #climatechange #woodcentral #biodiversity

🏗️ New 31-Story Timber Skyscraper Breaks Ground in Downtown Milwaukee! 🪵 Construction has officially begun on The Edison, set to become North America’s tallest mass timber tower This development will feature 31 stories of mass timber above an 8-story post-tensioned concrete base and will utilise over 100,000 cubic feet of lumber. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Innovative Design: Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, The Edison aims to deliver a biophilic residential experience, complete with retail space on the ground floor. The project is expected to be completed by 2027 and will include 378 residential units, significantly contributing to Milwaukee's housing market. 2️⃣ Sustainable Construction: The use of mass timber is a key part of Neutral’s mission to create carbon-neutral buildings, with the project estimated to reduce embodied carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to traditional materials. The Edison is set to be a proof of concept for mass timber construction in the US. 3️⃣ Milwaukee as a Timber Hub: As Michael Green, the architect behind a proposed 50-story timber building, notes, Milwaukee is emerging as a leader in sustainable development. The city is embracing innovative timber projects, positioning itself as a model for other urban centres to follow. 🔗 To read more about this pioneering project and its implications for the future of timber construction, click here: https://lnkd.in/eseVm5PU 🤔 #questionforgroup: How can cities leverage timber construction to promote sustainability and innovation in urban development? What are the potential challenges and benefits of this shift in building materials? Mass Timber Focus Group Arnie Didier Clifford (Craig) Rawlings International Mass Timber Conference #timberconstruction #sustainability #Milwaukee #TheEdison #architecture #masslumber #innovation #woodcentral #greenbuilding

🏅 IOC’s ‘New Norms’ — Brisbane’s Plans to Deliver a 6-Star Games! 🌏 As Brisbane gears up for the 2032 Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee – IOC has made a noteworthy decision to allow additional time for venue selection, reflecting the evolving landscape of Olympic planning. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Venue Uncertainty: With the IOC deferring its usual timeline for announcing the sports programme, Brisbane organisers will now have a year longer to evaluate infrastructure plans. Among the confirmed venues is the Chandler Sports Precinct, undergoing a $257 million redevelopment to host various sports, including gymnastics and track cycling. 2️⃣ Sustainable Design Opportunities: Professor Keith Crews, Chair of the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2025), highlighted the unique opportunity for Brisbane to create a lasting legacy through smarter timber design. The focus will be on using cross-laminated and frame timber, ensuring that venues like the Athletes Village can be repurposed into high-value apartments post-Games. 3️⃣ New Norms for Sustainability: The IOC’s "New Norms" aim to make the Games more affordable and sustainable by incorporating measures such as using mass timber, green steel, and recycled materials. Brisbane is targeting a 6-Star Green Star rating for all new or upgraded venues, showcasing its commitment to environmental responsibility. 🌱 As Brisbane sets the stage for the first Games delivered under these transformative norms, the world watches to see how it can build on the legacy of previous host cities while focusing on sustainability and community benefit. 🔗 To learn more about Brisbane’s ambitious plans for the 2032 Olympics and the IOC’s New Norms, click here: https://lnkd.in/ePUANRF8 🤔 #questionforgroup: How can the principles of sustainable construction be effectively integrated into large-scale events like the Olympics? What innovative practices can ensure a lasting positive impact on local communities? Queensland Government Brisbane 2032 #Brisbane2032 #OlympicGames #sustainability #timberconstruction #IOC #NewNorms #woodcentral #infrastructure #communitylegacy

🏠 A $9,200 ‘Tax’ on New Houses — Lumber Tariffs Punish Homeowners! 📉 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is sounding the alarm as builder confidence for newly constructed single-family homes plummets to just 39%. This decline, exacerbated by soaring lumber prices, poses a significant challenge to the housing market and home ownership. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Impact of Tariffs: The uncertainty surrounding tariffs on lumber, drywall, steel, and aluminium has led to an increase of approximately $9,200 in material costs for new homes. Lumber prices have surged by 14.9% over the past year, with specific products like Western spruce-pine-fir and Green Douglas fir experiencing dramatic increases of over 63% and 53%, respectively. 2️⃣ Declining Buyer Traffic: According to the Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, buyer traffic has reached a 15-month low, with significant declines across all major regions. This downturn is putting additional pressure on builders, forcing 29% to lower home prices and more than 59% to offer sales incentives to attract buyers. 3️⃣ Sawmill Capacity Concerns: Recent sawmill closures have resulted in a reduction of North America’s softwood lumber capacity by over 3.1 billion board feet. The NAHB is advocating for policy changes, including cutting tariffs on Canadian lumber and boosting local production, to alleviate pressure on the housing market. 🏗️ As the cost of building materials continues to rise, the NAHB emphasises that changes in softwood lumber prices directly impact the affordability of new homes. Coupled with rising wages for construction workers and increasing interest rates, these challenges threaten to make home ownership even less attainable for many. 🔗 To dive deeper into the implications of lumber tariffs on the housing market and homeowners, click here: https://lnkd.in/gRgbCsYX 🤔 #questionforgroup: What strategies can builders and policymakers implement to mitigate the impact of rising material costs on home affordability? How can we foster a more resilient housing market in the face of these challenges? #housingmarket #lumbertariffs #homebuilders #affordability #construction #nahb #tariffs #woodcentral #woodcentralau1 #realestate #sustainability

🌍 Record Broken — Expo’s Grand Ring is World’s Largest Timber Structure! 🪵 As the World Expo 2025 in Osaka prepares to open on April 13, a new achievement has been recognised: the Grand Ring is now the world's largest wooden architectural structure as recognised by the Guinness World Records. This design promises to showcase the beauty and sustainability of timber construction. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Architectural Icon: Designed by Nendo and Nikken Sekkei Ltd, the Grand Ring symbolizes the cycles of life and invites 28 million expected visitors to experience its unique structure. The modular build is crafted from local Japanese cedar and is intended to be disassembled and repurposed post-Expo, showcasing a commitment to sustainability. 2️⃣ Challenges Ahead: Despite this impressive milestone, reports indicate that only eight out of 47 country-specific pavilions have received certification from the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition. Rising material costs, complex designs, and labor shortages have raised concerns about meeting construction deadlines. 3️⃣ A Shift in Perspective: Renowned architect KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES emphasises the shift from the growth-driven mentality of the 1970 Expo to a more sustainable approach today, focusing on the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. The use of natural materials in the construction reflects a commitment to environmental consciousness. 🔗 To learn more about this groundbreaking achievement and the future of timber construction at the Expo, click here: https://lnkd.in/gUDdzS9r 🗣️ #questionforgroup: How can large-scale events like the Expo promote sustainable building practices globally? What lessons can be applied to future architectural projects? Mass Timber Focus Group Mass Timber Group Clifford (Craig) Rawlings Arnie Didier International Mass Timber Conference Timber Development Association - NSW #timberconstruction #sustainability #worldexpo2025 #Japan #architecture #woodcentral #crosslaminatedtimber #expo #innovation #masstimber #timber #wood #woodcentralau1

Thanks for the repost Clifford (Craig) Rawlings 👏👏👏

🔥 Fire, Country, People: What NSW Can Learn from Cultural Burning 🌿 In a step toward integrating traditional knowledge into bushfire management, the Birpai and Bunyah Local Aboriginal Land Councils are collaborating with Forestry Corporation of NSW. This initiative aims to weave cultural burning practices into government-controlled bushfire management programs, enhancing resilience and sustainability in the region. 🔍 **Key Highlights:** 1️⃣ Cultural Burning Integration: The partnership seeks to combine the ancient practices of cultural burning, which have been utilized for over 60,000 years, with contemporary firefighting techniques. This integration is designed to improve bushfire management and community resilience, especially in light of increasing fire threats. 2️⃣ Training Initiatives: A fire training camp held at Guulabaa – the Place of Koala in Cowarra State Forest, is part of the "Fire, Country and People" project funded by the Australian Government. Fireground, a fire and incident management specialist, is providing on-the-ground training to local Aboriginal community members, equipping them with essential firefighting skills. 3️⃣ Addressing Legal Barriers: Recent research highlights the legal barriers that hinder the implementation of cultural burning practices. The report led by experts calls for changes in laws to better recognize and support Aboriginal fire management techniques, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of how legislation can be adjusted to facilitate these vital cultural practices. 🔗 To learn more about this groundbreaking project and its implications for bushfire management in NSW, click here: https://lnkd.in/gDy2gReV 🤔 #questionforgroup: How can we further incorporate indigenous knowledge into modern environmental management practices? What steps can be taken to remove barriers to cultural practices that benefit ecosystems and communities? #culturalburning #bushfiremanagement #indigenousknowledge #sustainability #forestry #NSW #landmanagement #woodcentral #resilience #environmentalpolicy