Category: Hub News

ARC Advance Timber Hub Leads Development of New National Timber Fastener Testing Standard

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

The ARC Research Hub to Advance Timber for Australia’s Future Built Environment (ARC Advance Timber Hub) has played a leading role in the development of FWPA Standard T01 Methods of test for mechanical fasteners and connectors Part 1: Category A & B Fasteners.  Published by the Forest and Wood Products Association (FWPA), Standard T01 provides an updated and reliable framework for testing and determining the characteristic capacities of timber connections. It gives industry up-to-date methods to test how timber joints perform; including nails, screws, bolts and dowels used in sawn timber and engineered wood products.

Research leadership and industry collaboration

FWPA Standard T01 was developed through a FWPA‑funded ARC Advance Timber Hub research project, connected to Hub Project Performance of Building Components – Connection Systems for Extended Building Life, titled “Testing and characterisation of laterally loaded connections made from engineered wood product timber members, joined with steel dowels and bolts”. The project was supported by the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) and undertaken by the ARC Advance Timber Hub at The University of Queensland, School of Civil Engineering.

The research was led by Professor Keith Crews, Director of the ARC Advance Timber Hub, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the technical program and guiding extensive engagement with industry stakeholders, manufacturers, engineers and testing laboratories throughout the development of the standard.

“This important FWPA project commenced just prior to COVID and has involved extensive consultations with industry, as well as peer review both locally and internationally,” Professor Crews said.

“The document has been developed in parallel with a program of full‑scale testing of connections comprised of bolts and dowels, to produce a testing standard that addresses industry needs, represents the state of the art for connection testing, and is extremely useful for end users designing modern timber connections.”

Professor Crews noted that the collaborative approach taken throughout the project was critical to its success.

“The development of this standard ensures that our industry continues to evolve with accurate, up‑to‑date testing methods aligned with international benchmarks. It has been a collaborative effort across research, manufacturing and engineering communities, with stakeholders reviewing and providing feedback to help refine and finalise this essential standard prior to publication.”

The ARC Advance Timber Hub acknowledges Professor Keith Crews’ leadership in advancing this work over the past six years, culminating in a standard that represents a significant step forward for Australia’s timber engineering sector.

Learn more

The FWPA Standard T01 is located on the WoodSolutions website.  The release has been promoted by FWPA and Wood Central, highlighting its importance in strengthening confidence in timber fasteners and connection systems across the industry.

 

Australian Timber Fire Station Showcased in Short Film

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

Last year the ARC Advance Timber Hub celebrated the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station being one of the six winning projects of the Built by Nature Prize 2025. The award highlights the world’s most responsible and innovative timber buildings – and this Australian project stands proudly among them.

As part of the winning prize, each of the Built by Nature awarded projects had a film made demonstrating their innovation and deep alignment with the ‘Principles for Responsible Timber Construction’ – sustainable forest management, life-cycle accountability, carbon storage potential, and the promotion of a timber building bioeconomy. View: Our Future: Built by Nature (2025) six-episode short film series.

The ARC Advance Timber Hub are proud to highlight the Australian Timber Fire Station film, as shown below.

Built by Nature: QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire & Rescue Station

The film focuses on the Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station, providing more background of the project: how it engaged with the local community, overcame preconceptions about fire risk when building with mass timber, and demonstrated opportunities to Government and industry. 

Kim Baber, who features in the film, is the Principal Architect from Baber Studio, He is also an Associate Professor at Bond University and Chief Investigator of the ARC Advance Timber Hub involved in ARC Advance Timber Hub Projects in the Value-Chain Innovation Research Node – 7.1 (Project Leader), 7.2 and 7.4.

UQ School of Civil Engineering Lecturer, Dr SangHyung Ahn, and the Scanner at the top of the Maryborough Fire Tower

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire and Rescue Station stands as an exemplar project of The University of Queensland’s Centre for Future Timber Structures (CFTS). The CFTS worked with Baber Studio, Bligh Tanner, Hutchinson Builders, Hyne Timber, and XLam, to design this Queensland Government market led landmark project showcasing the potential of timber.⁠ The project has helped change industry perceptions and challenge initial concerns over fire safety, illustrating the potential fire safety and sustainable outcomes of timber when used in significant infrastructure.⁠

The CFTS played a key role in the project’s development, including a full 3D scan of the existing structure to inform the design process and expert guidance from the UQ Fire team, which was led by Professor José L. Torero at the time. And during the construction of the project, a moisture monitoring campaign of the innovative CLT building was set up by ARC Future Timber Hub researchers from UQ’s School of Architecture (Dr Paola Leardini) and the QLD Department of Primary Industries’ Forest Product Innovation (FPI) team (Dr Maryam Shirmohammadi and Mr Daniel Field).

Established in 2015, the Centre for Future Timber Structures (CFTS) evolved into the ARC Future Timber Hub (2016–2021) and now the ARC Advance Timber Hub (2022–current) – continuing to drive world-leading research and industry collaboration to advance timber construction in Australia and beyond.

Our Future: Built by Nature (2025)

The six winners form the core of a new film, Our Future: Built by Nature, a new documentary by Open Planet Studios. The film follows the six winning projects and the value chains behind them to understand how change can be achieved in a sector responsible for nearly 40% of global emissions. The films ask a simple but urgent question: “can buildings help restore forests, communities, and ecosystems rather than deplete them?”

Narrated by Kevin McCloud, the film features global perspectives and includes appearances by Sir David Attenborough and COP30 President Marina Silva. The film was launched at the Museum of Art in São Paulo (MASP) on 8 November 2025 and officially premiered at COP30 in Belém.

Gallery images courtesy of Baber Studio. Photography by Christopher Frederick Jones.

PROJECT UPDATE: Hub Research Managing Moisture During Construction and Early Life Stages

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

The ARC Advance Timber Hub Project “Role of Moisture in the Long-Term Performance of Mass Timber Building Elements” is addressing the issue of how moisture affects the durability, mould risk and long‑term performance of timber building elements under Australian conditions.

This project is supported by PhD Candidate, Paulo Silvares, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, whose research is focused on “Integrated Assessment of Hygroscopic Behaviour and Mould Growth in Construction Timber”, under the supervision of Project Leader – Professor Tripti Singh and Project Chief Investigator – Dr Zidi Yan. Paulo updated ARC Advance Timber Hub Stakeholders on the research via a webinar presentation on the 19th May 2026.

Why this research matters

Timber products such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue Laminated Timber (GLT/Glulam) and solid timber elements are often exposed to rain, humidity and temperature fluctuations during transport, storage and construction. Even temporary exposure can result in:

  • Cracking, warping and dimensional instability
  • Increased risk of surface mould growth
  • Aesthetic, health and indoor environment concerns
  • Costly delays, remediation and reputational impacts

These risks are particularly significant in Australian climatic conditions, which are highly favourable for fungal growth.

Project focus and approach

Project focus is on the understanding of how moisture enters, moves through and remains within timber systems, particularly during the construction and storage phase. The research combines:

  • Laboratory testing of moisture uptake, drying behaviour and dimensional stability
  • Accelerated moisture cycling experiments to assess durability and damage mechanisms
  • Evaluation of protective systems, including membranes, tapes and coatings
  • Outdoor exposure trials to compare laboratory results with real environmental conditions
  • In‑situ monitoring, using sensor data from buildings such as the University of the Sunshine Coast Moreton Bay Campus

A key objective is to provide industry with best practice guidelines for moisture management during construction and post-construction.

 Key insights to date

  • No single “safe exposure time” exists
    Timber performance is strongly influenced by humidity, temperature and ventilation. Time‑based assumptions alone are not reliable predictors of mould risk.
  • Protective membranes reduce risk but are not fail‑safe
    Damage during handling and installation, partial coverage and limited breathability can allow moisture to enter and become trapped within timber elements.
  • Timber species drying behaviour can differ
    Radiata pine has shown variable drying behaviour, compared with eucalyptus.
  • Standard test methods adaptation needed
    Existing accelerated ageing methods were not designed for modern membrane‑protected timber systems. Adaptation is required to better reflect realistic construction exposure while still providing meaningful comparative data.

Next steps

The project is now moving from exploratory testing into more refined experimental and predictive stages, including:

  • Ongoing outdoor exposure trials and data comparison
  • Further testing of commercially supplied timber and protection systems
  • Detailed analysis of drying behaviour, shrinkage and moisture retention
  • Development of predictive frameworks to support decision‑making in construction

Industry impact

Ultimately, the project aims to deliver practical, evidence‑based guidance that will help industry:

  • significantly enhance the resilience and longevity of timber buildings by addressing the critical issue of moisture intrusion
  • understand moisture ingress pathways and implications
  • adopt proactive measures for moisture exclusion and management.

PROJECT UPDATE: Industry Led Research Advancing Long Span Timber Floor Performance

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

The ARC Advance Timber Hub is delivering new insights to support the confident use of long span timber and hybrid floor systems in commercial and multi storey buildings.

Through its project Innovative Long Span Timber and Wood Based Hybrid Floors for Vibration Performance and Acoustic Compliance, the Hub is addressing one of the key challenges facing modern timber construction: ensuring floors are comfortable for occupants while meeting vibration and acoustic requirements, particularly as spans increase and structures become lighter.

Professor Hassan Karampour – Griffith University, alongside project PhD Candidate Adam Faircloth, convened a highly engaging and collaborative project team workshop at Northrop Consulting Engineers in Sydney on the 13th of May 2026 to share findings from an integrated program of laboratory testing, field measurements, occupant perception studies and industry engagement.

Key progress to date includes:

  • Testing of multiple long span timber and hybrid floor systems, including CLT, timber–concrete composite, timber–steel hybrids and lightweight joisted systems
  • Measurement of vibration and acoustic performance at different construction stages, from bare structure to fully fitted out and occupied buildings
  • Direct comparison of engineering metrics and human perception of vibration, informing future assessment approaches
  • Identification of practical, low risk design and retrofit strategies to improve floor performance without increasing structural mass

Key technical insights emerging

  1. Real world building performance is critical

Field testing has demonstrated that:

  • Floor vibration performance often improves substantially after fit out, furniture and occupancy are introduced
  • Laboratory only assessments can over predict vibration issues if real building conditions are not considered
  • Performance evolves over the building lifecycle, highlighting the importance of testing at multiple stages
  1. Human comfort does not always align with traditional checks

Studies conducted as part of the project show that vibration measures accounting for duration and cumulative exposure correlate more strongly with occupant feedback. A central finding of the project is the mismatch between:

  • Conventional vibration limits based on peak acceleration, and
  • How occupants perceive comfort and annoyance
  1. Effective performance improvements do not require heavier floors

The project provides strong evidence that vibration and acoustic performance can be significantly improved through targeted, practical interventions, including:

  • Improved connections
  • Access floors and floating floor systems
  • Targeted damping solutions
  1. Vibration and acoustics must be addressed together

The project has confirmed that vibration and acoustic performance in timber floors are inherently linked, particularly in long span and lightweight systems where low frequency behaviour governs both occupant comfort and sound transmission. Footfall induced vibration not only affects perceived floor stiffness and comfort but can also generate structure borne noise, contributing to acoustic non-compliance if not adequately addressed.

Importantly, this project is being delivered in close alignment with the ARC Advance Timber Hub project “Influence of CLT Manufacturing Variables on Vibration and Acoustic Performance,” which investigates how CLT properties and manufacturing parameters affect vibration, acoustics and damping.

Industry relevance and impact

The findings are contributing to the development of evidence-based design guidance and tools that will support engineers, architects and builders in optimising timber floor systems, reducing risk and increasing confidence in long span timber applications.

The outcomes are particularly relevant to commercial offices, education buildings, residential developments and public infrastructure, where occupant comfort and acoustic performance are critical.

Next steps

Over the next phase, the project will focus on:

  • Additional testing of completed and occupied buildings
  • Refinement of vibration and acoustic prediction models
  • Development of clear, practitioner focused design guidance
  • Contribution to future Australian standards, guidelines and best practice documents

Article Promotion

This article has been referenced in the Timber & Forestry ENews 900th Edition on page 11 – New long-span floor research

 

Inala Infill Apartments Wins House of the Year

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

The Inala Infill Apartments, designed by Baber Studio, has been awarded House of the Year at the Australian Institute of Architects 2026 Greater Brisbane Regional Architecture Awards – the highest honour across all residential project categories. Announced on 1 May 2026, the award recognises the project’s leadership in demonstrating best practice in Residential Architecture, and a key part of the project proposal was to advocate for modern low carbon methods of construction, which involved extensive use of cross‑laminated timber (CLT) and lightweight stud framing.

Led by Kim Baber, Principal Architect of Baber Studio and Project Leader / Chief Investigator within the ARC Advance Timber Hub, the project demonstrates how mass timber combined with lightweight timber construction systems using modern methods of construction (MMC) can benefit from off site prefabrication and rapid installation to deliver scalable and climate‑positive housing outcomes -without compromising architectural quality or resident wellbeing.

Key project members include Free-Range Landscape Architects, Hyne Timber and XLam, and Kane Constructions.

“Thank you to the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland for awarding the Inala Infill Apartments Social Housing Project ‘House of the Year’ at the Greater Brisbane Regional Architecture awards. This project was part of the Density and Diversity Done Well program led by the Office of the Qld State Government Architect, with the Qld Department of Housing and Public Works. It demonstrates how good design principles for housing can be made available to the whole of our community. It employs biophilic design through close connection to gardens, dual balconies for cross ventilation, and is built from low carbon mass timber construction. For this it has also received a Brisbane City Council commendation for ‘Buildings that Breathe’.”

— Kim Baber
Principal Architect, Baber Studio | Associate Professor, Bond University | ARC Advance Timber Hub Project Leader

CLT as a viable structural solution for mid‑rise housing

At the core of the project is the use of structural mass timber, with CLT forming the primary floor and roof system. Concrete and steel were deliberately limited to areas where they were functionally unavoidable, such as the ground slab, externally suspended walkways, lift core and select structural external columns. This material substitution reduced total carbon emissions for the project by 173.4 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to taking 37 cars off the road for one year. The entire building required only 2 hectares of forest, which could be regrown in Australian plantation forests in approximately 18 minutes.

The building incorporates approximately 247 m³ of engineered timber, including CLT, glue‑laminated timber (GLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL).

 

Modern methods of construction delivering speed and certainty

Inala Infill Apartments provides a clear example of how MMC and prefabricated timber systems can de‑risk delivery and improve productivity in mid‑rise residential projects. XLam CLT panels, manufactured to precise dimensions using computer numerical control (CNC), minimised waste and enabled rapid on‑site assembly.

A key outcome was construction speed: installation of the CLT floor panels for 6 apartments took just 6 hours, reducing overall construction costs and site disruption. These efficiencies highlight the commercial advantages of mass timber for projects operating under tight budgets and delivery timelines.

 

Biophilic benefits and healthier living environments

Beyond embodied carbon and construction performance, the project demonstrates the health and wellbeing benefits of exposed mass timber. CLT ceilings are left visible throughout the apartments, reducing reliance on plasterboard and paint finishes and significantly lowering volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions at occupation. This contributes to improved indoor air quality and long‑term occupant comfort.

The architectural design integrates biophilic principles through strong visual and physical connections between timber structure and landscape. Courtyards, walkways and close connections to gardens are coordinated with exposed timber surfaces, reinforcing nature‑based relationships and supporting resident wellbeing.

Passive design supporting operational performance

The apartments are configured to maximise passive environmental performance, reducing operational energy demand. Each dwelling includes dual balconies, enabling effective cross‑ventilation and passive cooling. The layout supports “diurnal migration”, allowing residents to move between balconies to occupy cooler areas of the apartment throughout the day and reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

The building is 100% electric, exceeds minimum insulation requirements, and was assessed using NatHERS, confirming performance beyond minimum energy‑efficiency standards. This demonstrates that mass timber and passive design strategies can be effectively combined in real‑world housing delivery.

Responsible timber sourcing and supply‑chain outcomes

All timber used on the project was sourced from Australian Chain of Custody certified plantations, with CLT and GLT supplied by Hyne Group (ARC Advance Timber Hub partner). For every tree harvested, another is planted, ensuring long‑term carbon sequestration and supply continuity. For more info on Hyne’s timber growth and manufacturing process, visit: https://tour.hyne.com.au/

 

A replicable model for industry and government

Recognised as an exemplar by the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works and the NSW Government Architect, the Inala Infill Apartments project has been included in government design guidance for the wider design community and general public. Showcased in the MMC Case Study – Inala Infill Apartments Queensland. It features in the Queensland Social Housing Design Guidelines.

The project has also been incorporated into continuing professional education programs, including the NSW Government Architect’s Talking Homes presentations.

Inala Infill Apartments provides a replicable model for low‑carbon, mid‑rise housing. The project demonstrates that CLT and mass timber are no longer niche solutions, but commercially viable systems capable of delivering speed, certainty, sustainability and social value at scale.

The House of the Year award reinforces a growing industry message: when combined with thoughtful design and modern methods of construction, mass timber can redefine how housing is delivered in Australia – for governments, developers and communities alike.

Further Information

Inala Infill Apartments: https://www.baberstudio.com.au/inala-infill-apartments/

2026 Greater Brisbane Regional Architecture Awards | ArchitectureAu

2026 QLD Regional Award Buildings that Breathe – Australian Institute of Architects

Advance Timber Hub News – April 2026

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

For the latest updates from the ARC Advance Timber Hub, we invite you to read the ADVANCE TIMBER HUB NEWS.

This issue highlights national and international recognition of Hub‑led research, progress across multiple project nodes, and the achievements of our researchers and higher degree by research candidates. Together, these updates reflect sustained momentum across the Hub, including growing contributions to policy, practice and capability building, and strong engagement with industry, government and the broader community.

 

FWPA showcases new pathway to a low-carbon future for Australia

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

ARC Advance Timber Hub partner Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) has released a major new decarbonisation study that highlights the critical role the forest and wood products industry can play in delivering a lower‑carbon future for Australia.

The report, Building a Low-Carbon Future for Australia, developed by Wood Beca, provides a clear, evidence‑based assessment of how targeted operational improvements and greater use of timber in the built environment can significantly reduce emissions across the sector.

The study outlines three possible pathways for the industry. Under a baseline scenario, emissions continue to decline gradually under current practices. A “Beyond Net Zero” pathway demonstrates how targeted operational changes—such as increased use of biomass energy—can accelerate emissions reductions. The most ambitious pathway “Building a Low Carbon Future” combines these operational improvements with increased use of timber in construction, maximising carbon storage and substitution benefits.

Under this scenario, the Australian forest and wood products industry could reach net zero emissions as early as 2029 and go beyond net zero soon after—removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits.

The report highlights how industry, government and partners can work together to turn this opportunity into action, positioning the Australian wood industry as a leader in decarbonisation while supporting sustainable growth and innovation across the built environment.

For more information, please see FWPA News:

Three Future Pathways For Our Industry to Achieve Emission Reductions

 

& download the report:

Building a Low-Carbon Future for Australia

Loggo Has Over Half the World Patented — Now It Needs Partners to Build It

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

ARC Advance Timber Hub partner, Loggo, has been featured in this Wood Central article explaining how their Australian-invented roundwood building system — carrying more than 70 patents across jurisdictions covering more than half the world’s population — is showcased at the International Mass Timber Conference in Portland.

Loggo Has Over Half the World Patented — Now It Needs Partners to Build It

London Goes Vertical — Timber Extensions Add 40% More Space

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

Gianluigi Traetta, Technical Sales Engineer for Rubner Holzbau Srl and a Partner Investigator of the ARC Advance Timber Hub has been quoted in this Wood Central article showcasing how developers are now stacking cross laminated timber panels on top of 1950s concrete buildings, and saving thousands of tonnes of embodied carbon in the process.

London Goes Vertical — Timber Extensions Add 40% More Space

New Research Looks to Underutilised Timber to Address Australia’s Housing Challenge

Posted on by Kelly Rischmiller

New AFWI‑funded research led by The University of Queensland will develop bio‑based construction systems to deliver low‑cost, prefabricated housing and strengthen Australia’s forestry and manufacturing supply chains.

As Australia faces mounting housing affordability and supply pressures, ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Joe Gattas from the University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering is leading a new four‑year national research project exploring how underutilised timber resources could help deliver more affordable, sustainable housing solutions.

This research project is funded by the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) Centre for Sustainable Futures (University of the Sunshine Coast). It aims to unlock new value from Australia’s wood fibre while supporting the delivery of low‑cost, prefabricated buildings. Titled Bio-based Construction Systems for Small-Footprint Dwellings and Multifunctional Outbuildings. 

This project builds on earlier bio-based housing research (see ARC Advance Timber Hub Research Node: Value-Chain Innovation & News: ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators Pioneer Disaster-Proof Timber-Cardboard Housing, Tackling Climate Crisis, and Reducing Bio Waste in NSW) and will develop innovative construction systems for tiny homes, secondary dwellings, and multifunctional outbuildings.

“By rethinking how we use Australia’s existing timber and wood by-products, this project aims to demonstrate that affordable housing solutions can be delivered using locally sourced, low‑embodied‑carbon materials,” Associate Professor Gattas said. “Our focus is on practical, adaptable construction systems that maximise value from underutilised resources, support regional supply chains, and respond to the rapidly growing demand for small-footprint and prefabricated buildings.”

Delivered through a collaboration of university, industry, and government partners, the initiative seeks to strengthen Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, support regional economies, and contribute to a more sustainable and affordable future for the built environment.

For more information please see the AFWI Centre for Sustainable Futures (University of the Sunshine Coast) Project Media Release:

New project to transform timber by-products into affordable, sustainable housing solutions

Wood Central Article:

Turning Thinning’s into Buildings — Australia’s Fix for Tiny Homes


Research Lead: Associate Professor Joe Gattas – University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering

Research partners:
Bond University (Kim Baber), Southern Cross University Andrew Rose), and Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries (Rob McGavin and Thomas Davies)

University of Queensland (UQ) collaborators: UQ School of Civil Engineering (Liam Ottenhaus), UQ School of Architecture, Design and Planning (Mehrnoosh Mirzaei), and UQ School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Dhaval Vyas).

Industry and government partners: Hurford Group, Weathertex, AKD, NSW Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Jowat Adhesives, Container of Dreams, ADG Engineers, Structural Panels Australia (SPA) and Ausco Modular.

Photo: (L-R) Prof. Andrew Rose (Southern Cross University), A/Prof Joe Gatass (UQ Civil Engineering), and PhD Candidate Mahmoud Abu-Saleem  (UQ Civil Engineering) at Lismore prototype exhibition.