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This is a New England design competition for engineered timber or massive timber building systems. If you know of any timber specific design competitions or projects, please contact us. Note that this competition is restricted to current engineering, architecture or design students or graduates within the last ten years.

Lack of relevant knowledge is often cited as the main reason why architects, engineers, building designers and other construction professionals don't design and specify the use of more timber. Similarly, many in the wood and wood products industry lack the depth of knowledge to adequately advise design and build clients. This course is a welcome addition to the career development options of both groups.

With most of the news stories about cross laminated timber (CLT) focussing on how big and how high, it's easy to forget that CLT panels can be a simple substitute for the well known and used tilt slab concrete construction system. Here's an example:

WoodSolutions Tutorials have proved popular among architects, building designers, engineers and other building professionals. Now, WoodSolutions is partnering with the Building Designers Association of Victoria to offers a dedicated Masterclass series.

WoodSolutions Tutorials are informative, inspiring ways to increase your knowledge of wood and wood products - and gain CPD or CPE points. Written by specialists for architects, engineers, building designers and other building professionals, the monthly Tuesday Tutorials are presented by the Timber Development Association.

The Universities of Auckland, Canterbury and Technology, Sydney (backed by a consortium including FWPA) have now completed a 5 year collaborative research program into new timber systems for commercial buildings. The result is a range of world leading new timber technology suitable for large span commercial, industrial and residential buildings. New timber systems include post stressed beam and frame systems, large span floors, roof systems and new timber connectors.

The CREE system is a hybrid timber construction system that aims to minimise the use of energy and resources over the life of the structure. It's a modular system said to be suitable for a wide range of applications. Read more or download an information brochure by following the link below.

When the devastating twin earthquakes shook Christchurch, one of the iconic buildings to topple in February 2011 was the 19th Century cathedral. Today, the original cathedral site is still rubble, while a 'temporary' structure of 96 LVL reinforced cardboard tubes, polycarbonate sheeting and 8 shipping containers is rising nearby.

Some structures achieve iconic status after years of use, others upon completion, yet some, such as the Barentshus Tower achieve a degree of fame before they are even built. First announced in 2010, the Barentshus Tower apparently remains firmly on the drawing board.

Vancouver architect Michael Green, a leading proponent of wood, has designed what will be North America’s tallest wood-framed building, in Prince George, northern British Columbia. Michael has toured Australia as a keynote presenter at WoodSolutions Seminars.

An extension of the University of Tasmania's School of Architecture & Design, the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood, (CSAW) grew out of the School’s successful Timber Research Unit and is active in research and education.

When most people think of engineered timber building systems, CLT is probably the first thing that comes to mind. There are however a range of other exciting options in use around the world. This X-Lam project is an excellent example of a multi-residential housing project.

Shigeru Ban is principal of Japan's Shiregu Ban Architects and Professor of Art and design at Kyoto University. He has won international acclaim an many awards for his works in wood and wood products - including cardboard.

The development, which is designed by Anderson Bell & Christie, is a flagship project funded by the Scottish Government to demonstrate the suitability of mass timber structure and the benefits of renewable technologies.

As part of informing and inspiring design and building professionals, WoodSolutions supports a range of activities, including field trips. This is an outstanding opportunity to discover EXPAN - and exciting new development in timber construction.

TimberLife, the timber service life software, is an educational resource designed to provide estimates of timber service life performance.

Wood as a material is all pervasive, yet it's easy to concentrate on one application to the detriment - or ignorance - of others. In WOOD: art design architecture Adelaide's Jam Factory has embarked on an ambitious project to bring together a range of uses of wood in a travelling exhibition.

Forte Apartments built by Lendlease in the Victoria Harbour precinct of Melbourne's Docklands are the first step in an visionary plan to use engineered timber in a wide range of residential structures in the area. The reclaimed silty soils and deep bedrock make this particularly suitable for lightweight construction.

The Australian Timber Design Awards has been honouring excellence in timber design for fourteen years. Entry is open to architects, builders, designers, engineers, interior designers and landscape architects. Categories cover all major applications, small budget projects, sustainability, a People's Choice Award and a Rising Star Award.

The 2nd International Conference on Timber Bridges which is to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in autumn 2013. ICTB-2013 follows the successful inaugural event that was held in 2010 at Lillehammer, Norway.

Like our own Australian Timber Design Awards, the US Wood Design Awards celebrate excellence in wood design, engineering and construction, as well as innovative projects that showcase attributes of wood such as strength, beauty, versatility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. From 100-foot roof spans to novel reclaimed wood installations, the winners of the 2013 National Wood Design Awards push the envelope in wood design.

The current popularity of cross laminated timber (CLT) is overshadowing some interesting advances in heavy timber composites. From timber and concrete to timber and steel, there are some fascinating projects that could deliver some innovative structural options.

From a country renowned for craftsmanship in wood, come inspiring timber designs guaranteed to get every architect, designer and engineer thinking - "How did they do that?"

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