News & Events

As a part of collaboration between UQ’s Future Timber Hub (Dr Paola Leardini) and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (Dr Maryam Shirmohammadi), a research project has been commenced to monitor moisture behaviour of the newMaryborough Fire Station

Professor Keith Crews, from The University of Queensland, who is Director of the Centre for Future Timber Structures has been featured in this recent article about how companies that are looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions are turning to mass timber as a climate and building solution.

The ARC Future Timber Hub is pleased to advise that we are featured, on page 12, in the 2020-2021 edition of 'Making a Difference - Outcomes of ARC supported research'. This is an annual publication produced by the ARC that demonstrates how ARC supported research is making a real difference to Australia and the world.

Each edition is a snapshot of the outstanding research outcomes derived from research projects funded by the Australian Government through the ARC’s National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP).

The ARC Future Timber Hub is pleased to advise that Hub researchers have been highlighed in this article in Timber & Forestry Enews, issue 670. Professor Keith Crews - Chair of the Centre for Future Timber Structures, Marcus Strang - UQ/Hub PhD candidate, and Dr Paola Leardini - Hub CI and senior lecturer in architecture at UQ are featured on page 11.  Paola and Marcus' Hub project is "Pathways to Net Zero Energy for Engineered Wood Multi-storey Buildings in Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates [eWoodZEB]".

Congratulations to Marcus Strang on being one of only three Australian Passive House Certifiers.  Marcus, a Hub PhD candidate, is a researcher on Hub project "Pathways to Net Zero Energy for Engineered Wood Multi-storey Buildings in Australian Tropical and Sub-Tropical Climates [eWoodZEB]".

Timber building materials produced from sustainably-grown local plantations and the benefits this brings to reducing carbon output are the thrusts of prize-winning projects by four University of Queensland students, two from the School of Civil Engineering and two from the School of Architecture.
Duncan Hossy and William Webster were awarded Responsible Wood Civil Engineering prizes for Excellence in Timber Design for two bridges at the Brisbane Valley Adventure Rail Trail.  Dylan Francis and Simin Louei were awarded the Responsible Wood Architectural Prize for Excellence in Timber Design for their research paper and model on the construction of a fire observation tower in the Brisbane Valley region. 

The Centre for Future Timber Structures (CFTS) / Future Timber Hub (FTH) held a Strategic Collaborative Workshop on the 15 April 2021 which was attended by the ARC Future Timber Hub's current Project Leaders, Industry Partners and Institutional Partners, along with representatives from other major national universities and industry.  The purpose of the Workshop was to bring Academics and Industry together to define the research needs in Australia and the Pacific Region.  50% of the 90 plus attendees were from Industry which highlights the want (and need) for further research in the use of Timber in the Construction Sector. 

The Queensland Government have announced they will be building the replacement, state-of-the-art Maryborough Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Complex from Hyne Timber engineered timber solutions. The UQ Centre for Future Timber Structures (CFTS) and the ARC Future Timber Hub are proud to be involved in getting this project off the ground.

In February 2021 the ARC Future Timber Hub completed a highly successful Research Showcase.  This was a series of lunchtime webinars on each Hub project which showcased its research and partners facilities. To view the recordings please visit futuretimberhub.org.