Slated to open later this year, the $1.45 billion, 39-storey ‘plyscraper’ will eventually contain more than 30,000 cubic metres of timber — shipped by European giants Stora Enso and Wiehag — across 21 storeys of the tower, with seven four-storey’ timber habitats’ sandwiched between steel-and-concrete mega floor plates above a seven-storey concrete podium.

And the glass panels going up are anything but conventional.

Spanish BIPV manufacturer Onyx Solar — working through Australian building products supplier Metz — is installing 1,794 crystalline silicon solar louvres across the tower’s active facade as part of a bespoke 247 kWp system. Speaking to PV Magazine Australia earlier this month, Onyx Solar revealed that each unit carries 28 mono-crystalline cells in a 4+4 mm glass configuration and produces 138 Wp at peak output. “The louvres also form a self-shading system that cuts direct solar heat gain internally,” Onya Solar said, turning the tower’s skin into a “vertical power source.”

Designed by BVN and New York-based SHoP, each ‘habitat’ comprises four floors of timbered space stacked inside a steel exoskeleton, eliminating the need for internal columns. “The timber floors are connected to the concrete floors via drag straps,” said Tim Allen, timber structural lead for TTW, who spoke at Timber Construct — Australia’s only timber construction conference — in late 2024. “Why build a 39-storey building partly out of timber?” Allen said. “Because it comes down to using the right timber for the right application.”

Whilst in October last year, Peter Morley, the Dexus project director overseeing the build, said the team had “broken the back on the most technical, structural phase of the project,” with the hybrid timber approach allowing the developers “to bring the building up quicker and get the façade on quicker than a more traditional build.”

“That’s because we’re jumping up five levels every time, and while we’re going up, we’re coming back and infilling with the timber within each of those five-storey zones,” Morley said. Atlassian Central is co-owned by Dexus and Atlassian, with Built and Japanese construction giant Obayashi appointed as builders, confirming the building remains “on schedule” for a 2026 opening, with the tech giant expected to take over five of the seven habitats in late 2028 following a full fit-out.

At street level, crews are also well advanced on a new pedestrian connection from Railway Colonnade Drive to the Devonshire Street Tunnel entrance — the heritage passage running beneath Central Station between Lee Street and Devonshire Street — which will, for the first time, allow pedestrians to access the tunnel directly from the colonnade as part of Central’s broader Third Square redevelopment.

“Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do apart from deal with asbestos when you find it to ensure that you’re providing a safe workplace and a safe building going forward,” according to Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes, who spoke to ABC Melbourne Radio, who confirmed that the bill sits with the government and not the Australian Grand Prix Corporation under its contract with F1 rights holder Liberty Media.

Last month, Wood Central reported that the new building will include a striking timber waffle roof design — joining a growing roster of F1 facilities swapping steel and concrete for hybrid cross-laminated timber systems. Renders produced by Woods Bagot show a massive roof that will eventually shelter 14 F1 team garages.

“What excites us most about this design is how it elevates both elite motorsport and grassroots community sport under one roof,” said Woods Bagot Director Bruno Mendes, the project’s design lead. “We’ve engineered a facility that doesn’t just host one of the world’s premier racing events — it actively gives back to the local sporting community every day of the year.”

Inside the canopy, race control suites, media workrooms and administration offices sit alongside the garages, with expansive hospitality terraces framed by CLT beams and full-height glazing offering circuit and lake views for 5,000 Paddock Club guests. When Grand Prix teams pack up each year, the complex converts into a community sporting hub with seven indoor courts and clubrooms for local football, netball and basketball clubs.

Delivered by a consortium of AECOM, Icon and Woods Bagot, the redevelopment draws on the same team behind the award-winning T3 Collingwood — Melbourne’s tallest hybrid timber office building, also built by Icon.

Drawing record attendance, the Treasurer was happy to spruik the benefits of hosting the race: “I can point to the fact that the Grand Prix is a major economic contributor to the state and I know that many people are going to get along to that race this weekend,” she said. “It fills beds in hotels and people going out for dinner, and it keeps everyone busy, and it supports thousands of jobs.”

As for the existing building, constructed in 1995, Wood Central understands that full demolition is slated to begin days after Sunday’s race, with the new facility scheduled for completion ahead of the 2028 Grand Prix.

• To learn more about Melbourne’s Formula 1 Pit Lane building, one of Australia’s largest timber projects in development, click here for Wood Central’s special feature from last month.

Tan Peng Juan, president of the Malaysian Timber Association, told the Daily Express Malaysia that he had serious concerns over attempts by the European Union and the United States to propose the inclusion of tropical timbers under Appendix II of CITES at the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20). Those proposals were ultimately not tabled, but he said it has sent the Malaysian industry scrambling to prepare for what many expect will be a second attempt.

Shorea species, traded as meranti, seraya and balau, underpin Malaysia’s tropical timber value chain and are processed into sawn wood, veneer sheets, panels and plywood. And whilst an Appendix II listing would not ban the trade outright, it would impose new permit requirements, documentation and compliance costs, enough to dramatically slow the flow of Shorea-based products into markets at a time when the industry is already being squeezed.

In a letter to Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad last year — written by then-MTA president George Yap  — the association warned that “CITES regulations must also consider socio-economic impacts” and pledged to assist the government in preparing “technical and socio-economic counterarguments” while rallying support from regional bodies.

That letter also pointed out that “deforestation in Malaysia is driven by multiple factors, including urban development and population growth, rather than timber production alone,” describing the EU and US approach as disproportionate and urging Malaysia to present “a compelling case against the broad-brush proposal.”

It comes as Wood Central reported last year that Malaysia’s timber sector was already being hit from three sides — a domestic Sales and Service Tax (SST) that has pushed operational costs up by an estimated 8–12%, Trum’s tariffs dampening export volumes, and the since delayed (and water downed) EUDR resulting in a compliance quagmire for traders into global markets.

At the time, Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, told more than 400 attendees at a Timber Exporters’ Association of Malaysia (TEAM) event: “Although export products aren’t directly taxed, rising production costs are starting to erode Malaysia’s long-standing export strength.”

The CITES proposal adds an entirely new layer.

Wood Central understands that the push to list Shorea is not driven solely by conservation. In March last year, the US-based Hardwood Federation wrote to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lobbying for both Shorea and Apitong to be added to the CITES list — arguing that “protecting Apitong is crucial for environmental conservation and maintaining international trade sustainability.”

However, the real aim, according to the Malaysians, was to promote American Red oak as a potential replacement for Southeast Asian imports in a variety of local industries, including the US military supply chain.

Wong Kar Wai, treasurer of TEAM, was direct about it at the Export Furniture Exhibition 2025. “Keruing is a special type of timber primarily used for floorboards, with the US being its main market. A major buyer is the US military, which uses Keruing for the flooring of trucks and tanks due to its durability and strength,” Wong told SunBiz. “However, the US is now looking to rely more on its local timber, particularly Red oak.”

“As a result, there are discussions about placing Keruing under CITES, which could further restrict its trade and impact exporters, particularly from Malaysia,” he said — adding that “despite being sustainably harvested and certified, Shorea and Apitong face potential trade restrictions under the guise of conservation.”

Last year, Wood Central reported that the US Department of Defence had already developed a Red oak-based trailer decking prototype to replace Keruing, whilst the National Defence Authorisation Act had already classified Apitong as endangered and called for a transition to domestically sourced alternatives. “The timber sector now faces two major threats — tariffs and the potential CITES listing — which could severely impact trade,” Wong said.

• To read more about the impact of tariffs, taxes and CITES on Malaysia’s timber trade, click here for Wood Central’s special feature. For more on how the CITES ruling could drive up timber prices for Australian consumers, click here.

Now, Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH) — the country’s largest hardwood processor — says a $600,000 AFWI-funded research project is helping the industry find its way forward, with new species, new engineered products and new performance data that could change how timber windows are specified in Australia.

Daniel Wright, ASH’s National Business Development Manager, told Wood Central that window manufacturers are a big part of the company’s supply chain — from commodity and painted windows through to high-end architectural manufacturers — mostly across south-eastern states, but with a growing presence in northern New South Wales.

And Wright said the fallout from the decision to cease harvesting in Victorian forests has been immediate. “The window manufacturers of south-east Australia have been forced into a lot of change with the cessation of native timber in Victoria — just like we have,” he said. “But they also have upcoming changes to the NCC, which will structurally change how many of them operate.”

“Of course, what impacts our supply chain also impacts us.”

That disruption created confusion. “We’ve recently seen imported plantation timbers in the window market that don’t meet the specs they are intended for,” Wright said. “This was a direct result of Victoria’s hardwood being suddenly ceased. The window makers were trying to do the right thing, but were forced to make quick decisions.”

As one of the major stakeholders in the AFWI–AGWA Modernising Timber Windows project, led jointly by the Timber Development Association and the Australian Glass and Window Association, Australian Sustainable Hardwoods is providing timber species for testing their performance in modern systems.

“When we were asked to be involved, we saw this project as an opportunity to work together and help the window makers collectively find pathways forward that not only suit their specific needs, but also comply with upcoming changes to the NCC,” Wright said.

The project is also a chance for ASH to advance one of its newer species — Plantation Oak — as the company rebuilds markets lost when Victorian ash was taken away. Made from Shining Gum logs grown in a plantation for pulp, Plantation Oak is upgraded by ASH into higher-end, longer-term applications. Wright said a small part of every log can be used for architectural applications, but the majority needs to be engineered to get the best out of it.

“We’ve had success with Plantation Oak in MASSLAM, but in order to use this fibre in other market segments, we need to help build the standards and examples that everyone can follow with confidence,” he said. ASH is one of 10 timber suppliers involved in the project, alongside the Pentarch Group and others.

Now, the testing programme is about to shift up a gear.

Speaking to Wood Central today, Kylan Low — the Structural Engineer at the Timber Development Association leading the project — said next week’s round will put four configurations through their paces: a double-hung window, an awning and casement window, an awning and double casement window, and a centre bifold door. Low said the configurations are designed to capture various hardware setups used across the industry and will be tested under combined air and water pressure for durations representing storm periods.

In January, Low told Wood Central that the industry had been craving this kind of data for a very long time: “Window data hasn’t kept up with changes in codes, glazing, and timber supply.”

The project has also given a platform to the next generation. Jesse Ross — a Graduate Engineer at AGWA who has been working alongside Low since the project’s inception — recently shared his reflections on what has become his first major engineering project. Ross said that, unlike uPVC and aluminium systems, there was no prime operator in the timber window sector, meaning the entire system had to be built from the ground up.

Early testing revealed that some Australian hardwoods, such as Spotted Gum and Blackbutt, could outperform European staples. But given the project’s focus on species substitution, the team chose to work with the lowest passing species it could find. Designs have settled on 55/58 mm sash profiles with 24 mm glazing pockets, accommodating modern insulated glass units and manufacturable by small-scale workshops.

Ross said the industry engagement phase — travelling to state forums, meeting joiners, hardware suppliers and timber providers — was one of the most eye-opening parts of the experience. He found some joineries still working with outdated designs that didn’t fully comply with AS 2047 or accommodate drained insulated glass units.

“I learned that innovation is not just about creating new ideas,” Ross wrote, “but also about making them accessible to your audience.” The documentation phase — technical manuals, substitution procedures, shop drawings — is now underway, aiming to give any Australian joinery everything it needs to start building with confidence.”

The Modernising Timber Windows project is one of 30 research initiatives funded through AFWI — a $200-million-plus institute backed by $100 million in Commonwealth funding. It is generating new structural and performance data across a range of solid and engineered wood products, testing how timbers perform under AS 2047, Australia’s mandatory standard for windows and external glazed doors.

• To learn more about the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations programme, visit AFWI’s dedicated website.

That is, according to new ABS data analysed by IndustryEdge, which revealed that Australia’s imports of prefabricated and modular buildings have lifted to a record $326.4 million for the year to November 2025, a staggering 51.1% uptake on the last 12 months with modular steel ($75.8 million, up 246.8%) and prefabricated steel and other non-wood products ($227.3 million, up 28.9%) making up more than 92% of imports.

The data comes amid growing public and political interest in prefabricated and modular construction as a potential lever for addressing Australia’s housing supply shortfall. Yesterday, Wood Central reported that a major Australian developer is now partnering with a major Chinese construction firm to bring prefab expertise to address Sydney’s housing crisis, whilst the AustChina Institute is looking to establish a trade corridor for prefab to help close the gap.

But how much of these building materials are going into housing?

The ABS data paints a more nuanced picture of what is actually arriving at ports. The figures do not distinguish between industrial and commercial buildings and dwellings, making it difficult to determine how much of the record growth is being driven by residential demand. The formal product descriptors are published on the Border Force website under the 9406 Prefabricated Buildings classifications, with longer versions contained in the monthly ABS data series.

A closer look at the largest import category — 9406.90.00.04, covering steel and other non-wood prefabricated buildings — tells the story.

At $227.3 million, it accounts for nearly 70% of the total, and it is made up almost entirely of commercial and industrial products. The category contains no information on the value of dwelling imports. What it does list is cold rooms, spray booths, operating theatres, carports, greenhouses, interpreter booths, pod offices, observatory domes, vaults, laundries, showers, kitchens, bathrooms, and workshops — a long way from the housing conversation that has dominated the prefab narrative in recent months.

Wooden prefab buildings make up just 7.1% of all imports by value

Inevitably, most interest in the timber sector will centre on imports of prefabricated wooden buildings. The value here lifted $5.5 million, or 31.0%, to $23.3 million (FOB) over the year to November 2025. It’s a strong growth rate off a modest base — wooden prefab buildings still account for just 7.1% of total prefabricated building imports by value. Imports are spread across the states, reasonably consistent with population size.

On the supply side, mainland China accounted for 66.1% of total prefabricated building imports, or $215.9 million (FOB), for the year to November 2025. The picture shifts when specifically isolating the wooden prefab. China supplied 43.0% of imported wooden prefabricated buildings by value, with Estonia contributing 20.7% and Latvia 9.5% — a reflection of the Baltic states’ established expertise in timber construction and their growing footprint in the Australian market.

That Baltic connection is also worth watching. European timber producers have been actively diversifying their export markets since EU sanctions on Russian and Belarusian timber disrupted established supply chains from 2022. As Wood Central has reported, the reshaping of global timber trade flows has opened new corridors — and Australia’s wooden prefab import profile increasingly appears to reflect that shift.

There is no question that political and commercial interest in prefab housing is growing. But the import data suggests the reality has not yet caught up with the ambition. The bulk of Australia’s record $326.4 million in prefab imports is going into commercial and industrial applications, and for the timber sector, wooden prefab remains a small but growing corner of the market at $23.3 million a year.

The gap between where the conversation is and where the numbers are remains significant.

Backing Harrop’s pitch is the state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corporation, which, through its Yijia Symphony in China project, proves that it can build towers with a 92% assembly rate. As part of a new joint venture with Thrive Construct, the partnership can deliver 400-apartment developments in under 12 months — and in some cases, within eight months — with up to 65% fewer skilled workers required on site. And even at that volume, Harrop said, it represents just a single day’s manufacturing capacity, “and only a few hours’ worth of renewable plantation forest growth.”

Wood Central understands that the consortium is targeting the “missing middle”: inclusive, quality mid-rise apartments that Harrop argues have been neglected for decades in favour of investment-grade towers and sprawling outer-suburban detached housing. The Thrive Alliance plans to initiate a series of reference projects across metropolitan Australia, with designs led by one of the world’s leading architects.

Mid-rise precinct-style developments in the city fringe

And the need is acute. In Sydney, over 80% of housing demand is for apartments, with the ABC reporting this week that the collapse of the first-home market due to a lack of affordable apartments has now extended beyond metropolitan Sydney. The Sydney Morning Herald also reported that around 10,000 new units are projected to be built annually over the next three years — but in the Parramatta region alone, home to around 10% of Australia’s population, it appears unlikely any affordable apartment towers will be built in the foreseeable future, as construction costs now exceed achievable sale prices.

In Western Sydney more broadly, Harrop warned, there is a “concerning lack of scalable plans” to provide affordable housing — a problem he attributes to the NSW Government’s rezoning policies and the absence of mandatory affordable housing requirements. Traditionally, apartments across Australia’s Eastern Seaboard have served as a stepping stone to home ownership, but Harrop said that pathway is “rapidly diminishing due to slow and inefficient custom construction costs” and a severe national shortage of skilled tradespeople now approaching 200,000.

According to data from the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, median-income households now need 50% of their income to service average mortgage repayments. Australia approved just 185,844 new homes in FY2024–25 — falling short by more than 54,000 against the National Housing Accord target of 240,000. The dwelling price-to-income ratio hit a record 8.2 in September 2025, according to Cotality data, with first-home buyers now facing an average 11-year wait just to save a deposit.

Compounding the supply shortage is a national shortfall of skilled tradespeople needed for apartment construction, which is now approaching 200,000, according to Harrop, who also said that rampant speculation triggered by recent government rezoning has resulted in land holdings surging 200% to 300%, with no affordable housing requirements attached. The result, he said, is that more than 3 million Sydneysiders are effectively locked out of the market, “particularly Baby Boomers looking to downsize near metropolitan railway stations and over 1 million essential workers in need of affordable rental options.”

And that pressure is already being felt across the city. Sydney’s public hospitals face significant shortages of essential workers, including teachers and aged care professionals. Key workers are being pushed to the outer suburbs and enduring daily commutes of four to five hours. Harrop warned the trend is contributing to the decline of Sydney’s CBD, “which is becoming less vibrant and more reliant on a Tuesday-to-Thursday presence, jeopardising the viability of countless small hospitality businesses.”

Harrop’s pitch arrives amid growing industry consensus that conventional construction simply cannot deliver housing at the speed or scale Australia needs. Last week, Wood Central reported that Goldman Sachs identified a major innovation gap in prefabricated technology, which in turn has widened the gap in construction productivity.

• To learn more about Thrive Construct’s plans, visit thriveconstruct.com.au. To learn more about Harrop’s plans for the world’s tallest timber hotel in Adelaide, click here.

Organised by the Timber Preservers Association of Australia, the forum is designed as a “hybrid” of traditional conferences and interactive workshops.

“This will ensure delegates don’t just listen but actively participate in shaping the future of our industry,” said TPAA national secretary and conference coordinator Jack Norton.

Sessions will include global research initiatives in relations to the latest national and international wood protection development, super critical treatment and why this technology deserves close consideration; market expectations – what the government and retail sectors demand for preserved wood; operations and sustainability – managing waste and product quality testing management in preservative operations; and, importantly, industry standards and an introduction to the new TPAA Code of Conduct.

The conference venue is the Swiss-Belhotel in Brisbane, located in the heart of Woolloongabba, next to the iconic Gabba Cricket Grounds, and offering excellent facilities.

Conferenced capacity is limited to 80 delegates – best in, best dressed! Registration cost is $196 p.p., which covers the full 1.5-day forum, two hours of drinks and a BBQ dinner. Parking is available across the road for $10 a day (detailed instructions to follow). Also, a major bus station is located just two blocks away.

Specially negotiated accommodation rates are available. All room rates include a continental breakfast plus one hot menu item. Superior room (King or King Split) is $199 per night, and a deluxe room (King or King Split) is $219 per night.

Why attend?

Jack Norton said that while we use digital tools for daily tasks, nothing beats the value of face-to-face connection.

“This forum is as much about the ‘dark corner’ conversations and networking as it is about technical sessions,” he said. “Come share a meal, a drink, and a story with your peers in the beautiful Brisbane winter, and if there is a specific challenge or topic you’d like to see discussed during the workshopping sessions, let me know.”

For more information, visit the TPAA website today.

Editor’s note: Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, perception and decision-making.

It is a field of research in computer science that develops and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and use learning and intelligence to take actions that maximise their chances of achieving defined goals.

And whilst the core of the terminal opened to passengers in 2024, the past 18 months have been dedicated to demolishing and rebuilding the north and south nodes — a task carried out while the airport remained fully operational. And Wood Central understands that the final configuration now links ticketing, security and circulation spaces into a single, seismically isolated volume, eliminating the bottlenecks that characterised the interim construction period.

“The last 30% of Portland Airport’s main terminal project, on both the north and south of wing of the terminal, will wrap up by June, adding new restaurants, shops, bathrooms, art, and improved passenger flow,” according to Alamy McCarty, a reporter for KGW8 news who toured the new section. “As we open up the last 30% of the project, you’ll see the continuation of a walk in the forest.”  

Behind the Douglas fir interior lies one of the most advanced seismic designs for any airport anywhere in the world, with the structure engineered to remain fully operational both during and after a magnitude‑9.0 Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, whilst high‑tech base isolation bearings are installed beneath the columns to allow the roof and floor plates to move independently from the ground. And for crews, this meant threading new structural systems through an active terminal — a challenge far removed from a greenfield build.

And the logistical demands are immense. Crews had to demolish the old ticket lobbies and baggage claim areas just metres from live passenger operations, while simultaneously erecting the steel that “stitched” the Phase 1 roof to the new Phase 2 sections. The distinctive Y‑columns now run uninterrupted from end to end, supporting the undulating mass timber diaphragm that has become the project’s signature.

Attention is now shifted to interior fit‑out. Electricians are completing the LED lighting integration within the timber coffers, while finish trades install terrazzo flooring designed to mimic the dappled light of a forest floor. The final retail nodes are also taking shape, with the Port of Portland prioritising local operators over generic airport franchises.

The supply chain behind the project remains one of its defining achievements. More than 2.5 million board feet of glulam beams and lattice were sourced from within a 300‑mile radius, including tribal lands and small family‑owned forests. Timberlab and Zip‑O‑Laminators led the mass timber fabrication, while W&W | AFCO Steel delivered the structural steel package.

• To learn more about the airport, click here for Wood Central’s exclusive interview with Jared Revy, the Director of Manufacturing for Timberlab, one of North America’s largest mass timber manufacturers and fabricators of the massive build.

Previously covered by Wood Central, the new glulam—developed by WTIBeam in partnership with Australian Bluegum Plantations and OneFortyOne—marks a major shift in how plantation hardwoods are used. Instead of being chipped or pulped, blue gum can now be turned into high‑value structural products capable of replacing native hardwoods restricted under forest‑harvesting bans.

“It’s really pleasing to see our research deliver a real‑world application, proving that plantation‑grown blue gum can deliver high‑performance structural products at scale,” according to Tony Wright, CEO of the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub, who added that GL24 could help Australian plantations displace imported timbers and supplement steel and concrete.

According to Edwina Vulcz, owner of WTIBeam, the glulam product signals a new way of valuing blue gum. “We’re excited to see our new product come to life in the home of plantation forestry in Mt Gambier. “Blue gum makes incredible glulam when manufactured the right way, and the high‑strength grades like GL24 can support builders to achieve longer spans, reducing material use and construction costs.”

Forestry centre opens to fanfare

Opened late last week, the $16.5 million centre is a partnership between the Peter Malinauskas‑led state government, the University of Adelaide—which has committed $6.55 million over 10 years—and the forest industry. The building brings together the National Centre for Forestry Innovation, led by Professor Jeff Morrell, the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and Tree Breeding Australia.

“This centre is about backing one of our state’s great regional success stories with world‑class research, innovation and skills, ensuring the forestry sector remains strong, sustainable and competitive well into the future,” Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven said.

“Our plantation forest region is one of the powerhouses of the Australian forest sector, and this centre will help drive economic growth, attract investment and support local jobs. By bringing together government, researchers, educators and industry in one location, we are creating the right conditions for collaboration, innovation and long‑term prosperity for the region.”

According to Professor Nicola Phillips, Vice‑Chancellor for the University of Adelaide, the new centre demonstrates how research can deliver direct benefits to regional communities and industry. “By co‑locating world‑class researchers with industry partners in the heart of the Green Triangle, ideas will be translated more efficiently from the lab to the plantation and processing floor,” she said. “The centre will also strengthen pathways between research, education and industry, ensuring that students and early career researchers gain hands‑on experience in the sector.”

Whilst Professor Morrell said the centre’s mission is to deliver practical, industry‑led research. “The centre works closely with growers, processors and product manufacturers to address real challenges such as productivity, sustainability, climate resilience and the development of high‑value timber products,” he said. “By translating science into solutions, the centre will ensure the industry continues to innovate, adapt, provide secure jobs and remain globally competitive in a rapidly changing market.”

And with the state election only weeks away, South Australian Forest Products Association CEO Nathan Paine said the opening sends a clear signal about the sector’s future. “It sends a strong message well beyond Mount Gambier, the centre reinforces South Australia’s commitment to future‑focused industries built on sustainability, innovation and community,” he told the SA Voice yesterday.

“Too often, we see good ideas announced but never delivered. Today shows what’s possible when government listens, commits and follows through,” he said. “As the birthplace of Australia’s commercial plantation forestry sector, the centre recognises the 150‑year legacy of regional workers, businesses and researchers, and it will strengthen the global competitiveness of forest industries research while creating lasting economic and employment opportunities across the Limestone Coast and throughout the state.”

• To learn more about how researchers are using plantation fibre to build frames, panels and modules in factories, click here for Wood Central’s special feature on The Precinct, an IndustryEdge project funded by Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI), the $100 million‑plus Commonwealth‑supported research institute co‑matched by industry and partners.

“We believe in designing buildings that create healthier, more sustainable futures. Our mass timber work reflects DLR Group’s unwavering commitment to reduce climate impact through carbon reduction,” said Peter Rutti, the firm’s Managing Principal and Chief Design Officer.

The milestone comes as greenhouse gas levels continue to rise, accelerating the shift away from carbon‑intensive steel and concrete toward low‑carbon timber systems. And beyond its climate credentials, mass timber is also reshaping construction economics.

That’s because off-site prefabrication of panels, beams, and columns enables faster, quieter, and cleaner construction, according to DLR, allowing developers to enter the market sooner and realise revenue earlier. At the same time, research also shows that exposed timber interiors can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance indoor air quality — a blend of environmental and human‑centred benefits that is driving rapid adoption across the United States.

“Our mass timber portfolio spans educational and student housing facilities, corporate offices, hotels and mixed‑use developments, decreasing carbon emissions and improving the health and wellbeing of users across the United States,” said Principal and Design Leader Steve Cavanaugh, who leads DLR Group’s mass timber studio and has designed three million square feet of mass timber while stewarding the firm’s long‑running partnership with Hines.

That decade‑long collaboration has produced the T3 (Timber, Transit, Technology) series of mass‑timber office buildings across North America. Recent projects include T3 ATX Eastside in Austin — the first timber office and residential development in the United States — and T3 FAT Village in Florida, a 182,000‑square‑foot office building that topped out in late 2025 and incorporates a purlin system that reduces wood fibre use by 20%.

DLR Group is also pushing mass timber into new sectors. With support from a U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovations Grant, the firm and the University of Minnesota developed a Mass Timber Hospitality Prototype to demonstrate that timber can meet the acoustic and safety requirements of hotel operators. That research is now being realised in Common Pine, California’s first mass‑timber hotel, scheduled for completion in 2028.

Whilst in education, mass timber is reshaping learning environments from career‑technical facilities to student housing. The Kalamazoo RESA Career Connect Campus integrates 115,000 square feet of cross‑laminated timber, while Texas A&M University’s Aplin Centre and The Ohio State University’s 13‑storey 9th and High student housing project demonstrate the material’s versatility at scale. At Swarthmore College, a new 60,000‑square‑foot mass‑timber dining centre saved nearly 300 metric tons of carbon compared with a steel alternative.

“Using timber in our projects is not just a pathway to reduce carbon footprints; it’s directly related to helping our clients achieve their goals and creating healthier, more inspiring spaces for the communities they serve,” Rutti said.

Please note: This article was supplied to Wood Central by DLR Group. For more information about DLR Group’s mass timber programme, click here.