25 January 2023

Envisioning a future where timber is used more widely in mid to high rise buildings and contributes to carbon neutral targets, is an exciting opportunity in building design. The tools to make this a reality are now coming together with the Timber Design Centre, launched in March 2022.

The centre’s work programme will be co-designed with a wide range of people involved in the building construction process including developers, designers, council planners and consenters, architects, engineers, builders, building owners, students and researchers.

The centre is an initiative between Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service and a consortium comprising Scion, the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association, New Zealand Timber Design Society and BRANZ.

The greater use of timber in construction provides an opportunity for the sector to support the Government’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050, while realising the broader economic and well-being benefits of including wood products in multi-storied buildings.

New Zealand’s built environment accounts for about 20 per cent of the country’s carbon footprint owing to the emission of greenhouse gasses over the full life cycle of buildings. This includes embodied emissions of building materials and products.

The time is right for New Zealand to have a dedicated timber knowledge centre that provides advice and guidance on timber construction. Over recent years, the interest in engineered timber construction has increased significantly and the Timber Design Centre will help ensure that clients, designers, contractors and authorities have all the information they need to build efficiently in timber.

For more information, visit timberdesigncentre.co.nz