New Zealand hosts World Conference on Timber Engineering
This is the first time this conference is being hosted in the Southern Hemisphere, let alone NZ. The conference ran 15 to 19 July and was on at the Sky City, Auckland. It provided a unique opportunity for engineers, architects and the wood industry to network with international experts and learn about the latest developments in timber engineering.
The programme is available at World Conference on Timber Engineering 2012
Advances in new wood products such as cross-laminated-timber, new design and innovative fastening systems are combining with a renewed focus on earthquake resilience and heralding a major increase in the use of timber. In particular timber is being used increasingly in commercial and multi-storey construction, once the preserve of concrete and steel. The conference included a seismic workshop at Canterbury University.
From a forest owner's perspective, it is heartening to see this renaissance for wood, which can only be positive for lifting the profile and value of its applications.
This striking wooden building is a restaurant in Gironde, France and was designed by Nadau Lavergne architects.