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From forestry schools to wood physics as a scientific discipline: a review of historical milestones and future directions of wood science is a paper by Dick Sandberg of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Peter Niemz ETH Zurich published by Research Gate. Source: Timberbiz This overview traces the modern history of wood science and technology, particularly from the European perspective. It begins with the early forestry schools in 18th-century Germany, which influenced the founding of similar institutions worldwide. These schools introduced technical subjects, including wood physics, to meet industrial demand, especially from the mining sector. Before formal studies began, early research on wood properties, including moisture relations and strength, appeared in encyclopaedias. With the Industrial Revolution, interest in wood as a construction material grew, linking wood research to engineering and materials science. In the early 20th century, dedicated wood technology institutes marked the birth of wood science as a distinct discipline. Today, key research fields include wood-water relations, mechanical and rheological behaviour, wood modification, and structure-property modelling. The future of wood science lies in sustainability and the efficient use of resources. As interest in renewable, bio-based alternatives to steel and concrete grows, further research on wood functionalisation and modification will be vital. More information about this paper here  

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The new Log Max 20-inch class harvester head is the result of collaborative efforts by Log Max and Quadco and incorporates the Quadco Intermittent Disc Saw to reduce downtime and costs associated with chain saws. Source: Timberbiz The swing-out disc saw has a solid centre and a rotating ring, enabling the saw to instantly develop 600-700 rpm cutting speed. The result is high quality cuts at an impressive rate. This robust head is built for shift after shift production. It quickly cleans out underbrush without throwing chain or bending bars, clearing the way for a close-to- the-ground cut to increase the value of the first log. It is also ideal for delimbing and topping challenging trees. This modern state-of-the-art harvester-processor is designed for professional contractors. Its standout feature, the swing-out disc saw, has a cutting speed of 600-700 rpm, ensuring high-quality cuts and exceptional productivity. Combined with the Logmax Logmate 510 Control system, this package will ensure high-quality cuts and good productivity.

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Fukushima United Football Club has unveiled plans for Japan’s first all-wooden stadium. The club also claims that the new facility will be the world’s first fully recyclable wooden stadium. Source: The Stadium Business In an announcement on its website, the club stated: “In exploring sustainable architecture originating from Japan, inspiration is drawn from the traditional practice of Shikinen Sengu in which sacred Shinto shrines are periodically rebuilt, and their enshrined deities are transferred to other newly constructed buildings. “The stadium will be built using wood, with layers of lumber sourced from Fukushima Prefecture. Each component is designed to be disassembled and reused, promoting the recycling of local resources. In addition, we will call for club members and local residents to participate in the creation of building components in a festive, community-driven events. “Through reforestation and woodworking education, we also aim to pass on skills to the next generation, taking on the challenge of ensuring the sustainable recycling of resources, culture, and craftsmanship.” The club also pointed out that it intends to take advantage of Fukushima’s basin climate to effectively circulate natural energy required for its stadium. “Taking advantage of Fukushima’s basin climate, we introduce a passive design that maximises the use of natural energy. The shape of the roof is designed to block sunlight in summer and shield against cold winds in winter. Variations in the exterior wall shape allow prevailing winds to be captured in summer and blocked in winter. “Additionally, collected rainwater is filtered for reuse, and snow stored during winter is utilised for cooling in the summer. Through efforts to recycle natural energy, we aim to reduce energy consumption while storing the renewable energy generated on-site in a battery system, working toward energy self-sufficiency. “Ultimately, we will strive to achieve certification under the Living Building Challenge, one of the world’s most rigorous environmental standards for sustainability and regenerative design.” The stadium will seat 5000 and be the country’s first circular timber stadium. Architects are VUILD who say they will use timber from local forests and use six metre spans with hyperbolic paraboloid shells made from cross-section timber.

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A team of six students, named Six Degrees, from Deakin University Geelong has taken home the Autodesk Challenge Cup in 2025 for their architectural submission ‘Solace’ which uses prefabricated building methods to deliver high-quality homes that incorporate universal design principles and integrated assistive technologies. Source: Timberbiz Seven cross-disciplinary teams from Australian universities participated in the 2025 Autodesk Challenge Cup. “Smarter building for transitional living” required the students, Australia’s next generation of built design professionals, to create a mid-rise (3-6 storey) designed with universal design principles. The response needed to use prefabricated building methods to deliver high-quality homes appropriate and comfortable for people with disabilities and the elderly. The typology was mid-rise to acknowledge and respond to the need for increased densification due to the lack of available housing nationwide. Sthe Geelong team designed a six-storey transitional living facility to accommodate 41 diverse dwelling units for individuals and families. Using the Flexi-Build system, featuring CLT floor slabs, modular steel partition walls, and hydronic ceiling panels, the project enables high configurability. Sponsored by Autodesk and facilitated by peak body prefabAUS, the Challenge Cup is now into its sixth year and provides teams with an opportunity to demonstrate the value and versatility of prefabrication and modern methods of construction (or Smart Building) to find innovative solutions unmatched by traditional construction. prefabAUS Executive Chair Damien Crough said that prefabAUS was delighted to partner in a competition involving the next generation of Australia’s built environment professionals. “With an aging population and more understanding of the importance of universal design and access to the quality of life experienced by people living with disability, this Challenge has delivered a solution to a real-world problem. Using smart building techniques that combine digital design and advanced manufacturing techniques, mean time and waste savings and enhanced building performance are realized,” said Mr Crough. Autodesk’s Sumit Oberoi, Senior Manager, Construction Strategy, APAC, said that for industry to keep pace, it needed to build more projects in a faster and more sustainable way. “The answer is industrialised construction, being able to connect design and make from day one resulting in faster, high-quality projects with less waste. “The quality and level of innovation amongst teams has been incredible and we congratulate the finalists, Australia’s next generation of built design professionals, on their exceptional efforts and innovation,” said Mr Oberoi.

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The volume of detached houses approved for construction nationally increased by 0.6% in the month of July 2025 ahead of the 5% deposit guarantee announced last week. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Bureau of Statistics yesterday released its monthly building approvals data for July 2025 for detached houses and multi-units covering all states and territories. “Strong population growth, tight labour markets and recovering household incomes helped improve confidence in an increasing number of markets over the last 18 months,” HIA Senior Economist Maurice Tapang said. “This cyclical improvement in new home commencements will be enhanced by supply side initiatives, such as the 5% deposit scheme announced last week,” he said. “Around a third of all new homes are built by first home buyers, and in the long-term, initiatives that reduce the cost of first home buyers entering the market will lead to an increase in new home commencements.” This month’s increase in detached house approvals was broad-based across most states and territories, except Queensland and South Australia, and brought the total volume of detached house approvals in Australia over the past 12 months up by 5.3% to 112,760. Mr Tapang said that with three interest rate cuts having been delivered this year, more households were expected to return to the market to purchase a home. “Strong demand for housing in the established market is expected to continue filtering through to the new home market, as building a new home becomes relatively more appealing,” he said. “Multi-unit approvals decreased by 18.8% in the month of July 2025. Approvals for this segment remains volatile and at very low levels. “The correlation between an apartment approval and commencement remains weak, as challenges with access to overseas financing, development costs, labour shortages and planning remain. “In order to build sufficient housing to meet existing and growing demand, apartment construction needs to double from current levels. “There remain upside risks to home building activity in Australia if policymakers help lower the cost of delivering new homes to market,” Mr Tapang said. The volume of detached house approvals in the month of July 2025 in seasonally adjusted terms increased in Western Australia by 3.6%, followed by New South Wales (+3.2%) and Victoria (+1.7%). South Australia recorded a 4.6% monthly decline in detached house approvals, while Queensland fell by 3.7%. In original Terms, Tasmania recorded a 48.4% increase in detached approvals, followed by the Northern Territory (+16.2%) and the Australian Capital Territory (+3.3%).

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