Australia’s most ambitious build-to-rent developer will headline Timber Construct, the country’s only dedicated timber-in-construction conference. Taking place on October 13 and 14, Rory Hunter, founder and CEO of MODEL, will deliver the opening keynote titled “Building Beyond Convention – a Developer’s Timber Awakening.”
Speaking to Wood Central, conference organiser Andrew Dunn confirmed the final program is now locked in: “Rory’s MODEL is Australia’s first purpose-first build-to-rent development group, now using mass timber-led solutions to ‘flip the script on old ways of living and being.’”
With more than 700 apartments already under development—and plans to build up to 5,000 more units—MODEL is backed by a $250 million regeneration decarbonisation fund supporting projects across Melbourne’s inner north. Last month, Hunter announced the expansion of MODEL’s leadership team, which now includes Ashley Reed, former CFO of CBus Property, and Jennifer Horrigan, chair of Dexus Asset Management.
“Build-to-rent projects are a major growth industry for timber-based construction, with mid-rise and high-rise residential buildings the new sweet spot for hybrid timber systems,” Dunn said, adding that the session will be chaired by Georgia Coutsodimitropoulous, Marketing and Brand Manager at Timberlink, operating Australia’s first cross-laminated timber and glulam plant through NeXTimber.
Supporting Hunter’s keynote address, Dunn said a panel discussion will also explore timber framing’s role in addressing Australia’s housing crisis. “Frame and truss are affordable, dependable and reliable,” Dunn said, noting that speakers will include Nick Hewson (CEO, Aboralis), Barry Brunton (Legacy Engineering), and Dr Louise Wallis (University of Tasmania).
Timber Construct tackles stone wool’s role in timber buildings
Among the technical sessions, Timber Construct will also spotlight new research into stone wool’s performance in mass timber buildings. Dunn said Andy Russell (Proctor Australia/DTech) and Jeremy Church (General Manager, NeXTimber) will present testing data and design strategies demonstrating stone wool’s triple-performance advantage: fire resistance, thermal insulation, and acoustic control.
“Speakers will present testing data, installation techniques, and design strategies demonstrating how stone wool systems simultaneously provide superior fire protection, energy efficiency, and sound control in timber buildings,” Dunn said, who said “case studies also highlight successful multi-performance applications in high-rise and complex timber projects.”
In recent months, Dunn said new CSIRO tests confirmed that timber-framed walls and panels covered with stone wool can “easily outperform plasterboard,” providing an affordable material that can withstand fire for over two and a half hours—far exceeding the threshold required under Australia’s National Construction Code for fire.
“That test represents a significant advancement in building materials technology, offering architects, engineers, and builders a promising alternative to traditional fire protection methods,” Dunn said. “The findings suggest that stone wool could become a transformative solution for fire safety and efficiency in mass timber and lightweight timber construction.”
“Over the years, I’ve observed numerous timber tests, but the stone wool performance was extraordinarily impressive. It easily outperformed traditional fire-grade plasterboard,” Dunn added. “Stone wool provides superior fire protection while simultaneously delivering excellent acoustic and thermal insulation. This could potentially revolutionise construction costs for mass timber buildings,” Dunn said.
• Tickets for Timber Construct are now on sale, with organisers expecting a record turnout from both domestic and international attendees. To find out why developers and certifiers are increasingly turning to timber in construction, click here for more information.
