The engineer behind the world’s longest timber arch structure is one of the headline acts locked in for Timber Construct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference, held in Melbourne from August 12 to 13, 2024.
Now in its 25th year, conference host Andrew Dunn told Wood Central that the program is a must for design professionals looking at timber building design and construction.
More than one-third of the speakers are international, flying to Melbourne or Zooming from the USA, Canada, China, Finland, and Japan. “So far this year, we have nine international speakers locked in,” Mr Dunn said. “The bumper turnout is a record for Timber Construct.”
That includes Robert Jackson, a partner at the global engineering firm Fast-Epp, who is at the forefront of mass timber construction. Mr Jackson has been involved in many of North America’s most significant projects – including the Brock Commons TallWood house, Limberlost Place, Keith Drive and, of course, the PNE Amphitheater in Vancouver.
Breaking ground last month, the PNE Amphitheater, “inspired by the shell of the 1956 CNIT building in Paris,” according to Mr Jakson, with the 104-metre long starburst roof set to become Vancouver’s new jewel: “There will never be another venue like this anywhere in Canada, or indeed around the world,” Shelley Frost, PNE’s President and CEO.
“Robert will present as part of a panel discussion on the first day along with Noel Johnston, an American developer who has hands-on experience delivering mass timber projects of all sizes, and Liam Wallis, from Hipvhyp, who is building timber projects here in Australia,” Mr Dunn said.
“So far, we have 39 presenters already lined up,” he said, including Duncan Mayes, the founder and principal of Finnish-based Lignutech Oy, Shinohara Shoten, the timber fabricator behind Japan’s giant World Expo exhibit.
In addition, Timber Construct has locked in Nick Milestone from Mercer USA, Jared Revay from Timberlab—now fuelling the boom in mass timber across the United States—Kevin Naranjo from the US Forest Service, Xu Fang, the Director of the American Softwoods Office in China, and Jason Teetaert from SMT Canada.
Early bird registrations close Sunday, July 1, so book quickly!
“The primary focus is on commercial-ready applications of timber technology,” Mr Dunn said, with the “focus on materials and design, prefabrication, and building techniques.”
“We anticipate an even larger turnout than past years, attracting industry leaders and professionals eager to explore the potential of timber building construction, both from Australia and overseas.”
“Early bird tickets are still on sale,” Mr Dunn said, “secure your early bird tickets before it is too late.”
- Wood Central will have exclusive interviews with the panellists and presenters at TimberConstruct in the coming weeks.
