The Tasmanian Forests Products Association (TFPA) has congratulated the University of Tasmania (UTAS) for receiving international recognition for its timber-centric redesign of the Forestry Tasmania building in Hobart. Source: Timberbiz
The building, the centrepiece of the university’s Southern Campus Transformation, has won the Building Technology category in the 2024 WAFX Prizes, awarded by organisers of the World Architecture Festival.
TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, said the award was recognition of a truly unique building that captures the beauty and versatility of Tasmanian timber.
“The redesign of the Forestry Tasmania building shows just what can be created using our own sustainable and renewable forest products,” Mr Steel said.
“Not only is Tasmanian timber a great way of supporting the local community, it’s also aesthetically pleasing… and great for the state’s environment too.
“The university knew that by using timber they were creating up to 40% less greenhouse gas emissions than by using other building materials. And the use of steel or concrete would not store any carbon after the buildings’ completion – unlike timber, which locks the carbon it has sequestered away for the life of the building.”
Mr Steel said new engineered wood products can be as strong and fire resistant as other building methods and should be embraced for other building projects.
“With both the Federal and State governments committing to major housing projects in Tasmania over the next decade, using timber in every home would ensure we continue to lock up carbon, reduce emissions and help the Tasmanian economy thrive,” Mr Steel said.
“Timber is the ultimate renewable and should be at the forefront of all new building development in Tasmania – both government and private.”
In all, 33 future projects were recognised in the WAFX Prizes. An overall winner will be announced at WAF in Singapore in November. The Forestry Tasmania Building project is slated for completion towards the end of 2025.
