Mass Timber Market Updates - Feb 2025 - Week Six

Discover the future of sustainable architecture as we uncover the innovative designs pushing the boundaries of mass timber construction. From a visionary 60,000-seat wooden stadium proposal for the Brisbane Olympics by Kirk Studio that aligns with the International Olympic Committee's Sustainability Strategy, to Daimler's $43 million USD venture into timber-powered electric vehicle facilities in Greater Portland, these projects embody the cutting-edge of eco-friendly building design. The episode promises insights into these transformative developments, offering listeners a glimpse of the pioneering spirit shaping the future of architectural excellence.

Our journey doesn't stop there. We'll explore global projects like Fletcher Priest Architects’ remarkable refurbishment of the former BHS headquarters in the UK, highlighting their use of GLT and CLT materials for sustainable design. We'll also venture to Oregon Polytechnic for a sneak peek at their new mass timber residence hall aimed at enhancing student life, before heading to South Australia to see how Timberlink is revolutionizing construction with CLT panels at Flinders University's Factory of the Future. Each story showcases the limitless potential of mass timber, promising listeners a captivating look at these groundbreaking endeavors.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Ladies and gentlemen, we are live.
This is the moment you all havebeen waiting for.
It's time for the globalsensation, the one, the only,

(00:24):
the undisputed heavyweightpodcast in the world the Mass
Timber Construction Podcast.
And now here's Paul Kramer,your host.

(00:48):
Good morning, good afternoon orgood evening, wherever you are
in the world today, welcome tothe Mass Timber Construction
Podcast.
My name's Paul Kramer, yourhost.
Don't forget to get yourtickets, book your hotel and get
to the International MassTimber Conference Only a couple
of months away now, at the endof March.
Most of the early bird specialshave now sort of finished and
run their course, but you canprobably still pick up a bargain

(01:10):
and make sure that you get inthere to have a look at all the
education tracks, look at allthe exhibition halls and
participate in some workshops.
It's a great event if you'retrying to get into mass timber
or you want to catch up with,network with friends.
Don't forget to like, share,subscribe to all of our social
media feed and the podcast, ofcourse, and thank you for

(01:31):
joining us again for anotherweek.
Let's have a look at what'smaking news around the world
this week in mass timberconstruction land, and the big
news is another wooden stadiumhas been proposed, this time for
the olympics to be held in.
Held in Brisbane, australia, ata place called, affectionately
known, the Gabba it's actuallythe Brisbane Cricket Ground

(01:52):
called or in the location ofWollongabba, but we call it the
Gabba for short and Kirk Studioproposal for the International
Olympic Committee SustainabilityStrategy to provide this 60,000
seat gabba west stadium to besituated near the existing
stadium has been put online andyou can actually go to our

(02:12):
linkedin feed and have a look atthis incredible grid shell glue
laminated system with a clear,translucent facade that exposes
the grid shell system so you cansee the timber through the
exterior of the building.
It is an incredible proposal.
If it gets up, it will be alongwith the Tasmanian proposal two

(02:35):
of the largest world-leadingtimber stadiums in the world and
to Portland, oregon.
Now, and Daimler choosesGreater Portland for its $43
million USD expansion Daimler'sfuture of electric vehicles in

(03:09):
the area.
The project is live on ourLinkedIn feed if you'd like to
go and have a look at some ofthe concept drawings.
It's quite impressive and, ofcourse, it will be using timber
as a primary building materialfor the expansion in the
location.
So check out the building ifyou want to have a look.
And to the uk and fletcherpriest completes the

(03:29):
refurbishment of the former bhsheadquarters in maribor.
The work by arcadia group is areplacement of the existing
1960s extension with steppedfacing facade terrace buildings
for a building.
The new design is three storiesto the building with upper
levels and additional areas outthe back with landscaping.

(03:51):
The new MUSE building isconstructed from GLT and CLT and
replaces the old service blockcar park and is said to have
saved 19 tonnes of CO2, comparedto conventional concrete and
steel programs.
So if you want to have a lookat this impressive project, you
can head to our LinkedIn feed.
And the Northamptonheadquarters of Un company

(04:34):
supplies rigging and creativeindustries and they have
prioritized materials that canbe repurposed, dismantled and
otherwise facilitate a new lifeof the building at the end of
its existing life.
It is all part of the circulareconomy and it is starting to
take a hold, so designing upfront for circularity is

(04:54):
becoming quite an importantfacet in design.
If you'd like to check out justa very short article on this
project, please head to ourLinkedIn feed.
And Oregon Polytechnic isfocusing on the student
experience in incorporatinghands-on learning in the
construction of its new 35million mass timber residence
hall.
The 86,170 square footfull-story building will house

(05:18):
517 students, addressing theuniversity's growing need for
additional on-campus housing.
Construction is expected to becompleted in December in 2025,
and the vision for the newresidence is directed by the
steering committee at OregonTech.
If you want to have a look atsome impressive photos of this
mass timber building, pleasehead to our LinkedIn feed.

(05:39):
They really are quite stunning.
And finally, this week, next,timber by Timberlink is pleased
to announce that it supplied theCLT roof and floor panels for
the Flinders University Factoryof the Future at the Tonsley
Technical College projectlocated in South Australia.
Flinders University Factory ofthe Future is an innovation in

(05:59):
research and manufacturing, andthere were 22 truckloads
delivered, nearly 200 individualCLT panels used in the
construction of the flooring andthe roof system.
If you'd like to have a look atthe images of the photo under
construction, you can head toour LinkedIn feed.
And that's it, folks.
That's all that's making newsaround the world this week in
Mass Timber Construction Land.

(06:20):
Don't forget to hit like,subscribe, comment or share or
repost any of the content wehave on our socials.
Thank you for listening to thispodcast Not too soon now before
the Mass Timber InternationalConference in Portland, oregon,
and a few projects in Portlandcoming up in this news feed as
well.
So get along into Portland andhave a look and see if you can

(06:40):
see some works happening inprogress in that particular
location, and we look forward tobringing you news this time
next week.
Good morning, good afternoon orgood evening, wherever you are
in the world today, this is PaulKramer signing off on the Mass
Timber Construction Podcast.
Have a great week, week.
Speak to you soon.
Bye.