Innovative Timber Engineering Projects Enhance the Beauty of the Forest

A grant from the WIDE Trust supported three related projects for final year Master of Architecture (Professional) students at the School of Architecture & Planning at the University of Auckland.

In part extending work by previous thesis students that explored new timber fabrication techniques and structural systems under Professor Andrew Barrie, the projects are timber shelters at Summerhill Farm, a recreational park near Papamoa. Located on a key pathway, the three structures combine to serve as an outdoor classroom for the school groups that make regular use of the forest.

Summerhill Farm includes exotic forests, and timber milled from these forests was used for the projects.

Student Joshua Crandall’s project developed a variation of an ancient Japanese timber joint, milled using CNC technology. Student Chaoran Qui, working under the supervision of Associate Professor Mike Davis, employed an innovative variation on the ‘lattice’ truss and waffle slab. Student Bradley Rankin developed a triangular geometry to create a tower.

Businesses, students and others involved in studies and work to enhance the forestry and wood industry sectors in New Zealand are invited to apply to the WIDE Trust for a grant to support their efforts.