
Australian architects, engineers, and developers visited Japan to explore wooden architecture, particularly focusing on the Ajinomoto National Stadium, which features a unique timber-and-concrete composite roof. This trip aimed to understand Japan’s wood-centric culture and traditional construction methods. The delegation toured the 68,000-seat Ajinomoto Stadium, designed by Kengo Kum and Associates, which incorporates over 20,000 cubic meters of timber and a distinctive lattice roof made from glulam. They also visited a mass timber building utilizing fireproof laminated wood, a new product designed for enhanced fire resistance, showcasing advancements in sustainable construction materials.





WoodWorks Issue – 14 Oct 2025
Welcome
Greetings from your WoodWorks team. A July survey of over 500 architects and designers, funded by the BRANZ Building Research Levy, reveals that while the industry faces challenges, professionals are beginning to feel more optimistic about future prospects. Registrations are open for our national WoodWorks Conference, 4-5 November in Rotorua. See new options for site visits.
- BuildBIM managed coordination and construction modelling for the Bethlehem Shores project in Tauranga. They worked with Arvida during design and prefabrication, focusing on coordinating key interfaces like steel plates and CLT connections.
- The Sprint Canopy, Southeast Asia’s tallest single-span timber structure, stands 27 meters high, covering a 3,000 m² public plaza. It stores 952 tonnes of CO₂e and emitted only 67 tonnes CO₂e from harvest to installation.
- One for the glulam folks this time. From the UK a new building for an unusual tenant. Using building design and high performance materials the project delivers on its goal of achieving Passivhaus standards.
- See what Australian architects, engineers, and developers learned on a visit to Japan to study wooden architecture and explore a mass timber building with fireproof laminated wood, highlighting Japan’s wood-centric culture and advances in sustainable construction materials.


EBOSS 2025 Architect Sentiment Report

Arvida Bethlehem Shores

When Engineering meets beautiful Architecture

Glulam helps Unusual building achieve Passivhaus

Fire proof wood

