7 October 2025
The Datum investigates accessibility in both materials and fabrication technologies. The project employs small-diameter, forking branches, an abundant yet underutilised byproduct of the timber industry and forest management practices, including pruning.
The system relies on widely available tools: 2D images and videos are used to generate proportions best suited to the stock material. These inputs enable the design of bespoke cutting jigs, adaptable to standard workshop machines such as a bandsaw. In this way, the research establishes a framework where material accessibility is paired with technological accessibility, bridging environmental responsibility with democratised modes of making.
This research was done as part of the Design and Make program at the Architectural Association.
WoodWorks Issue – 07 Oct 2025
Welcome
Greetings from your WoodWorks team. Rarely do mass timber projects have mass public exposure, so it’s nice that the new Air New Zealand Hangar 4 at Auckland Airport can now be a conversation starter for ‘masstimberers’ to showcase what timber can do in many more places where people work, live and relax. Long may this landmark in timber engineering excellence be that icon!
- The CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) installation is currently underway at Menno Hall, marking a significant milestone in the structure’s vertical progress.
- Stockholm Wood City is the world’s largest urban wooden construction project, covering 250,000 square meters in Sickla, southern Stockholm, with the first buildings expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
- Meta plans to build three new mass timber data centres, which will account for nearly 10% of its current 28 data centres.
- And now for something completely different — Interesting way to design a walkway truss: “It appears nature is stronger than we realise”.
- Registrations are open for our national WoodWorks Conference, 4-5 November in Rotorua. To receive the Super Early Bird rate sign-up by 10 October.
7 October 2025
Largest timber arch aircraft hanger in the South now open
With Pride, We Present: Air New Zealand Hangar 4 – A Landmark in Timber Engineering ~ We’re proud to announce the successful completion of Air New Zealand’s Hangar 4, a...
7 October 2025
Menno Hall CLT installation
CLT installation is now underway at Menno Hall, marking a major milestone in the structure’s vertical progress.Menno Hall is a unique hybrid mass timber and light wood-frame development located on...
7 October 2025
Stockholm Wood City
Stockholm Wood City extends over 250,000 square meters in Sickla, in the southern parts of Stockholm, and is thus the world’s largest known urban construction project in wood. The new...
7 October 2025
Meta has begun piloting the use of mass timber in the construction of its data center campuses
While we, as masstimberers, don’t often associate social media companies with mass timber, there is some indication they are willing to dip their toe into the potential for sustainable architecture...
7 October 2025
Timber Byproducts in Fabrication
The Datum investigates accessibility in both materials and fabrication technologies. The project employs small-diameter, forking branches, an abundant yet underutilised byproduct of the timber industry and forest management practices, including...
7 October 2025
And one to end on… The forgotten shoes
Arnold and his wife were cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from the local shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed...