Building houses and light commercial buildings using timber in Australia is a well-developed technology that relies on building site-based and trade-focused practices considered very cost efficient by world standards. However, new and emerging technologies may threaten traditional timber construction’; the direct economic benefits to the industry are huge as a 1% swing either way represents an annual change in retail timber sales of up to $10 million.
This project reviewed 114 technologies and categorised them into 11 broad categories: Prefabricated factory housing, Panelised construction, Improved wood, Wood composite, Engineered wood product, Structural system, Flooring, Cladding & Insulation, Frame and Truss Manufacture, Research Project, and Miscellaneous.
Whilst the report has not revealed any obviously ‘industry-killing’ technologies or products, it has identified a number of possibilities that, if modified, or intelligently considered in the Australian context, could provide the timber or building industries with ideas for further development and may lead to commercial benefit.
- Reference Number: PN05.1022
- Findings Report: Emerging_Technologies_Compendium – Publication Version LVW web ready 070607.pdf
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