New timber research to address Australia’s housing challenge

Thursday 2 Apr 2026

 
As Australia faces mounting housing affordability and supply pressures, ARC Advance Timber Hub Chief Investigator, Associate Professor Joe Gattas from the University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering is leading a new four‑year national research project exploring how underutilised timber resources could help deliver more affordable, sustainable housing solutions.

This research project is funded by the Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) Centre for Sustainable Futures (University of the Sunshine Coast). It aims to unlock new value from Australia’s wood fibre while supporting the delivery of low‑cost, prefabricated buildings. Titled Bio-based Construction Systems for Small-Footprint Dwellings and Multifunctional Outbuildings.

This project builds on earlier bio-based housing research (see ARC Advance Timber Hub Research Node: Value-Chain Innovation & News: ARC Advance Timber Hub Investigators Pioneer Disaster-Proof Timber-Cardboard Housing, Tackling Climate Crisis, and Reducing Bio Waste in NSW) and will develop innovative construction systems for tiny homes, secondary dwellings, and multifunctional outbuildings.

“By rethinking how we use Australia’s existing timber and wood by-products, this project aims to demonstrate that affordable housing solutions can be delivered using locally sourced, low‑embodied‑carbon materials,” Associate Professor Gattas said. “Our focus is on practical, adaptable construction systems that maximise value from underutilised resources, support regional supply chains, and respond to the rapidly growing demand for small-footprint and prefabricated buildings.”

Delivered through a collaboration of university, industry, and government partners, the initiative seeks to strengthen Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, support regional economies, and contribute to a more sustainable and affordable future for the built environment.

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Source: Advance Timber Hub
Image: UniSC



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