The 2025 World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) concluded last night in a spirited celebration of innovation, sustainability, and student ingenuity.
The much-anticipated Gala Dinner on saw WoodSolutions proudly announce the winners of the Australian Timber Design Competition (ATDC), capping off an event that welcomed nearly 1,000 delegates from around the globe.
This year’s ATDC challenged students across Australia to design adaptable timber housing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Athletes Village.
Under the theme “Designing for Legacy,” participants were tasked with envisioning dwellings that would serve athletes during the Games and later evolve into enduring, liveable neighbourhoods.
“The competition provided an opportunity for students to showcase their ability to solve real-world sustainability challenges,” said Kevin Peachey, Head of Built Environment Programs at Forest & Wood Products Australia.
“We’re excited to see this level of creativity on a global stage and at WoodSolutions, we’re proud to foster upcoming talent and help secure the future of timber design and construction.”
After a rigorous shortlisting and review process, Team 3 was announced as the winning entry for their adaptable, sensitive, and sustainable project proposal.
Judges commended the team’s thorough and thoughtful approach to both design and delivery, highlighting their collaborative spirit and structural innovation.
“[There’s] lots of detail there which we scored excellent for that balance of cultural, structural, and environmental considerations,” said one of the jurors.
Winning Team Members:
- Charlie Bradley-Tasser
- Tamara Birtasevic
- Ruiyan Li
The 2025 judging panel brought together a cross-section of industry leaders spanning urban planning, architecture, engineering, and timber processing:
| Judge Name | Role & Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Grant Maher | Founder and Director, Jabin Group (Engineering) |
| Jonathan Evans | Specialist Timber Architect, Founder of Arbortect |
| Steph Wyeth | Professional Planner in Residence, University of QLD |
| Katie Fowden | General Manager, Hyne Group (Hyne / XLam) |
| Sam Charles-Ginn | Architectural Advisor for Queensland |
Their expertise, thoughtful feedback, and generous time shaped the competition into a valuable learning experience for all involved.
All judges were impressed by the depth and quality of submissions, particularly given the tight timeframes.
The competition not only showcased the capability of Australia’s emerging design talent but also highlighted the evolving role of timber as a climate-conscious, culturally adaptive material.
The ATDC was a highlight of the broader WCTE 2025 program, which marked the first time the global conference was held in Australia since 1994.
With architects, engineers, researchers, builders, and product innovators in attendance, the event underscored the growing importance of sustainable timber solutions in shaping the built environment of tomorrow.
