Timber products research centre opens at UWA

A NEW timber products research centre established by the Forest Products Commission and The University of Western Australia will provide an opportunity for value adding to local forest resources. The Advanced Timber Concepts Research Centre will be located at the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, on UWA’s Nedlands campus.“The ATCRC will conduct research into high value-adding to achieve more efficient and effective use of our local forest resources,” Forestry Minister Kim Chance said upon opening the centre.“In particular, the ATCRC will focus on market research, design and product development to expand the technical, commercial and aesthetic possibilities for WA’s unique timber species. “A number of research projects are already under way at the new centre, including the development of a lightweight jarrah chair using smaller timber sections and improved joining techniques, and white wood juvenile karri. Each is an example of innovation and design working in harmony.” UWA vice-chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the university was extremely pleased to join the state government, through the FPC, in a project which had the potential for significant commercial and community benefit. “This new centre will help drive a rapid research and development cycle, extensive and sustainable cross-sector collaboration and more effective value adding in the timber and forest products sector,” Professor Robson said. “This represents an exciting combination of design-led and science-based research, which is familiar territory for the university’s Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts.”