prefabAUS Mass Timber Focus Forum - Brisbane
Join us for the first Mass Timber Focus Forum for 2023!
Meet with industry colleagues and learn about the sustainable principles driving the leading innovators in the Mass Timber construction industry.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the ARC Advance Timber Hub / UQ Centre for Future Timber Structures. Learn more here
Speakers:
Dr Lisa Ottenhaus, Lecturer in Structural Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland (UQ)
Kim Baber, Architect, Baber Studio and Research Fellow, The University of Queensland
Tim McDonald, Business Development Manager, XLam
MC: Damien Crough, Executive Chair and Managing Director, prefabAUS
Event schedule:
4:15 pm - Arrive Advanced Engineering Building (49), The University of Queensland
4:30 pm - Lab tour (ARC Advance Timber Hub / UQ Centre for Future Timber Structures)
5:00 pm - Presentations and panel discussion
6:00 pm - Refreshments and networking
7:00 pm - Event close
Introducing our Speakers:
Dr Lisa Ottenhaus
Lecturer in Structural Engineer, School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland (UQ)
Lisa Ottenhaus is a structural engineer and lecturer at the School of Civil Engineering, the University of Queensland (UQ), in Brisbane, Australia, with expertise in design of timber connections.
Lisa and their research team currently focus on offsite timber construction, investigating different timber materials and systems, such as CLT, light timber framing, and novel timber materials and systems. Part of their work aims to minimise the environmental impact of the construction industry, and to transition the construction industry toward a circular framework, e.g. by designing buildings for adaptability, disassembly, and reuse.
Lisa co-leads the adaptability subgroup of COST Action Helen and the “Designing for Extended Building Life” Node of the ARC Advance Timber Hub, is a founding member of the International Association for Mass Timber Construction, and a steering committee member of the CTBUH Steel-Timber Hybrid research project. Lisa is also a member of the Women in Forests and Timber Network which strives to empower women in the industry to thrive and grow with confidence, while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.
Kim Baber
Architect and, Research Fellow
Baber Studio and, The University of Queensland
Kim Baber is an Architect and Research Fellow. His practice has been awarded the Queensland ‘Emerging Architect’ Prize by the Australian Institute of Architects. Kim is a part time research fellow at the University of Queensland, and a member of the ‘Advance Timber Hub’ Research Centre. As part of his practice and research, he is interested in how cities can benefit from buildings being constructed from carbon neutral and renewable materials. His architectural practice has recently completed the QFES North Coast Regional Headquarters and Maryborough Fire station, constructed from prefabricated CLT and Glu-Lam.
Tim McDonald
Business Development Manager
XLam
As the Business Development Manager for XLam based in Queensland, Tim is tasked with driving the uptake of XLam CLT and GLT mass timber solutions within the local construction community.
Tim comes from a construction products background including the last 9 years within the engineered/mass timber industry in Australia and New Zealand with experience across technical sales, marketing, project management and team management.
Damien Crough
Executive Chair and Managing Director
prefabAUS
Damien is a founding Director and Executive Chair of prefabAUS – the peak industry body for offsite construction in Australia. In 2007 Damien began working with renowned Australian architect Nonda Katsalidis and Hickory Group to develop and bring to market the prefabricated Unitised BuildingTM system. Damien’s skills, knowledge and experience with the UBTM System were used to grow and develop the business in Australia.
As Managing Director of Advanced Offsite Group, Damien has been involved a range of medium to high density modular housing projects. Damien works with a number of universities and research bodies to explore advanced manufacturing technologies and collaborates with government and industry bodies to advance offsite construction. Damien sees strong opportunities for the prefabrication industry to set itself apart by providing low waste, high quality, sustainable and design led alternatives.