The Problem Solvers: Greg Nolan is a Professor at the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture and Design and the Director of the University’s Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW). As an advocate for innovative timber applications, Greg leads CSAW in its mission to be a global leader in sustainable architectural design and building with wood. His work centres on developing practical, environmentally responsible solutions that highlight the potential of wood to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint.

"Architects are by definition, multi-variable problem solvers. Clients come to us with issues, with desires, and the architect has to accommodate those, or adjust within a whole regulatory framework, so there's many, many, many different variables that they've got to consider and coming up with a solution. And then they've got to do it in three dimensions. While we work in research, the research is also then multi-variable problem solving."

originalthinkers.com.au/greg-nolan


Links & Show Notes:

• UTAS Bio: Greg Nolan
• School of Architecture and Design at the University of Tasmania
• Centre for the Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW)
• Article: Timber Certification Explained
• Podcast: Michael Berger (PEFC)
• PEFC
• FSC
• Responsible Wood
• Species: Radiata Pine
• Tasmanian Oak Moisture Meter Card
• Blackwood Moisture Meter Card
• Fire Testing Certificates
• Wood Solutions: Fire Design
• Wood Solutions: Fire Design Timber Structure Compliance
• Wood Solutions: Technical Guides
• Wood Solutions: Moisture Management in Timber Frame Construction
• Tasmanian Timber Expert Helpline (1300 041 766)
• Tasmanian Timber Quality Assurance Program
• Article: Tasmanian Timber's Sustainability Journey
• 1967 Tasmanian Bushfires (Black Tuesday)

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Problem Solvers: Dr. Louise Wallis is a passionate advocate for sustainable construction and the innovative use of wood in architecture. As Deputy Director of the Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) at the University of Tasmania, she leads research and development initiatives exploring the vast potential of timber in creating environmentally responsible and structurally sound buildings. Her work at CSAW, a leading research center dedicated to advancing the use of wood in the built environment, focuses on promoting sustainable forestry practices and developing innovative timber-based building solutions for a lower-carbon future.

"I've always been very interested in materials and how we use them, and then thinking about, as an architect, it's a bit like a fashion designer – we have material, or fabric, and we are trying to sculpt it and make it in ways that it will be expressive, and it'll also form its function. The same's true with architecture."

originalthinkers.com.au/lousie-wallis


Links & Show Notes:

• Centre for the Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW)
• College of Science and Engineering at the University of Tasmania
• School of Architecture and Design at the University of Tasmania
• Webinar: Tasmanian Oak - Classic & Prime Grades
• Circular Economy
• Timber Charring
• Article: UTAS Inveresk Library
• Article: UTAS Cradle Coast Campus
• Article: UTAS Rivers Edge
• Podcast: Ona Flindell (Oslotre)
• Oslotre
• Cusp CLT & GLT
• Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT)
• State of the Forest Report 2023
• Podcast: Michael Berger (PEFC)
• Article: Timber Certification Explained
• PEFC
• FSC

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Architects: Scott Flett is the Director of Flett Architecture, an award-winning studio based in Sydney. Driven by a deep appreciation for context, materiality, and the human experience, Flett creates refined, enduring architectural solutions that seamlessly blend functionality and aesthetics. Scott's work is characterised by a thoughtful approach to design, emphasising natural light, honest materials, and a strong connection to the surrounding landscape.

"The reason why we had so much confidence is that when you build a boat out of timber, you know what timber is capable of - capable of so much more than just cladding, and Tasmania has that sort of institutional knowledge of making things with timber, curving with timber, and part of that's just like, when you're familiar with how they used to make boats out of timber just float, all of a sudden, just a cladding board, doesn't seem to feel as scary."

originalthinkers.com.au/scott-flett

Links & Show Notes:

• Flett Architecture
• Article: Wattlebird House (Tasmanian Timber)
• Project: Wattlebird House (Flett)
• Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Prize
• Flett Flashing (Award)
• Flett Flashing (YouTube)
• Flett Flashing (Better Future Award)
• Clinker Dinghy
• Species: Huon Pine
• Species: Tasmanian Oak
• Species: Celery-Top Pine
• Cutek Coatings
• Stanley Hand Plane
• Analiese Gregory

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Architects: Fiona Dunin is the Director of FMD Architects, a renowned Melbourne-based architecture firm known for its innovative and sustainable designs. Merging her interior design and architecture expertise, Fiona brings a holistic approach to her projects, ensuring a seamless and harmonious integration of spaces from the inside out. FMD Architects specialises in crafting residential, commercial, and public spaces that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and environmentally responsible. Their collaborative approach and dedication to design excellence have earned them a reputation as one of Australia’s leading architectural practices.

"I think we have a huge role to play. I mean, the amount of energy that our buildings take to build, but also to run and to live in, is enormous. So we have a huge role to play to make these buildings, one, minimise the carbon footprint of the actual construction of the buildings, maximise the lifespan of the buildings and the interiors, and think about that sort of ongoing lifespan of the building."

originalthinkers.com.au/fiona-dunin


Links & Show Notes:

• FMD Architects
• Daryl Jackson
• Daryl Jackson (University of Melbourne)
• John Wardle Architects
• John Wardle Architects (Wikipedia)
• Tasmanian Oak
• Article: Tiara House
• Tiara House (FMD)
• Fitzroy Gardens Rotunda
• Bustle House (FMD)
• Species: Black Heart Sassafras
• Article: Different features in timber (veneer)
• Article: QC Chambers
• Benefits of timber in workspaces
• Biophilic Design
• Hydrowood
• Centre for Sustainable Architecture With Wood (CSAW)

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Timber Processors: Josh Turnbull is the Green Mill Manager at Neville Smith Forest Products. Neville Smith Forest Products is a leading Australian hardwood sawmilling company and a key supplier of high-quality timber products. Operating multiple sawmills nationwide, they specialise in processing a diverse range of hardwood species, catering to various market segments, including structural and engineered wood products, flooring and decking. Neville Smith Forest Products plays a significant role in the Australian timber industry with a commitment to sustainable forestry practices and efficient production processes.

"We've definitely seen a bit of ambiguity around supply, or continuity of supply, with the exit of the Victorian forests in the native space, and I can assure you that the continuity of supply in Tassie is great, now and into the future. And obviously we've got the estates of the plantation yields coming online in the very near future. So I would say it's readily available and it is very, very sustainably harvested."

originalthinkers.com.au/josh-turnbull


Links & Show Notes:

• Neville Smith Forest Products
• Species: Tasmanian Oak
• Article: Neville Smith Southwood Mill
• Drymill
• Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW)
• NSFP – Installation Guidelines
• Book: Timber by the Truckload
• Abelwood Lining
• Woodsmith Engineered Flooring
• Fitzpatrick and Partners Offices in Sydney
• Sustainable Timber Tasmanian (STT)
• PEFC Certification
• Forest Practices Plans
• Article: UTAS Inveresk Library by Wardle
• Article: UTAS River's Edge by Wardle
• Janka Rating

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Timber Processors: Andrew Morgan is Co-Founder of Hydrowood. Hydrowood is a company driven by innovation and sustainability within the timber industry. As a specialist in timber drying and processing, Hydrowood utilises cutting-edge technology to responsibly source and process submerged and salvaged timber, transforming it into premium quality wood products for various applications. Their commitment to environmental responsibility is evident in their practices, ensuring the preservation of valuable timber resources while minimising waste.

" So, it is treasure hunting; whenever we take people to the lake and it's the first time they're there, it is captivating. People will watch it, because there's that mystique, that reveal. So, as that tree comes up, it might be a beautiful blood-red Myrtle, or it might be Huon Pine, or it might be a Celery Top Pine – we extract a number of different species. And so there's always that mystique of what's it going to be next? And it really captures people. And you can sit there for an hour, or two hours, and people are just quite happy watching trees being harvested. It's quite an amazing experience."

originalthinkers.com.au/andrew-morgan


Links & Show Notes:

• Hydrowood
• Hydrowood – story and videos of the process
• Article: Hydrowood - a vast resource reclaimed
• CSAW – The Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood
• Species – Tasmanian Oak
• Species – Myrtle
• Species – Celery Top Pine
• Species – Huon Pine
• Species – Blackwood
• Green Star Ratings
• Article: Limestone House
• Hydrowood | Project – Limestone House
• Article: Parliament House
• Hydrowood | Project – Parliament House
• Article: Innovation House

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Timber Processors: Shawn Britton is Managing Director of Britton Timbers. Britton Timbers is a family-owned and operated Tasmanian business with a long and proud history spanning more than 110 years. Specialising in the sustainable harvesting, processing, and marketing of Tasmanian specialty timbers, they cater to both domestic and international markets. With a focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Britton Timbers offers a wide range of timber products, including high-grade sawlogs, veneer logs, and craftwood, meeting the diverse needs of the timber industry.

"From the forest through to the finished products that we manufacture, waste is critical to minimise, but it's also not looking at certain things as waste, but as opportunities. At the end of the day, sawdust is a product from the logs. So, our local pool is heated with woodchips, and a flower farm up the road, they use our sawdust. We supply the boiler fuel for McCain's Potato Factory. Everything gets utilised, and that's pretty important to us as well."

originalthinkers.com.au/shawn-britton


Links & Show Notes:

• Britton Timbers
• Britton's History
• Article: Tasmanian Veneer
• Species: Tasmanian Blackwood
• Smithton & Circular Head District
• James Fitzpatrick – The Seed House
• The Forest Practices System
• Article: Timber Certification Explained
• PEFC – Forest Certification
• STT – Sustainable Timber Tasmania

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Growers: Justin Baily is a Forest Steward and owner of Baileaf. Baileaf offers tailored solutions designed to help private landowners and trusted partners manage their forests and land in a way that promotes biodiversity, builds community, and enhances their vitality and value for future generations.

" This is particularly relevant to the architectural space because the architect will be in a position to say, not only are we using these materials for these particular inputs, these materials have come from these particular areas, within this farm, this farmer took them down for these reasons, and there's some sort of market differentiation, which can happen.There's provenance. "

originalthinkers.com.au/justin-baily


Links & Show Notes:

• Baileaf
• Private Forest Estate - Native forests and plantations on privately owned land
• The Federal Government Policy to plant a billion trees by 2050
• Tree Alliance
• The Forest Practices Authority
• Greening Australia
• The Australian Carbon Credit Unit Scheme (ACCU)
• PEFC – Forest Certification
• FSC - Forest Certification
• Article: Certification Explained
• Forest Practices Officers

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

The Growers: David White is the Forest Manager for Sustainable Timber Tasmania – a Tasmanian Government Business Enterprise that manages approximately 812,000 hectares of public production forest in sustainable ways.

"My old wildlife professor used to say, forestry is not rocket science. It's ten times more complicated. The misconception, once you go and burn it, that's it, the forest is gone. Well, it simply isn't true; there's a whole set of natural processes, it's evolved over millennia that eucalypt forest burns from time to time and it burns incredibly hot. Animals know how to move away from smoke, and then they know how to recolonise back. Plants have seeds that get ground-stored and then released during a fire, and so the biodiversity comes back and that probably is the biggest misconception – once you've done it, then you can't have it back. Nothing could be further from the truth."

originalthinkers.com.au/david-white


Links & Show Notes:

• Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT)
• Forest Practices Authority
• Forest Practices Officers
• Tasmania’s Chief Forest Practices Officer – Anne Chuter
• Fire
• STT Quality Standards for Managing Native Forest
• Seed Zones
• Swift Parrot
• CUSP
• PEFC
• Michael Berger (PEFC) – Podcast Episode
• FSC
• Article: Timber Certification Explained: What you need to know about FSC and Responsible Wood

Episode Sponsor:

• Tasmanian Timber

Marius Myking, Director of Product Design at Snøhetta, is a strategic designer and creative force leading the charge in sustainable design and innovation. With an illustrious career marked by an array of prestigious awards, including the 2021 Dezeen Sustainability Award, Marius leverages his international expertise and strategic insight to connect industry, markets, and technology, creating designs that positively shape our future.

"At Snøhetta, the most important project is Snøhetta itself. We believe that we can change the world through architecture and design; architecture and design are of the most important tools to evolve society, to evolve behaviour, and to learn from – and sometimes we're able to gain a big impact and sometimes a smaller one. But, always pushing ourselves to explore, to get even better."

originalthinkers.com.au/marius-myking

Links & Show Notes:

• Snøhetta
• Library of Alexandria
• Ikea
• Ingvar Kamprad
• The Academy of Arts in Bergen
• Asak Flyt (Norwegian outdoor pavers)
• Sintef (research company)
• The La Crosette (Cannes Promenade)
• Studios of Snøhetta
• Dovre Mountains
• Hosted by Claire Bennett
• Produced by Simon Brooke

Episode Sponsors:

• Tasmanian Timber
• Cusp Building Solutions