2025 Australian Timber Design Competition
This inaugural national competition challenged student teams across Australia to design sustainable, future-focused timber athlete accommodation for a hypothetical Olympic Village—balancing innovation, constructability, environmental performance, and cultural consideration. Despite balancing full-time study and short timeframes, the submissions that came through were thoughtful, creative, and deeply impressive.
The following three teams have been selected as finalists and will be heading to the World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE) 2025 in Brisbane to present their work and connect with global industry leaders.
Finalist teams – highlights from the judges
Team 2
This submission stood out for its in-depth structural thinking and innovative use of timber systems. Judges highlighted the team’s enthusiasm for circular construction, thoughtful material selection, and modular design principles. Their approach to timber-only construction sparked engaging conversations around sustainable assembly and future reuse. Judge Grant Maher said that this team’s project was beautifully researched and technically detailed. He continued that it was a confident and creative expression of what timber can achieve.
Team 2 members: Luke Hammond (University of Tasmania), Jessica Tuttle (University of Queensland), and Kan Peanpanich (Queensland University of Technology)
Team 3
Praised for their holistic and well-resolved approach, this team delivered a compelling master plan that balanced community, adaptability, and sustainability. Judges appreciated the project’s flexibility over time—transforming high-density athlete housing into long-term, affordable homes—and its sensitive integration of cultural and environmental values. Judge Sam Charles-Ginn said that this team’s submission had a comprehensive design with strong planning, beautiful visuals, and strong thinking. The judges agreed that the team clearly worked together to deliver something impactful.
Team 3 members: Charlie Bradley-Tasser (University of Queensland), Tamara Birtasevic (Queensland University of Technology), and Rea Li (University of Sydney)
Team 5
Judges admired this team’s emphasis on cultural integration, modularity, and accessible construction methods. The concept proposed the use of lightweight, easy-to-source materials, and reflected strong social and environmental values, with potential for scalable impact. Judge Jonathan Evans said that this team presented a thoughtful and creative idea. He mentioned that there was care put into this design—and that it presented a lot of potential to explore further.
Team 5 members: Michael Moore (Queensland University of Technology), Akanksha Agarwal (University of Sydney), Caitlin Muller (Queensland University of Technology), and Karen Rondeau (University of Queensland).
What is next for the finalists
Each finalist team will receive a travel bursary and full sponsorship to attend WCTE 2025, where they’ll showcase their ideas to a global audience of design, engineering, and construction professionals.
The judges and steering committee were unanimous in their praise for the teams’ creativity, dedication, and collaboration. Whether it was tackling modular housing, cultural sensitivity, or low-carbon construction methods, all three submissions showed that Australia’s emerging design talent is ready to take timber to new heights.
Congratulations to all our finalists—and thank you to everyone who participated. You’re helping shape the future of timber in the built environment.
A special thank you to our judges
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our 2025 judging panel: Grant Maher, Jonathan Evans, Steph Wyeth, Katie Fowden, and Sam Charles-Ginn. Their expertise, thoughtful feedback, and generous time helped shape this competition into a valuable learning experience for all involved. Their diverse perspectives across architecture, engineering, industry, and urban planning made for a rich and rewarding selection process.