In the news

  1. Canterbury Earthquakes Royal Commision Interim Report - Section 3.5 New Building Technologies 
    Alternative building technologies have been and are being developed, which enable the damage sustained in major earthquakes to be reduced. The Royal Commission has received and published on its website a report entitled ‘Base Isolation and Damage-Resistant Technologies for Improved Seismic Performance of Buildings’, which has been prepared for it by Professor Andrew Buchanan and others of the University of Canterbury. The Royal Commission considers that structural engineers and architects involved in the rebuild of Christchurch should be aware of the content of the report. It is likely that adoption of one or more of these new technologies would result in improved seismic performance of new buildings in Christchurch. Read More


  2. The new Aviation Display Hall at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) was a winner in the Sustainability and Clever Solutions categories in the NZ Timber Awards and was Highly Commended in the Commercial Engineering Excellence category. Read More


  3. EXPAN Structural Timber Solutions are proving their worth in practice. The new technologies are the result of a unique partnership between the academic arena (Canterbury University) and the research and commercial group, the Structural Timber Innovation Company (STIC). Read more

  4. Building the biggest development project in Auckland Zoo's 88-year history had unique challenges, with contractors in fluorescent vests attracting animals who sometimes identify the bright jackets with being fed. Read more

  5. New earthquake-resistant building technology must be used in Christchurch's rebuild to protect public safety and avoid more building failures, an international earthquake engineering expert says. The call was backed by Acting Economic Development Minister and Forestry Minister David Carter, who said talks were under way with the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to ensure all those involved in the city's rebuild knew about the safer techniques. Read More

  6. The First Light House comprised five separate modules which were joined together, firstly in Wellington and later after transportation in Washington DC. A total of 60m2 of flooring was used in the five modules which incorporated HySPAN™ joists at 600mm centres to support the Flexus™ floor, which at 50mm was thicker than normal to achieve the maximum thermal mass benefits.  Read More

  7. As Christchurch grapples with the enormous task of restoring the earthquake- ravaged city, a battle is brewing in the building materials sector over the Government’s leaning towards timber for the rebuild. Jenny Keown reports. AS ALL New Zealanders know the deadly February 22 earthquake in Christchurch and subsequent aftershocks have caused widespread damage that will require a $15 billion rebuild.  Read More

  8. A British architect who has built the world’s tallest wooden building is calling on wood to be part of the Christchurch rebuild. Knox Church is one of the few survivors of the Christchurch earthquakes, and wood is what held the brick and mortar in place. Bricks were cracked and broken in September and tumbled down in February but the Methodist Church is still standing. Read More