Timber Design Society Series 2025 | 3

As building designers, we are used to conceptualising and designing buildings using load paths where bending forces dominate, passing through slabs and beams to columns and walls. Whilst this is useful in many cases, often more efficient structural forms enable us to do more with less - timber is inherently versatile and is well suited to create an array of structural forms beyond the traditional post and beam type construction. This presentation will focus on the design process of a series of innovative timber structures from abroad; whilst the case studies referenced relate to specific community and religious projects, the design processes are relevant to a broad range of structures which have relevance here in New Zealand, where there are an increasing number of specialist timber fabricators and designers coupled with a tradition of innovation in engineering. Speaker bio: Peter is a design led structural engineer with Beca in New Zealand,…