The Centre for Sustainable Architecture with Wood (CSAW) is a strategic, multidisciplinary, industry-focused research and education group centred within the University of Tasmania’s School of Architecture and Design.
Working across the disciplines of Architecture, Engineering and Design, it aspires to be a national leader in sustainable building design and construction with timber and wood products. It builds on the School of Architecture and Design’s commitment to addressing the imperatives of ecological sustainability and social responsibility.
Our Aim
CSAW aims to foster the use of timber and wood products as building materials that are efficient, economic, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible.
To achieve this, CSAW acts to:
- Provide high quality research, development, and extension (RD&E) services and educational opportunities to the building design professions, timber and wood products industry and the wider community.
- Be effective in its collaborations across disciplines, and with the professions, industry, and other research organisations.
- Adapt and change in response to varying industry and professional needs.
- Build increased resilience in regional communities in Tasmania and nationally.
Our team works to maintain and increase confidence in the use of timber and wood products in design with professionals, producers and others in the specification and supply chain throughout Australia, and particularly in Tasmania.
Our Approach
Established in 1996, CSAW’s ongoing success is largely due to its open and collaborative approach to timber-focused RD&E project, education, and affiliated activities.
Our team works with our research and industry collaborators to develop technologies, processes and expertise across the wood products and construction supply chain.
We work closely with our clients to develop relevant RD&E responses to their needs. Our multidisciplinary team of specialist architects, engineers, industrial designers, and technical specialists brings unique experiences and approaches to the problem solving that delivers usable research results.
Collaboration
CSAW maintains collaborative relationships with industry, external research organisations in Australia and internationally, and with colleagues throughout the University of Tasmania. It has active integration with the UTAS Schools of Engineering and of Information and Communication Technology, and the Discipline of Biological Sciences.