This trend comes at a time when our collective awareness of timber’s powerhouse credentials in carbon sequestration and storage is helping inform choices. Combined with innovative processing methods that are extending timbers bounds for construction applications, and Wood First policies around the nation, use of this Ultimate Renewable material is rightfully on the rise.
The emerging research in timbers biophilic properties is not telling us anything we haven’t intrinsically always known – that humans are happier and healthier with wood around them. But it’s great to see that patriotism is also coming to the fore.
Jon Goulder said it best: “As my international market and recognition grew, I found I wanted to use my local product. If I’m showing work in Milan or New York as an Australian, why would I want to use timber from another country?”
Jon started to use Tasmanian Blackwood and says he just fell in love with it.
“It was beautiful. And it felt good to use a native species. I feel an amazing connection to Australia… I’m patriotic. We’ve got access to the most beautiful timbers in the world. Tasmanian Timbers are most definitely at the top of what Australia has to offer. I can’t see myself using any other timbers for the rest of my career.”
The Innate Collection, a collaboration with Spence & Lyda of furniture using Tasmanian Blackwood and Tasmanian Oak, was nominated for an INDE award this week amongst tough competition. They wanted to create something that is Innately Australian.
Patriotism was also a driver of the materials choice for James Fitzpatrick in The Seed House. Tasmanian-born, James always knew he would feature Tasmanian Blackwood strongly in the house. Blackwood shines in the heart of the home, showing off its unique grain and character across the entry hall and the kitchen, which was just nominated for a Sub-Zero Wolf award.
“When you walk into a timber building it just feels beautiful, it feels warm, it feels inviting in the detail. How often do you hear a person say, ‘look at this lovely aluminium window or glass table.’; it’s an inherent touch of nature that we all really love as humans,” says Fitzpatrick.
The Blackwood and Tasmanian Oak for Innate and The Seed House were supplied by Britton Timbers.
With distribution Centres in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, and distributors in South Australia and Western Australia, Britton’s is Australia’s primary distributor of Tasmanian timbers to the Australian Marketplace.
Born in Tasmania, the Britton’s brand, despite being Australia-wide and supplying more than 50 species from around the world, is synonymous with Tasmanian timber.
Having commenced operations in 1907, Britton’s have been sustainably producing Tasmanian Timber for over a century.
With their longevity in the marketplace, Tasmanian timbers are proven for their durability, stability and workability for furniture, flooring, joinery, internal claddings, lining boards, architectural fit-out and shop fit-out.
It’s exciting to see these iconic Australian species quietly claiming their rightful place in their home country, at the award-winning end of Australian design.
With the likes of Jon Goulder and Fitzpatrick+Partners leading the way, we predict this quiet resurgence of Tasmanian timber will soon become a roar.
Contact a Britton’s timber expert to explore how Tasmanian timber can transform your next project.
