Geometry and structure: using timber in contemporary shell construction | Peter Corbett | April 2025

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, having previously worked in the United Kingdom since the start of his career around 20 years ago. He has always had a passion for timber design and innovation and has been fortunate to have worked on several high-profile projects with leading architects, winning numerous awards in the process. Career highlights include working on a series of innovative timber structures including Stroud Chapel and the Abba Auditorium in the United Kingdom. In 2013 he co-founded Corbett and Tasker which became a busy and award-winning practice, based primarily in London, with a focus on design led structures, subsequently merging it with Whitby Wood. He now lives in Wellington, New Zealand with his young family, where his passion for efficient and elegant timber structures continues within the Beca structural team.