What’s next for mass timber
Senior Associate Todd Martin, AIA, recently attended the 10th International Mass Timber Conference (IMTC) in Portland, Oregon, where industry leaders gathered to discuss how far mass timber has come and where it is headed next.
Just a decade ago, mass timber was considered an emerging construction type in the United States. Now, it has scaled into a viable structural system capable of competing with traditional concrete and steel solutions.
Key Highlights
- Many project case studies presented a hybrid structural system utilizing mass timber elements along with steel and/or concrete components, pairing efficiency with optimization of wood mass timber components.
- 7- to 12-story mid-rise buildings can be the sweet spot for mass timber efficiency and optimization, in part due to the newer IBC 2024 codes allowing for 100% of exposed mass timber ceilings (CLT and DLT) in construction type IV-B, which allows mass timber construction up to 12 stories.
- Sophisticated computer software driven by AI is being utilized for mass timber optimization through design. Whether opting for traditional design, bid, build, or design-assist with suppliers from day one, the optimization of timber structures helps assure designers and developers that timber is deployed as efficiently as possible in the most cost-effective manner across the project.
Regional Applications
- Mass timber CLT (cross-laminated timber) slabs used with wood stud bearing walls in type III-A (stick-built) construction can reduce floor-to-floor heights compared to traditional wood trusses – particularly useful where height-restrictive zoning laws drive development.
- For office-to-residential conversions, consider an overbuild of mass timber similar to 80 M Street SE, but in a multifamily application. Benefits include:
- Exposed wood ceilings offset finish costs and create both a top-of-market penthouse unit and an amenity experience.
- Lighter wood structural material can translate to less cost for the reduction or elimination of strengthening of existing footings, foundations, and columns.
- Mass timber structures install quickly and can reduce overall schedule duration.
Our work at 3300 Whitehaven Street NW serves as a prime example of a hybrid mass timber structure. By integrating timber with complementary structural systems, the project leverages the benefits of wood while maintaining performance and flexibility, demonstrating how mass timber can be thoughtfully deployed in real-world conditions.
Learn more about our mass timber research and other recent projects here.