Sponsored by Seagate Mass Timber

Moderator:
Craig Curtis · Chief Architect · Katerra

Microsoft Silicon Valley: A Case Study in Innovative and Large-Scale Mass Timber Construction

— Tim Morshead · Partner · WRNS Studio

At 640,000 square feet, the Microsoft Silicon Valley (MSV) campus is one of the largest CLT structures to date. The scale of the project and ambitious sustainability goals make MSV an example of how companies can use innovative solutions to reduce their impact to the environment, with a particular emphasis on reducing carbon. This case study will demonstrate how mass timber can be utilized to achieve performance goals. The MSV structure can be a model for the use of new, sustainable building materials. Using CLT resulted in design innovation that can be replicated. In order to support the large, contiguous floorplates that the client envisioned, the integrated team designed a composite CLT-Concrete slab that allows the CLT panels to span further between beams and columns, creating more open interiors. The concrete topping slab functions as the structural diaphragm and conceals power and data systems, integrating trades into one structural solution. Individual connection details were designed. Education was a core component of the project. Most trades and general contractors are unaccustomed to handling and building with mass timber, from material delivery to completion. Before construction began, the team built a mock-up of a project-specific mass timber frame structure for the sub-trades to learn how to handle the material in the field and maximize its utility. The CLT “field-lab” remains in active use, with almost every trade using it for practice mock-ups. Similarly, a process for meeting with jurisdictions having authority to educate them about mass timber construction will be shared.

Tim came to WRNS Studio in 2012 with experience in educational, athletic, and campus planning projects. Tim studied both Molecular Biology and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado before receiving a Master of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a recipient of the AIA Certificate of Merit and contributed to A Global History of Architecture, a widely used introductory textbook for architecture programs. A native of Los Angeles, with its hidden network of concrete flood washes and its more conspicuous web of interstate, Tim understands the built environment as a network of layered systems, visible and invisible. He seeks the poetry in these overlapping systems at their different scales: city, block, campus, building, infrastructure. Tim’s practice is informed by inquiry into the constraints that format our construction culture, believing that the role of an architect is to amplify moments of distinction within each individual project and the built environment at large.

The Spar — The Feasibility of a 475 Foot Tall Timber Hybrid Tower

— Kristin Slavin · Architect · Path Architecture

Hear Path Architecture discuss their latest work on The Spar, a 475 foot tall hybrid timber tower in Portland, Oregon. The team, including Fast + Epp and Kaiser Group Inc., expands their knowledge from Carbon12 and Brock Commons to tackle the next scale in mass timber construction. The feasibility study explores the structural, architectural, cost, and constructability implications to using mass timber as a primary structural material at this scale. Details such as how the team incorporated unique considerations, including the shrinkage of wood over the height of the building, how the much lighter building reacts in a seismic event, and how a mass timber hybrid tower compares in cost with a concrete alternative, will be discussed. The Spar shows that mass timber can be a better alternative to concrete skyscrapers through multiple lenses, and leads the way in the progression of tall wood buildings.

As an architect, Kristin Slavin brings strong discipline and an eye for detail to every project. She has worked on all scales of projects, from large-scale institutional projects to single-family homes. Kristin served as the Project Architect on Carbon12, an eight-story mass timber building, currently the tallest in the US. She is currently the development manager on The Canyons, a 6 story mass timber barrier free apartment building, and served as the Project Architect on the Kartini Clinic, the anchor tenant improvement in the Radiator Building. She has spoken at numerous mass-timber conferences in the US, Canada, and Japan. Kristin is leading the feasibility study for The Spar, a 475 foot tall mass timber hybrid tower, and continues to push the boundaries with her work in mass timber.

Building Our Cities for Future Generations

— Nicolas Demers-Stoddart · Architect, Partner · Provencher_Roy

Presentation of various constraints that arose during key steps in the project, as well as solutions developed to resolve them. The Arbora project, one of the first residential projects of its kind in Canada, mobilized the creative efforts of all its stakeholders, the majority of whom started out knowing very little about CLT construction. Regarding engineering and project management, as well as regulations, the project allowed for the development of work and construction methods that make it a reference guide for this type of construction in Quebec.

Nicolas Demers-Stoddart joined the Provencher_Roy team in 2011 and has since played a top-tier design role. He has worked as design leader on numerous projects, including Gare Viger and the reception pavilion of the Québec National Assembly, the latter the winner of an Award of Merit at the 2016 Canadian Architect Awards of Excellence. He was also involved in the design of the Grand Quai Maritime Terminal and Alexandra Pier; Carré Saint-Laurent; and curated the 1:X exhibition at the Université de Montréal (UdeM). He has taught architecture masters design studio and industrial design at UdeM, Engineering in emergencies at Polytechnique and is a visiting critic at the McGill School of Architecture. Before signing on with Provencher_Roy, Nicolas worked at OMA New York, most notably on the design of the Marina Abramovic Institute for the Preservation of Performance Art (MAI) and Cai Studio.

Sponsored by Sansin

Moderator:
Pat Layton · Professor of Forestry · Director, Wood Utilization + Design Institute · Clemson

Moisture Monitoring of Early Cross Laminated Timber Buildings Erected in the United States

— Sam Zelinka · Project Leader, Building and Fire Sciences · U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory

The use of mass timber structural products (such as glulam and cross laminated timber) in commercial buildings is increasing in prevalence around the world. The use of these larger wood members poses new concerns for moisture induced decay. The exposure of mass timber products to the environment during construction can result in wetting of the wood. In order to better understand the moisture conditions that mass timber framing systems are subjected to, moisture monitoring studies are being performed on some of the first mass timber buildings being constructed in the United States. This talk will summarize data collected on in-service moisture content readings measured on mass timber buildings in Madison, WI, Portland OR, Denver, CO, Fayetteville, AR, and Clemson, SC.

Sam Zelinka is the Project Leader of the Building and Fire Sciences research work unit at the US Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory. His team researches how fire and moisture can negatively affect wood buildings so that more resilient wood structures can be designed to withstand fire and moisture exposures. Dr. Zelinka obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2009. His graduate work, on fastener corrosion in wood structures, earned him the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers. Dr. Zelinka’s personal research interests include fundamental investigations of thermodynamics and kinetics of water in wood, including diffusion of water and other molecules through the wood cell wall. His pioneering research on these topics has transformed wood science’s understanding of water affected wood damage mechanisms.

Design and Experimental Performance of a Cantilever CLT Diaphragm

— Weichiang Pang · Professor · Clemson University

This presentation discusses (1) a method for engineers to determine the design strength of cross-laminated timber (CLT) diaphragms, and (2) the actual response of a cantilever CLT diaphragm tested in full-scale at Clemson University. The design capacity and deflection of a 20ft × 20ft cantilever CLT diaphragm was determined in accordance to the provisions in the U.S. standard for wood design, the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS). To validate the performance of the as-designed diaphragm, a full-scale 20ft × 20ft cantilever CLT diaphragm was constructed at Clemson University to study the in-plane shear response experimentally. The diaphragm consisted of three glulam beams and ten 5ft ×10 ft CLT panels. The joints of the CLT panels, supported by glulam beams, were fastened using screws (CLT-to-glulam connection). The unsupported joints of CLT panels were fastened together using surface splines (CLT-to-CLT connection using 6-in wide, 1-in thick plywood and 16d common nails). The test program consisted of two parts. First, a non-destructive test was performed to determine the elastic shear stiffness (Ga). Next, a destructive test was carried out using a displacement-controlled reversed cyclic loading protocol to determine the hysteresis behavior and the ultimate capacity (peak load) of the diaphragm. The target audience for this presentation is building design professionals such as engineers and architects. The main takeaway will be a practical method to calculate the shear strength and stiffness of a CLT diaphragm supported by the results of a full-scale CLT diaphragm test.

Dr. Weichiang Pang is a Professor of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. He is the current chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Technical Committee on Wood and a member of the advisory board to the South Carolina Department of Insurance. His research focus on structural performance of wood structures and risk assessment of structures under natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes. He served as an associate editor for the ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, handling technical papers relevant to wood structures. Dr. Pang has authored and co-authored more than 150 journal and conference papers.

Expanding the Market for Mass Timber Buildings Through Research

— Marjan Popovski · Principal Scientist · FPInnovations

High strength-to-weight ratio, ease of assembly, and good environmental performance have allowed for greater use of mass timber products in residential and non-residential construction in Canada. FPInnovations has initiated a number of research projects to accelerate the intake of mass timber components and systems in residential and non-residential applications. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the current research portfolio of the Building Systems Group at FPInnovations related to structural, seismic, fire and durability performance of mass timber components and structural systems. The presentation will also provide an update on the code acceptance of mass timber components and systems in Canada.

Marjan Popovski is Principal Scientist in the Building Systems Group at FPInnovations. He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Wood Science, at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and at the Centre for Integrated Wood Design, at the University of Northern British Columbia. Marjan has 30-year research and technical experience in seismic performance of buildings, and he is one of the leading researchers in the area of seismic performance of wood structures. He is an author and co-author of over 180 scientific and technical publications, including textbook chapters, the Canadian Technical Guide for the Design of Tall Wood Buildings, the Canadian and the US CLT Handbooks, and the Canadian Technical Guide for Mid-rise Wood Frame Construction. He is part of the research team that has developed the seismic design factors for platform-type CLT buildings in Canada and the US. He is a member of Technical Committee of the Canadian Standard for Engineering Design in Wood (CSAO86) and sits on various Canadian, US and ISO Subcommittees and Task Groups. He has also served as a member of the National Building Code of Canada, Standing Committee on Earthquake Design (2009-2014).

Sponsored by Hilti North America

Moderator:
David Barber · Principal | Fire · Arup

Mass Timber and Fire: Code Applications, Fire Ratings and Construction Type Impacts

— Ricky McLain · PE, SE, Senior Technical Director – Tall Wood · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

Designing mass timber buildings for fire resistance and life safety involves a number of design considerations. Fire-resistance ratings, allowable use of exposed timber, minimum timber sizes, flame spread index and smoke developed index are all design criteria. Additional topics such as fire protection of connections and penetrations through rated mass timber assemblies also need to be included in the overall fire-design program. The 2021 IBC also includes new requirements for fire protection and resistance of mass timber in taller structures, and the choice of construction type has a significant impact on many of the above considerations. This presentation will provide an update on how all of these factors play into the fire design of mass timber structures, from low-rise to tall, and how to optimize designs and design methods (calculation-based vs. testing-based) with the dual goals of cost efficiency and code compliance.

Ricky is WoodWorks’ in-house expert on tall wood buildings, providing analysis and guidance on architectural, fire and life safety, and structural design topics related to tall mass timber projects. He supports the AEC community both directly and collaboratively with WoodWorks Regional Directors, and guides the development of education and resources related to tall wood buildings in the U.S. Prior to this emphasis, Ricky’s role encompassed all building types and wood systems. He also has extensive experience in lead engineer roles related to structural design, project management and construction administration. Ricky is very active as a member of numerous committees and councils related to building design and is the Executive Director of the Structural Engineers Association of Vermont.

Fire Performance of Timber-Concrete-Composite Floors

— Erica C. Fischer · PhD, PE, Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering · Oregon State University

Mass timber buildings often use concrete or gypsum floor toppings for acoustic, vibration, and fire performance, and engineers have developed methods to use the concrete and timber composites to increase the strength and stiffness of the floors and diaphragms. However, there is limited data on the fire performance of these floor systems, or on the slip modulus of the shear connectors used to develop composite action between the mass timber and concrete. The presenter of this session is implementing a testing program to understand the fundamental behavior of timber-concrete-composite floors in order to develop design criteria. The program, which includes CLT and NLT systems in use across the U.S., consists of: (1) large-scale furnace testing of timber-concrete composite floors, and (2) direct shear tests to quantify the behavior of the composite connectors. This presentation will summarize these experiments, their results, and a design procedure using the data.

Dr. Fischer’s research interests revolve around innovative approaches to improve the resilience and robustness of structural systems affected by natural and man-made hazards. This includes performance-based design approaches of structural systems to decrease the environmental impact of the built environment on the natural environment. Dr. Fischer’s focus is on steel and composite systems and connections. These research interests are implemented through both large-scale experimental testing and numerical modeling approaches. Dr. Fischer is a member of a number of committees including the ASCE/SEI Fire Protection Committee and ASCE/SEI Sustainability Committee. She has been a member of a number of post-earthquake reconnaissance team missions including Haiti (2010), Napa (2014), and Italy (2016), and after the 2018 Camp Fire.

Performance-Based Fire Engineering for Mass Timber

— Matthew Smith · P.Eng., Senior Engineer – Fire & Structural · Entuitive

One of the biggest misconceptions about timber buildings is that they do not perform well in fire. Although mass timber elements can be encapsulated in drywall or a similar material to achieve the required fire-resistance rating, most designers and owners prefer to leave the timber elements exposed. Due to their inherent size, mass timber elements can in many cases be engineered to achieve the required fire resistance by using the initial charred region to provide insulation to the timber beneath. While building codes generally recognize at least two prescriptive means of demonstrating fire resistance of exposed mass timber elements (char calculations and fire-tested assemblies), a third option not often considered in the US is performance-based fire engineering. This presentation will explore the design aspects of this approach and how it can be implemented on mass timber projects.

A fire and structural engineer at Entuitive in Toronto, Canada, Matthew leads Entuitive’s fire engineering group providing a range of fire safety services from code consulting to performance-based fire engineering. He received his Master’s in Applied Science from Carleton University in Fire Safety Engineering and his Master’s in Engineering from the University of Toronto with a focus on structural resilience. He has provided fire engineering services on a range of complex projects in Canada and the United States, including applying performance-based approaches to innovative systems such as volumetric modular buildings and mass timber. He is currently a member of the ASCE Fire Protection Committee, the CSCE Fire Behaviour and Safety of Structures Committee, and the working group for Annex K, Structural Design for Fire Conditions, in CSA S16.

Sponsored by Nordic Structures

Moderator:
Stephen J. Cavanaugh · AIA, LEED AP, Design Leader | Principal · DLR Group

You’re Doing it Wrong: How to Get the Mainstream Excited About Mass Timber

— Tim Gokhman · Managing Director · New Land Enterprises

This presentation will explore how the developer of Ascent, a 23-story mass timber project proposed for Milwaukee, is inspiring mainstream interest in tall wood buildings—and how others can do the same. Its premise is that mass timber has the potential to become the Tesla of the construction industry. Like Tesla, mass timber offers benefits in terms of aesthetics, performance, economics and sustainability. And like the Tesla, mass timber has the opportunity for mass appeal because of attributes that include but are not limited to its carbon footprint. With an emphasis on innovation, safety, biophilic design and economics, this presentation will show how Ascent has inspired conversations—through media articles, among legislators, and internationally—that are helping to bring mass timber to the mainstream, as well as tips on how to properly manage conversations about mass timber.

As Managing Director, Tim Gokhman oversees development, acquisition and management for New Land Enterprises, a pioneering boutique development firm specializing in mixed-use residential and commercial real estate. Founded in 1993, New Land has developed ~$500M of real estate across 26 projects. A vertically-integrated company, it currently owns and manages over 1,500 apartments and 200,000 square feet of commercial space. New Land has a long history of firsts, whether it be a new material or technology, design, or neighborhood. It was the first to use light-gauge steel for residential high-rise construction, developed Milwaukee’s first micro-unit apartment building and its first food hall, and helped create Black Cat Alley, a defunct city alley turned public art space. With these experiences, Tim has focused the company on experiential design. This, in turn, led to a deep interest in mass timber, which the firm believes is the construction material of the future.

A Developer’s Guide to North American Mass Timber Projects

— Eloïse Allsop · Senior Structural Engineer · Fast + Epp

While mass timber is becoming increasingly popular, there is still some reticence within the North American development community to adopt this form of construction. This presentation will use case study examples to address myths that may be stopping developers from considering mass timber as a viable option. Delivered by a structural engineer with considerable experience, it will guide attendees through the process of taking a mass timber project to fruition—from procurement to early decisions that are key to its ultimate success. Discussion will include lessons learned from the example projects and factors that inspired their developers to pursue wood. The goal of this session is to give attendees the knowledge they require to initiate their own mass timber projects.

Eloïse Allsop is a Senior Structural Engineer at Fast + Epp in Seattle. With over 10 years’ experience in engineering, she has managed structural projects ranging from small, moving art installations to large metro stations with teams spanning multiple offices and geographies. More recently, Eloïse has worked on numerous mass timber buildings in the United States. She is a Chartered Structural Engineer in the United Kingdom and has a postgraduate certificate in BIM technical management.

Lost in the Woods: Things No One Tells You about Mass Timber

— Samir Mokashi · Principal & Code Analyst · Code Unlimited

Many jurisdictions, building owners and architects are starting on the path to mass timber without full knowledge of the material limitations or prescriptive requirements of the new code regulations. This can result in steep lessons at several phases in the journey. With an emphasis on case study projects, this presentation will cover practical applications of the code, the need to create a collaborative team that includes the Authority Having Jurisdiction, and why early identification of alternate provisions or engineering judgments can make the difference between maintaining momentum and a stagnant phase of construction. Intended to help attendees get the most from these pioneering materials, discussion will include changes to the 2021 IBC, aesthetic options, seismic considerations, fire ratings, concealed space restrictions, penetration seals, constructability considerations, and design coordination.

With over 30 years of regulatory experience, Samir has successfully led design teams through highly demanding programs, complex designs, challenging budgets, fast track schedules, and rigorous requirements. The advantage of having worked throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and the Middle East is evident in the projects, large and small, that Samir leads or consults on. He has been involved in code development at local and national levels, and authored several code alternates and variances that resolved multi-disciplinary issues, simply and effectively. He has a unique ability to deliver simple and elegant solutions to problems that stump others. The depth of his knowledge and strong communication skills have earned him wide respect from city and state officials, as well as designers, developers and architects. He is a sought-after speaker, accredited educator, and a highly valued mentor to young professionals. In addition, Samir’s firm was a sponsor for the Oregon early adoption of mass timber into the code.

Sponsored by Seagate Mass Timber

Moderator:
Tracy Johns · Program Officer – Natural Carbon Capture · Climate and Land Use Alliance

Join Tracy Johns of the Climate and Land Use Alliance as she leads a roundtable discussion on the important topics of mass timber, climate change, and forests.

Roundtable Guests

John Dalzell · Sr. Architect for Sustainable Development · Boston Planning & Development Agency

John Klein · Chief Executive Officer · Generate

Cara Eckholm · Associate Director, Buildings · Sidewalk Labs

Mark Wishnie · Director, Global Forestry and Wood Products · The Nature Conservancy

Sponsored by Sansin

Moderator:
Chris Evans · Mass Timber Director · Swinerton Mass Timber

Classing It Up: Mass Timber Applications for Class A Commercial Developments

— Tate Chandler · Project Executive · XL Construction

Mass timber has been applied across many different construction typologies, from education to hospitality, each with its own demands and requirements. From a commercial developer standpoint, however, the difference between conventional construction and mass timber is significant. In our presentation, we’ll discuss lessons learned from a recent project that will set a new standard for mass timber design in this building category. Learn about the five key components that drive the design and delivery of mass timber Class A commercial buildings from both the contractors’ and architects’ perspective.

An XL team member for over 15 years, Tate Chandler has earned a solid reputation and satisfied clients in advanced technology, life sciences, and commercial development. He’s delivered projects ranging from clean rooms, to research labs, chemical labs, and now, Mass Timber structures. Tate provides executive oversight during preconstruction and construction, making sure his team is adding value at every step. He’s also become known for mentoring and supporting his teams by ensuring they have all the resources they need to successfully deliver projects. Tate is the Project Executive on XL’s Class A Mass Timber project located in South San Francisco.

Wood, an Urban Innovation Material

— Vincent Lavergne · Architect & Urban planner · Vincent Lavergne Architecture Urbanisme

This presentation will address the relationship between architecture and the construction process of cities with a special focus on wood as an innovative urban material. For the past decades, contemporary wood construction has emerged and several recent projects have proved to provide highly relevant solutions regarding both the urbanistic and environmental transitions our cities now go through. Its flexibility and low-carbon impact qualities, as well as the shortened construction times it allows, makes wood construction a building technique fit to meet complex urban systems issues. We will reflect, through many examples, on how wood construction can inoculate architecture with more flexibility, inclusiveness, and diversity and how those projects can participate in creating virtuous urban sustainability.

Vincent Lavergne is an architect, urban planner and the founding partner of the office VLAU. He was born in Paris in 1982 and graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture of Paris La Villette. He co-founded the Nadau Lavergne office in 2008 and the Vincent Lavergne office in 2017 in Paris. In 2012, he won both the Albums des Jeunes Architectes award and the Palmarès des Jeunes Urbanistes award. Leading a team of ten, he takes on many projects both in and outside France. Vincent Lavergne works on the relationships between architecture and the cities’ generative process, but also tackles the political, economic and social phenomena that generate and condition it. In this framework, his design process articulates architecture and urban planning on different scales, while focusing on the adaptation of urban contexts to the new imperatives of sustainable cities’ development. Alongside his architecture practice, Vincent Lavergne carries out various research and education activities. In 2009, he started giving lectures at the ENSAPLV and teaching history courses about the city of Paris’ building process. From 2015 up until now, he has been teaching Architecture Project at l’ENSAPLV. In 2015, he became involved as an editorialist writer in Tous urbains, an urban planning magazine directed by Philippe Panerai and Olivier Mongin. He is also the president of the Passerelle V organization, which helps young architects entering the job market and supervises their professional training.

The Demonstrated Benefits of Authentic Mass Timber Structures for Mid-rise Commercial Projects: Built Examples from Australia

— Jonathan Evans · Principal · Tzannes Associates

Australia is known for approaching architecture with a clear and honest expression. Two completed mass timber projects designed by Tzannes and delivered by Lendlease epitomise this approach, with the workplace environment a stripped down and pragmatic expression of the mass timber structure. Responding specifically to its unique site, the pair of buildings are designed as a distinctive new element in the city and make a tangible positive contribution to the public domain. Forming a new streetscape to this urban renewal project, the two sister buildings deliver a warm and engaging front door to the financial precinct. Initially conceived as concrete frame, the design evolved as a landmark mass timber exposed frame to provide a desirable and unique environment for the commercial tenants. These projects were speculative builds rather than bespoke commissions for owners invested in timber, and as such in competition with office space enjoying views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. A dynamic double height colonnade in recycled iron bark timber introduces the architecture, supporting the upper six storeys constructed entirely from mass timber, including floors, columns, walls, roof, lift shafts, stairs and bracing. The buildings explore a new form of beauty, one of unique and integral character with a fully exposed and legible timber structure and no additional layers of finishing materials beyond the natural timber. Sustainability of the project is further enhanced with growing roof meadow, heat exchange with the harbour for chilled beam space cooling, and reuse of hardwood timber from the wharves which stood on the site from the late 1800’s.

Jonathan has been a Design Director of leading Sydney architectural practice Tzannes since ‘98 and leads the company’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions for the built environment. With a keen interest in utilizing the benefits of pre-fabricated mass timber technology supplementing strong passive design strategies, he aims to achieve enduring and inherently sustainable buildings which offer healthy environments for life. Jonathan is particularly adept in the delivery of technically and operationally challenging projects, utilising innovative techniques with traditional materials to achieve a new form of beauty. Two completed projects which Jonathan has been project director include the completed International House and Daramu House at Barangaroo in Sydney, each receiving international recognition for high quality architecture, world best practice sustainability, and innovative construction techniques to celebrate the beautiful character of timber. Awards include: World Architecture Festival Best Use of Certified Timber; World Architecture Network Silver Medal Wood in Architecture and Commercial Building under 50000 sqm; Chicago Anthaeum International Architecture Award; Australian Institute of Architect National Architecture Award.

Sponsored by Hilti North America

Moderator:
Ricky McLain · PE, SE, Senior Technical Director – Tall Wood · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

Market Square: Nine Stories of Type IV-B Mass Timber in Cleveland

— Carl Baldassarra · Principal/Manager – Fire Protection · Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates

Market Square in Cleveland, Ohio, is on track to be one of the first tall mass timber buildings constructed using the new Type IV-B construction criteria, recently approved for the 2021 IBC. In addition to leveraging the allowances of this future code to construct nine stories of mass timber, which hasn’t been prescriptively allowed in previous versions, the project will expose significantly more of the mass timber than the 20% ceiling limits permitted for Type IV-B construction. This presentation by the fire and life safety consultant will explore the project and processes involved in approaching the building department for approval, including the development of a comprehensive fire protection and code-compliance program, enhanced safety features, and additional information presented by the team to gain design conceptual approval from the City of Cleveland Department of Buildings.

Carl Baldassarra is a nationally-known expert in fire protection engineering, including fire/life safety analysis, egress design, fire protection system design and analysis, code consultation, loss investigations, and related services for a wide range of facilities and systems. He was a member of the ICC Ad Hoc Committee on Tall Wood Buildings that developed the language that will be incorporated into the 2021 edition of the IBC. His experience has also involved loss prevention surveys, on-site construction period services, litigation support, and expert testimony in virtually all types of building occupancies.

Tall Mass Timber in the Pacific Northwest: Addressing Seismic and Other Structural Challenges

— Shirley Chalupa · Principal · DCI Engineers

Type IV-C construction, introduced in the 2021 IBC, will allow exposed mass timber structures up to eight stories and 85 feet for residential occupancies. This is seen by some as a “sweet spot” for tall wood buildings as it leverages mass timber’s inherent beauty with its ability to function as exposed structure and finish, while providing the required 2-hour fire-resistance ratings and staying under the 75-foot high-rise threshold. However, exposed, mass timber projects of this scale come with a unique set of structural challenges, especially in high-seismic regions of the country. This presentation by a structural engineer who is working on several of these projects, will explore unique challenges and solutions including structural grid layout and coordination with unit demising walls, connections and associated fire resistance, seismic design of diaphragms and vertical lateral force-resisting systems, consideration of manufacturer capability in panel layout and member sizes, and more.

Shirley’s professional experience on both the west and east coasts makes her a truly valuable resource for the DCI team. With over a dozen years of experience, her project portfolio ranges from high-profile multi-story cultural and governmental projects, to higher education and commercial seismic retrofits. Shirley’s knowledge and expertise, combined with her exceptional skills as a project manager, make her an asset to any design team.

Ascent Milwaukee: Designing the Tallest Mass Timber Building in the United States

— Jason Korb · Principal Architect · Korb + Associates Architects

Ascent Milwaukee is one of the most ambitious mass timber high-rise projects in the U.S. so far—a proposed 23-story, 231-unit mixed-use complex that, while receiving positive indications from the city, continues to wind its way through the approval process. In this presentation, the project architect will provide a first-hand review of the design, which includes a mass timber/concrete hybrid superstructure over a multi-level concrete garage. He’ll discuss the project’s impetus, history, and design process, while offering a candid look at the technical challenges, enhancements for occupant safety, and the design team’s interaction with authorities having jurisdiction.

Jason Korb is the founder and Principal Architect of Korb + Associates Architects. Jason has a 20-year history of designing mixed-use and institutional structures in Wisconsin and around the midwestern United States. He is particularly interested in the power of architecture to help positively affect the lives of those in need. Jason received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Before founding his practice, he worked at Hammel, Green, and Abrahamson, and Workshop Architects.

Sponsored by Nordic Structures

Moderator:
Nick Milestone · Associate Director · William Hare Group

The World’s Largest Timber Building (So Far)

— Gary Caulfield · Project Director · Steeltech Industries

This presentation covers the challenges involved in finalising the design, shop drawings, sequencing, and programming of the Academic Building South, located at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. At the time of writing, this is the world’s largest timber building by volume. Consisting of some 55,000m2 of floor plate and almost 17,000m3 of glulam and CLT over 7 storeys, this is a global first. This case study reviews the challenges and solutions encountered while executing this project. Construction commences January 2020.

Gary Caulfield has been involved in the prefabrication and timber industry over the last 15 years having worked in the UK, UAE, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. He has considerable offsite and Mass Timber experience both in manufacturing, construction management and installation. He has held numerous industry positions with WPMA (NZ) WoodCO (NZ), PrefabNZ (Chairman) and currently sits on the Board of PrefabAUS.

Mass Timber High-Rise Housing: A Vertically Integrated Delivery Model

— Chester Weir · Design Lead · Katerra

Large-scale domestic manufacturing of engineered mass timber, and the recent adoption of tall wood building codes, have created a positive disruption for the building industry, and the ability to design and construct high-rise timber buildings that can outperform traditional building types. Given their high strength-to-weight ratio, opportunities for prefabrication, speed of assembly and sustainability benefits, mass timber buildings are uniquely positioned to meet the growing market demand for tall urban infill housing. However, traditional design and construction approaches cannot fully leverage the inherent efficiencies of this new and innovative construction type. A new delivery method is required, which overlays design, engineering, manufacturing, factory production, and construction, and can enhance efficiency and proficiency on all aspects of modern residential development, while contributing to a sustainable urban future. This presentation outlines the design and delivery considerations to meet market needs through a fully-integrated service and building component approach. As the industry considers new methods to capitalize on this new construction type, this presentation highlight’s one companies’ perspective on opportunities and challenges of such a model, navigating developer preconceptions, architectural ambitions, engineering coordination, manufacturing firsts, assembly logistics and building code challenges from project inception through to owner handoff.

Chester Weir leads design efforts at Katerra for the Mass Timber Component Design Group, developing scalable solutions for mid and high-rise multi-family and commercial projects. His work is focused on the opportunities afforded by tall timber building codes, which have been pro-actively adopted in the Pacific Northwest, where he works. Based in Seattle for over 15 years, Chester has worked for generalist design practices, contributing to civic, institutional, performing arts, and mixed-use projects. Chester received a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Wesleyan University and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

The Value Proposition for Timber Construction Systems

— Laurence Ritchie · Cost and Program Estimator · WoodSolutions

As an independent, non-commercial advisory service the WoodSolutions Mid-rise Advisory Program is exposed to a wide variety of project types, sizes and challenges. Drawing on these experiences and those of several major international builders, the WoodSolutions Cost Engineering Guide provides a comprehensive review of the commonly seen cost impacts of using timber construction systems to build mid-rise buildings. Through both market analysis and several case studies Laurence will introduce the main concepts of this guide, providing a clearer view of where the true value lies in timber construction. This presentation will be suitable for all parties interested to learn more about the costing of timber projects, and what cost consultants need to know before offering an estimate.

With a Master’s degree in Construction Management (Cost Management), experience in tier 1 construction and over a decade working in the property sector, Laurence brings inter-disciplinary knowledge to the WoodSolutions Mid-rise Advisory Program. Drawing on this wholistic understanding Laurence engages in project evaluation and design optimisation services, ultimately requiring the estimation of construction programs and costs. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovation in construction, Laurence sees opportunity for timber systems to change the way we build for the better.

Mass Timber: A UK Perspective

— Andrew Waugh · Founding Director · Waugh Thistleton Architects

Andrew will discuss his many projects in the UK and give his perspectives on mass timber design, construction, and cost.

Andrew is a founding director of Waugh Thistleton Architects, a world leading architecture practice dedicated to designing buildings and places of the highest architectural quality that acknowledge their impact on the environment. Fusing sustainability and design Andrew is a passionate advocate of low carbon construction and encourages clients to look at the beauty and benefits of innovative technologies. He has led the practice on award winning schemes from cinemas to synagogues; social housing to offices and was responsible for the design and delivery of Murray Grove, the project which spearheaded the international movement in tall timber construction and Bushey Cemetery which was shortlisted for the prestigious Stirling Prize in 2018. Andrew continues to research from within the practice. He lectures across the world with a focus on sustainability, timber construction and the future of architecture. Andrew is a visiting Professor Architecture at The University of Sheffield.

Sponsored by Seagate Mass Timber

Moderator:
Kathryn Fernholz · President/CEO · Dovetail Partners

Sustainable Forestry in the Pacific Northwest: A Key to Wood Sourcing for Mass Timber

— Mike Cloughesy · Director of Forestry · Oregon Forest Resources Institute

Many architects, engineers and builders are concerned about the sustainability of the forest management practices used to grow the wood used in their Mass Timber projects. This presentation will review forestry in the Pacific Northwest with a special emphasis on private land forestry that is the source of most timber harvest. Topics covered include silviculture systems, forest regulations, and forest certification systems common in the Pacific Northwest.

Responsible for the development and implementation of OFRI’s forestry education programs for landowners and the general public. Prior to joining OFRI in 2003, Mike served as an OSU Extension Forester and is proud to still be an affiliate faculty member in the OSU College of Forestry. BS degree in Forestry from Iowa State University. Master’s degree in Forest Science from Oregon State University.

Materials Matter

— Thomas Robinson · Principal · LEVER Architecture

LEVER Founder Thomas Robinson will discuss the firm’s focus on utilizing regional material sourcing to drive design, illustrating this approach through the lens of their recent mass timber work in Portland. Highlighted projects will include a campus expansion for Adidas’ North American Headquarters’ that features a hybrid timber and precast concrete structure; a renovation of The Nature Conservancy’s Oregon headquarters which uses certified CLT and wood sourced from conservation sites; and Redfox Commons, an adaptive reuse project that leverages reclaimed timber. These projects demonstrate new possibilities for mass timber construction in the US and beyond.

Thomas Robinson is the Founder of LEVER Architecture, a design practice based in Portland, Oregon. The firm is nationally recognized for material innovation and pioneering work with mass timber construction. LEVER designed Albina Yard, the first building in the US made from domestically fabricated CLT; and their research and testing for the Framework Project led to the first permit to build a wood high-rise in the nation. In 2017, LEVER was named to Architectural Record’s Design Vanguard and the Architectural League of New York’s Emerging Voices. The firm’s work has been published in the Atlantic, New York Times, Surface, and Dwell among others; and was featured in Timber City, an exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC.

Great Alignment: Connecting Working Forests to Mass Timber, and Establishing Productive Dialogue Between Environmental and Business Community on Mass Timber

— Kate Gatto · Vice President, Communications · National Alliance of Forest Owners

In November 2019, NAFO hosted an environmental leadership tour to foster a critical dialogue about natural climate solutions—getting out into the field to look at working forests through the lens of mass timber and overall carbon benefits. NAFO’s goal was to establish an open dialogue between leaders from the environmental community and leaders from the forestry community, and through the tour, it was able to establish relationships, build understanding, and initiate high-level discussion about alignment on climate and carbon objections. Kate will discuss the importance of engaging with key stakeholders, open and transparent dialogue, and fostering better understanding of both environmental and business perspectives when considering mass timber.

Kate Gatto leads NAFO’s advocacy communications, working to provide a voice inside the Beltway for the private families, businesses and organizations that own and manage forestland across the country. A member of the forestry community herself, Kate knows from her own family experience that it takes a clear vision, a significant investment, and a lot of love and patience to grow a tree. Kate joined NAFO in 2017 from Hill+Knowlton Strategies, where she spent more than 10 years leading national advocacy and reputation building campaigns for a variety of organizations, campaigns and businesses. Kate holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. She then earned her Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of South Carolina.

Sponsored by Sansin

Moderator:
Ralph Austin · President · Seagate Mass Timber

Mass Plywood Panel Multi-Family in the Bay Area

— Scott MacLellan · Principal · Gurnet Point

Project One, a four-story multi-family development in Oakland, is the first use of mass plywood panels (MPP) in the Bay Area. Its hybrid approach—which combines the construction speed of mass timber with the seismic resistance of steel frames—offers a cost-effective new option in a city where construction labor rates are extremely high. However, the construction schedule reduction promises of mass timber, including MPP, do not come without extensive preconstruction coordination and planning. In this session, the developer/contractor will share the preconstruction and installation techniques that helped make Project One a success, as well as lessons learned, and aspects of site logistics not commonly covered when discussing mass timber for multi-family applications.

Scott is the owner of a self-performing general contracting firm in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is currently working on a small multi-family apartment building where he has been able to utilize a mixture of mass timber, light-frame prefabricated walls, and cold-formed steel shear components. He was also involved with the erection of city’s first downtown CLT structure. Prior to starting Gurnet Point, Scott worked for the self-perform division of a large national general contractor. Originally from Boston, he moved west four years ago to start a west coast operation that specializes in large Type III and V multi-family projects. Through the use of project modeling and prefabrication of I-joist floors and walls, Scott has helped build over 1.5 million square feet of structures throughout the Bay Area.

Preconstruction and Installation Tips from the District Office in Portland

— Brad Nile · Project Executive · Andersen Construction

District Office is an incredible display of the beauty, creativity and simplicity achievable with a mass timber structure. Located on a half-block site in Portland’s Central Eastside, this 6-story, 90,400-sf project had its challenges during the preconstruction and installation phases, the solutions to which lay in extensive preplanning and coordination among the entire project team. In this session, hear first-hand from the contractor about the problem-solving steps taken to address a very tight urban infill site with limited site access and crane locations, poor soils, and high pedestrian traffic. Discussion will also include installation and timber delivery sequencing, façade prefabrication, and installation techniques, and the role of 3D modeling in achieving the promise of reduced construction duration.

As a lifelong builder and student of construction systems, Brad has made this the focus of his academic studies as well as world travels. In his 25 years with Andersen Construction, he has managed the construction of many landmark commercial and institutional buildings in Oregon, including the new mass timber project at the Oregon State University College of Forestry, and other mixed-use, mass timber projects in Portland. In particular, he led the Andersen Construction teams responsible for estimating, procuring and erecting these structures. Coming from a family of forest landowners, Brad has a deep understanding of the timber industry and is passionate about the growing use of mass timber in institutional and commercial projects.

Seeing the Details and the Big Picture: Constructing the University of Arkansas’ Adohi Hall

— Rob Dodd · Exec. VP of Operations · Nabholz Construction

At over 202,000 square feet, Adohi Hall at the University of Arkansas is the first large-scale mass timber residence hall project in the U.S. Framed with CLT floor and roof panels and glulam columns and beams, the project creates a vibrant new destination on campus, with retail dining, classrooms, maker spaces, performance spaces, communal spaces, administrative offices, and faculty housing, along with a mix of semi-suites and pods that provide 708 beds. The construction manager for this project, who also self-performed the timber install, will discuss unique challenges and solutions associated with the use of timber in this project. Topics will include European timber sourcing, on-site logistics for areas such as timber-to-concrete interfaces at cores, scheduling, cost estimating, budget tracking, and more.

As Executive Vice President of Operations for Nabholz Construction, Rob recently led the 708-bed University of Arkansas Adohi Hall project, which includes mass timber as the primary structural system. In planning this project, Rob was instrumental in developing a public procurement model for the superstructure, part of which involved developing a self-performance crew to erect the structure. While Rob’s innovative approach to planning led to the successful implementation of mass timber on this project, he has also been helping other contractors develop plans for mass timber projects nationwide. Before joining Nabholz in 2007, Rob spent 21 years in the structural engineering and architecture fields.

Sponsored by Hilti North America

Moderator:
Tanya Luthi · PE, Vice President – Structures · Entuitive

The New U.S. Mass Timber Floor Vibration Design Guide

— Reid Zimmerman · Technical Director · KPFF Consulting Engineers

A U.S. Mass Timber Floor Vibration Design Guide has been developed as a synthesis of available information for use by designers considering response of occupied floors to excitation by human walking. This presentation will provide an overview of applicable vibration design methods, modeling recommendations, three design examples, and guidelines for developing finite element models specific to floor vibration analysis of mass timber floors.

Reid brings creative thinking and state-of-the-art engineering design to his work by staying at the forefront of innovative structural technologies through national code committee participation, collaborative research with universities, and publication in journals ranging from Earthquake Spectra to Structure Magazine. He enjoys discussing performance objectives with owners and designing high performance, resilient structures which serve their intended purpose. Before joining KPFF in 2013, Reid worked for a structural and geotechnical engineering firm in San Francisco, California. He is the recipient of the University Medal Certificate of Distinction from the University of California Berkeley, the Nabih Youssef Young Member Award from the Structural Engineers Association of California, the Young Professionals Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers Structural Engineering Institute, and the Shah Family Innovation Prize from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Connections in a Timber Structure: The Options and Impacts are Bigger than You Think

— Chris Kendall · Principal · KL&A Engineers and Builders

Of all the variables in mass timber building design, connections seem to be one of the areas that significantly change from one project to another. Whether it is a beam-to-column connection detail, type of fastener used, or system of matching mass timber to other materials such as a concrete core, connections in mass timber structures can play a big role in overall project cost, speed of construction, and aesthetics. This presentation will focus on the variety of connection options for areas such as column-to-foundation, column-through-floor, beam-to-column, and panel-to-beam, and discuss a number of “beyond code” approaches such as epoxy rods and large member notches. Structural design impacts will be woven into the discussion, as will the impact of connection type on fire performance, aesthetics, cost, load transfer and fabrication tolerances.

Chris Kendall has over 15 years of experience as a consulting structural engineer and is a Principal at KL&A Engineers and Builders. He has experience in the design of multiple building types using mass timber as well as most conventional materials. Known by his clients for creativity and respect for architecture, Chris is the Structural Engineer of Record on several mass timber buildings in Colorado, including (among others): Platte Fifteen, a large mass timber office building in Denver; The Loading Dock, a two-story mass timber office building in Boulder; and 5505 Central, a three-story steel and mass timber hybrid office building in Boulder. A Colorado native, he has a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structures from Colorado State University.

Designing Mass Timber for Lateral Resistance

— Scott Breneman · Senior Technical Director – Mass Timber · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

The International Building Code prescriptively recognizes a number of mass timber products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) as acceptable building materials in construction types III, IV and V. However, its use as part of a lateral force-resisting system—either as a diaphragm or shear wall—is not yet codified. This session will cover topics key to the structural design and approval of mass timber buildings from a lateral fore-resistance perspective. By illustrating design and detailing strategies that have been successfully approved and implemented in mass timber shearwalls and diaphragms in projects across the country, this session will provide a means of understanding the challenges and potential solutions.

Dr. Breneman is a licensed Structural Engineer and Professional Engineer in the State of California, a PE in the State of Washington, and Senior Technical Director – Mass Timber in the Project Resources & Solutions Division of WoodWorks. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida and a doctorate from Stanford University. Scott has experience with structural design, seismic rehabilitation, and peer review of projects varying from single-family homes to high-rise hospitals. He is a Past-President of the Structural Engineers Association of Central California, and active in many timber and structural engineering design and standards committees. At WoodWorks, he provides project support and education to individuals designing wood buildings and oversees the development of technical educational content.

Sponsored by Nordic Structures

Moderator:
Rose Braden · President · Softwood Export Council

The Road to the Future: A Roundtable Discussion on Mass Timber

— Peter Moonen · National Sustainability Manager · Canadian Wood Council

This roundtable discussion will involve mass timber industry leaders—major producers, designers, users, and installers of mass timber products, and selected from those exhibiting at or attending the Mass Timber Conference. The industry reps will be asked a series of questions regarding the road to the future—potholes, superhighway, traffic jams and all—so the audience gets a sense of the real world for mass timber, not just hype and promise. Questions to be considered: 1) What is your sense of how the mass timber and CLT market has developed over the last 10 years in North America compares to its introduction in Europe almost 30 years ago? 2) What is driving the market right now? 3) What is your sense of the role primary forest companies could/should play in mass timber? 4) What keeps you up at night? 5) Where do you feel mass timber could/should/will be in 10 years? 6) What is the biggest impediment to growth for your company and/or the MT sector?

Peter studied Marine Biology, Zoology and Forestry the University of British Columbia and has used that science-based foundation as a technical communications specialist to advance a better understanding of wood products and the forest sector. He has more than 30 years experience dealing with regulatory, environmental, sustainability and operational issues. Peter is National Sustainability Manager for the Canadian Wood Council (CWC), a technical and knowledge transfer organization, which provides free technical support to designers, contractors, building and fire officials, owners and regulators to build a strong wood culture in Canada through education, training and awareness. He regularly presents on achieving greater sustainability, durability and the appropriate use of wood in Asia, Europe, and throughout North America to design professionals, contractors, educators, regulators and building officials. In addition, Peter was an organizer and session facilitator at the UN Timber Committee and market reviewer specializing in wood and the green economy for the Forest Products Annual Market Review published by the UNECE Forestry and Timber section, was a member of the Steering Committee for the recent UNECE COFFI conference held recently in Vancouver, and is a member of the Low Carbon-Assets through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA^2) Initiative of the National Research Council of Canada.

Adoption of Cross Laminated Timber in Building Construction: An Asian Perspective

— Indroneil Ganguly · Associate Professor · University of Washington

The use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) in taller buildings, by displacing steel/concrete in traditional building constructions, has the potential to be one of the most impactful and practical climate change mitigation strategies of this century. However, if we observe where most tall buildings are being built, it is not in the U.S. or Europe, it is Asia—specifically, China. Moreover, if we look at the projected building construction growth over the next couple of decades, the focus should be on Asia. China’s cement construction is 20 times higher than that of North America. Hence, a meager 5% displacement in cement consumption in China is equivalent to wiping out 100% cement usage in North America. Other Asian countries with significant per-capita concrete usage in tall buildings are Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. CLT has the potential to displace a significant proportion of concrete usage, especially in Asia. Both the Chinese and Japanese governments are introducing policies that make it easier to build taller buildings with wood, especially CLT. Moreover, the production of CLT panels is gradually ramping up in both these countries, with noteworthy progress in China. This regional growth in adoption of CLT in building construction along with the resurgence of the supporting wood products manufacturing is motivating architects and builders in countries like Thailand and India to explore CLT construction in their respective home countries. A series of studies undertaken by CINTRAFOR, TNC, and SEC is exploring the potential for CLT production and consumption in China, Japan, and Thailand. Durability aspects and concerns are also being addressed to promote CLT construction in termite prone and high humidity environments such as south and Southeast Asia.

Dr. Indroneil Ganguly is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and Associate Director of the Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR). Dr. Ganguly’s research focuses on wood products trade and environmental evaluation of traditional and innovative wood products. On the environmental assessment of wood products side, he has developed environmental assessments of a broad range of innovative wood products, ranging from ‘woody biomass based bio-fuels’ to ‘Cross Laminated Timber’. On the international trade aspect, Dr. Ganguly’s research investigates the impacts of trade/legality regulations on global wood-products trade flows. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Ganguly has undertaken research in India, China, Vietnam, Japan and, Thailand, exploring trade and environmental policies in those countries. As of 2019, he has published over 30 peer-reviewed journals articles, numerous wood products related working papers and industry oriented newsletter articles. Dr. Ganguly also teaches environmental economics, forestry and applied-biostatistics courses at the University of Washington.

Maintaining Global Competitiveness in the Rapidly Changing Mass Timber Market: One Company’s Story

— Ernst Woels · Sales Director, Overseas and Northern Europe · Hasslacher Norica Timber

Wood is on the rise globally and expected to increase both market share and rate of uptake as governments seek to develop affordable and low carbon housing for an increasingly urban population. As such, the mass timber sector is poised to grow significantly in the next 10 years. This presentation will examine the opportunities, hurdles and key success factors for companies seeking to provide heavy and mass timber products to the international market.

Ernst was born in Austria, training first as a mechanical engineer for the saw mill industry and attended then the universities of Graz (AT) and Waikato (NZ) for studying international business administration. By now he has over 20 years of experience not only in the European and Russian sawmill industry, but also in marketing mass timber products on five continents. Due to the rapid growth of the Hasslacher Group’s mass timber production within the last 10 years, Ernst’s role as overseas sales director has developed from managing lumber exports internationally to becoming one of the pioneers in the global mass timber movement. Constantly analysing market opportunities, he is now directing sales and production activities to the most promising areas worldwide.

Sponsored by Seagate Mass Timber

Moderator:
Tom S. Chung · AIA LEED BD+C, Principal · Leers Weinzapfel Associates

It’s Goin’ Down—We’re Yelling Timber! Michigan State University’s New STEM Project Looks to the Future While Honoring the Past

— Tim VanAntwerp · Vice President · Granger Construction

Michigan State University’s new $106.5MIL STEM Teaching & Learning undergraduate facility (schedule for completion in Fall 2020) is an investment by MSU to improve and enhance the undergraduate learning experience, support experiential teaching and learning, and attract and retain students in STEM disciplines. To enhance this mission, MSU chose to construct the STEM facility from CLT, and is the first major university project in Michigan to utilize mass timber. While looking to the future with STEM, MSU is simultaneously renovating their historic Shaw Lane Powerplant, which will be fully engulfed by the new STEM building on either side. Hear from both the CM and Project Design team on the unique challenges they encountered on this project, from the initial selection of mass timber as the structural solution, to repurposing a 60-year old power plant into 21st century collaborative space.

Tim VanAntwerp joined Granger in 2000 and currently works as Vice President of Sales. Tim also focuses on Lean operations, risk management, and higher education project support. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. Tim is a licensed engineer, licensed attorney, and serves on the Professional Advisory Board for Michigan State University’s Civil Engineering College.

The Emergence of CLT in the Southern U.S: An Impact Study of Economics, Biophilia, Local Sourcing, Southern Yellow Pine Application, and Sustainability

— Brian Campa · Principal · Cooper Carry

The Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Center at Clemson University was a project that uniquely tested the viability of mass timber construction in the southern region of the U.S. Analysis of material cost, thermal performance, visual endurance, sustainability, and biophilia will be a focus of this presentation. This project will be the first building east of the Mississippi made of Southern Yellow Pine CLT. In addition, the unique program of an outdoor wellness + fitness center on a lakeside site on campus required an clear expression of the natural materials that make up the structure. Among the materials that emphasize the connection to nature are CLT structural slabs and walls, glue laminated timber, cypress screens, and thermo-set wood based fiber panels. All these design nuances will be outlines in a case-study presentation that will help other campuses understand the benefits and challenges of these systems.

As a Principal and Design Director with Cooper Carry, Brian Campa specializes in designing higher education facilities. He is specifically passionate about his role as a leader of design in the firm. His experience includes higher education, science + technology, K-12, residential, master planning and hospitality. Brian joined Cooper Carry in 2004 and was promoted to Principal in 2017. While completing his Master’s degree in Architecture at Yale University, he received several prestigious honors and awards.

Design Futures: The Arkansas Timber Projects

— Peter MacKeith · Dean and Professor · Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design and numerous industry, corporate, and government actors are now working across the state to invigorate simultaneously the timber and wood product industries, the design, engineering, and construction cultures, and the environmental and economic development potentials of the Arkansas forests. This presentation surveys the accomplishments to date and highlights the recent design competition for the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation, a research and development center for the School and the University.

Peter MacKeith is dean and professor of architecture at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas. Appointed in July 2014, he is the fifth dean of the school. MacKeith is a nationally recognized design educator and administrator. From 1999 to 2014, he was associate dean, professor of architecture and adjunct associate curator for Architecture and Design at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. MacKeith was the director of the Master of Architecture – International Program at the Helsinki University of Technology Finland from 1995-1999, and he held previous academic appointments at the University of Virginia and Yale University. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Literature and International Relations as an Echols Scholar from the University of Virginia (1981) and his Master of Architecture from Yale University (1985).

Sponsored by Sansin

Moderator:
Jeff McLellan · Western Region Practice Leader · BFL Canada

Understanding the Insurance Aspects of Mass Timber

— Susan Brodahl · Senior Vice President · Heffernan Insurance Brokers

This presentation will take an interactive and entertaining look at the insurance industry, with an emphasis on how it works, and how to navigate coverage for mass timber projects. Insurance in general can seem like a mystery—what determines premium fluctuations, impacts of a strong vs. weak economy, and the varying roles of brokers, agents, and underwriters. This session will explain all of those aspects, focusing on the unique elements of mass timber and factors that need to be considered when looking to insure these types of projects.

Susan is a Senior Vice President and owner of Heffernan Insurance Brokers. She began her insurance career working for Saif Corporation in 1989 while finishing her economics degree at Willamette University. At Heffernan, Susan works with clients in the energy, technology and construction sectors. She believes in a client-centric approach to risk management, which includes but is not limited to traditional insurance policies. Known for creativity and innovation, Heffernan recently insured the first mass timber condominium building, Carbon12. Susan is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America.

How to Make Your Mass Timber Projects More Insurable

— Cheri Hanes · Construction Risk Engineer · AXA XL

This session will focus on actionable steps to take during planning and construction that have the potential to make your projects more successful and a more attractive insurance risk. From subcontractor default insurance to professional liability to builders risk, there are challenges associated with finding insurance for mass timber projects. There are many perceived unknowns, and it may fall to you to fill in some blanks. This presentation will address emerging concerns and questions that need to be answered to help insurers become more comfortable with the risks, and strategies to make your mass timber projects better and more insurable.

As a Construction Risk Engineer in AXA XL’s Subcontractor Default Insurance group, Cheri draws upon over 25 years’ construction experience to mitigate risk with a perspective that keeps her clients’ best interests in mind. She is passionate about understanding emerging risks and sharing that information to improve outcomes for all involved. Before joining AXAXL in 2012, Cheri worked in in construction operations, preconstruction, and sustainability in addition to helping develop best practices for subcontractor default insurance prequalification. Her passion for subcontractor default risks has roots in her years as Partner in a privately-owned construction business. Cheri is a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and Construction Document Specialist (CDS).

TMBR™: The Quest for Reasonable Insurance to Keep a Mass Timber Project Alive

— Todd Simning · President · TMBR™ Development, LLC and ADŌR Homes

Building on the last two presentations, this session will tell a firsthand tale of insurance challenges and solutions on a 10-story mass timber condo building. Located in Minneapolis, TMBR™ is set to be one of the first projects in the US to utilize the new Type IV-B provisions of the IBC, setting it apart as a groundbreaking project in the housing market. However, extremely high insurance premiums initially quoted almost derailed the use of mass timber. In this candid presentation, the developer of TMBR™ will discuss why the initial premiums were so high, adjustments that led to more reasonable rates, and factors other developers and project design teams need to consider when estimating the cost of insurance on their own mass timber projects.

Todd Simning, the lead TMBR™ developer, has over 31 years of experience in development and construction with over $750 mil in overall projects completed. His consistent leadership, strong work ethic and organization has contributed to the success of many ventures. Todd’s vast experience includes land acquisition, horizontal development, and vertical construction in both residential and commercial projects. Todd is also President of ADŌR Homes located in Excelsior, Minnesota that builds high end architecturally designed homes throughout greater Minnesota. He is a licensed real estate agent and has a BS Degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota. Whether it is working with land owners, city planners, attorneys, engineers, subcontractors, lenders, investors or clients, Todd has enthusiastically and successfully managed all aspects of real estate.

Sponsored by Hilti North America

Moderator:
Karen Gesa · PE, Technical Director · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

Pairing Mass Timber Floors with Light-Frame Wood Prefabricated Wall Systems: Tales of Challenges and Successes

— Mike Bradley · President · Beacon Builders

Due to differences, often significant differences, in the raw material costs of mass timber and light wood-frame construction, some project teams have had difficulty cost-effectively implementing mass timber in low- to mid-rise (one- to five-story) multi-family buildings. However, a few projects have utilized what is seemingly the best of both worlds—mass timber floor systems that provide inherent beauty, fire resistance and thin floor structures, paired with light wood-frame bearing walls that can be utilized to run MEP services while meeting code requirements for acoustics and fire resistance when clad with materials such as gypsum. Successfully utilizing a hybrid of wood-frame and mass timber systems requires an acute understanding of their differences, from fabrication tolerances to installation techniques, connection details, and more. This presentation by a contractor who has successfully completed several of these buildings will explore lessons learned, preconstruction coordination requirements, and types of projects that may be suitable for a hybrid approach.

Beacon Builders has completed the first two CLT buildings in Spokane County—an 8,000-sf CrossFit gym/warehouse and a 32,000-sf apartment complex. The company also used CLT to build a high-end luxury vacation home on the banks of the Pend Oreille River. Over the course of these projects, the team learned many hard lessons and developed a system to streamline the design, permitting, procurement, and construction of CLT projects.

Advancing Timber with Hybrid Structures. A Case Study: The Barn

— Leif Johnson · P.E., S.E., LEED AP, Principal · Magnusson Klemencic Associates

Modern timber buildings typically include a combination of wood and other materials, with steel and concrete utilized where structurally efficient. A building that is primarily mass timber is more beneficial to the advancement of timber design and construction than a fully timber building that never gets built because cost premiums are too high for components better realized with steel or concrete. In this presentation, a long-span timber-steel hybrid truss structure for The Barn will be featured along with other hybrid structures to illustrate this point, showcasing the possibilities and benefits of timber construction, while using a variety of materials where they’re most efficient.

Leif Johnson is a Principal at Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), an award-winning structural and civil engineering firm headquartered in Seattle, Washington. He recently completed T3 Minneapolis, a seven-story, 260,000-sf mass timber office building, and continues to provide quality control review for T3 projects across the country. His portfolio also includes the Lincoln Park Zoo south pond addition in Chicago, Illinois, and LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, both winners of national wood design awards. Leif is the leader of MKA’s in-house Wood Technical Specialist Team, a group devoted to the research and development of methodologies for utilizing the most effective, innovative wood products and connections available to better realize clients’ visions while also promoting materials that require less carbon to construct. He was honored as one of Building Design + Construction Magazine’s 40 Under 40 winners in 2018.

The Wade Avenue Experiment: A Hybrid Tall Wood of Timber, Concrete and Steel

— Jonathan King · OAA, LEED AP, Principal · BNKC Architecture + Urban Design

With eight stories of mass timber, 77 Wade Avenue is set to change the landscape of Toronto’s Junction neighborhood, offering a purpose-designed and built office and collaborative environment, while transforming an under-used parcel of land into a tech-oriented hub with sustainable design at its core. Unlike 20th century post and beam buildings, 77 Wade optimizes the use of a mass timber/hybrid structural system by way of prefabricated components, just-in-time delivery and construction best practices to achieve spans of traditional concrete and steel buildings. This presentation will provide a summary of the project, which will showcase the inherent warmth of wood with a composite NLT, concrete and steel assembly. The summary will place the project in the context of past/present examples of mass timber and tall wood buildings, review its development, describe its unique approach and design strategy, and outline solutions related to approvals, logistics, and technical challenges. 77 Wade Avenue will be the first commercial project in Canada to be completed at this scale.

Jonathan King takes a broad and holistic approach to the practice of architecture and urban design. A Principal at bnkc architects, his skill set complements and enhances the firm’s 50-year practice. Clients in the institutional and multi-residential sectors value his ability to collaborate and integrate their needs to realize effective design solutions. He has excelled at integrating design, management, and delivery for such projects such as the Pan Am Athletes’ Village and Edmonton Clinic Health Academy at the University of Alberta, the Hudson Condominium, and 77 Wade Avenue, Canada’s largest tall wood commercial building. Jonathan is an active member of the Urban Land Institute, sitting on several Committees, and often speaks at trade, education and real estate conferences on the topics of mass timber, and purpose-built rental housing.

Sponsored by Nordic Structures

Moderator:
Melissa Kroskey · AIA, SE · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council | ULI Greenprint Innovation Partner

Mass Timber: ESG Developments = Better Risk-Adjusted Returns

— Noel Johnson · Developer · Cairn Pacific

Hear from a leading Portland-based mass-timber developer about the business case trends emerging from completed commercial mass timber deals. Noel’s early projects, such as Clay Creative, a 5-story 92,000-sf office building in Portland, hit its proforma rents and absorption velocities leveraging differentiation and socio-ethical appeal to knowledge-based tenants. For investors, early market rate mass timber developments have shown resilience in terms of leasing and occupancy (the critical issues for most office buildings), delivering lower-volatility cash flows. Perception as to why these buildings were successful centers around the idea of providing an honest aesthetic and tangible commitment to Environmental Social Governance (ESG) goals.

Noel Johnson’s development experience spans 20+ housing, retail and office projects, most of institutional-scale & complexity. His work across mass timber, adaptive reuse, brownfield as well as mixed-use in urban and suburban settings provides diverse perspectives on the $1B of development activities constructed. Noel holds degrees from Stanford’s Business School, Portland State, and Williams College. He is civically engaged with groups including: Social Venture Partners, Yale Union Contemporary Art, Northwest Children’s Theater, Urban Land Institute, and Oregon Smart Growth.

Timber Proves to be a Good Business Decision for California’s Ice Block I

— Michael J. Heller · Developer · Heller Pacific

Ice Block I, a four-story, 170,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial project in Sacramento is the first modern timber-framed midrise in Northern California and recipient of ULI Sacramento’s Infill Project of the Year Award. Located on an industrial site with a long tradition of functional infrastructure, Ice Block I (one block of a three block urban village known as The Ice Blocks) is a modern building constructed in a way that celebrates historical framing approaches. Glulam columns and beams, together with exposed tongue and groove decking and steel connections, form an orchestra of traditional materials, which are left exposed to create an authentic, experiential space. In this panel presentation, the developer will share the story of how timber helped brand Ice Block, which achieved leasing velocity and rates only slightly less than the highest in the region.

Michael J. Heller is the owner of Heller Pacific Inc., a real estate development company specializing in office, retail and mixed-use development in the Sacramento area for over 20 years. Michael is the son of an old-school contractor who loved modern design. He grew up surrounded by architecture and spent his teenage summers working as a construction laborer. Michael received an MBA from USC and studied engineering and business in undergrad. Early in his career, he worked with his father developing office buildings throughout Sacramento. Michael’s vision for Heller Pacific continues to evolve over time. Heller Pacific embraces innovation and the advancement of ‘Green’ technology is a core value of their projects. Marrying the pursuit of architectural advancement, the fundamental need for quality construction, and the reality of risk management without compromising profit goals is a an art form in which Heller Pacific has distinguishing expertise.

More presentations announced soon.

Sponsored by Seagate Mass Timber

Moderator:
Jon C. Wallenstrom · Principal · Alaka’i Development · Urban Land Institute

TMBR, Minneapolis’ First Mass Timber Residences

— Colin Oglesbay · Principal · D/O Architects

One of the biggest challenges in the design of urban housing is lack of innovation. This isn’t due to a shortage of creative minds or concepts, but the seemingly impossible task of designing urban housing that is economically feasible, sustainable, and beautiful. However, opportunities for the increased use of exposed mass timber elements as both structure and finish have provided a means to accomplish these objectives and more. This presentation will take an in-depth look at TMBR, a 10-story mass timber housing project in the North Loop of Minneapolis that is leading an evolution toward unique urban living environments. The principal architect will share his insights on all aspects of the project, including motivators, challenges, solutions, and design decisions that are leading TMBR to success.

Colin Oglesbay is the Managing Principal of D/O Architects, an interdisciplinary design studio with a commitment to design excellence through the integration of buildings and landscapes. Colin studied landscape architecture at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and received his Master of Architecture from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. His work, research and writing focus on new and innovative methods to link nature and buildings. He has written about these ideas for T/here: Journal of Architecture + Landscape, Scape Magazine, and Architecture MN Magazine. He teaches at the University of Minnesota and guest lectures at Dunwoody College. With over 20 years of experience in the field of landscape and architecture, he has lead projects ranging in scale from integrated campus planning to off-the-grid outhouses that purify local water.

Making the Cost Case for Using CLT in the Residential Market

— Lisa Podesto · Senior Business Development Manager · Lendlease

Starting in 2012 when Forte’ earned the title of “Tallest residential timber structure in the world,” Lendlease has been on a journey with cross-lamented timber; exploring different structural typologies, for a range of building uses at a variety of scales. Using completed projects and internal studies as examples, this presentation will introduce methods for making the cost case for CLT use in residential applications.

Lisa serves as Lendlease’s Timber and Innovation Specialist, responsible for developing the nationwide business strategy for the use of mass timber and componentized solutions in a range of projects and pursuits across Lendlease business units (development, design-build and construction management). In this role, she supports activities at Lendlease including master planning, design management, cost planning, and pre-construction, guiding early decisions to achieve innovative, sustainable project delivery. As a co-author and peer reviewer for the 2012 United States Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Handbook, Lisa began her contribution to the market development of CLT and mass timber early. More recently Lisa led a research effort investigating the blast resistance of cross-laminated timber paving the way for its use in military construction. With her professional engineering license, years of design practice and a decade of experience in market development for wood structures, she carries a unique expertise in mass timber solutions, mid-rise design, fire and life-safety code, and sustainable construction.

How Timber Hybrids Build Our Future Cities and Change Design & Construction

— Rainer Strauch · Managing Director, CTO · CREE GmbH

According to some famous quote, the 21st century could become the century of timber construction. We believe, even more likely, it will become the century of timber-based hybrid construction, making the most effective and efficient use of wood, concrete and steel, with the highest potential to reshape the way we build. Timber-based prefabricated systems for multi-story and large-scale buildings have been developed in Europe from 2008 on, in order to disrupt the construction industry. The results are highly flexible, reliably performing, standardized construction methods as new products, which meet all technical and economical requirements of modern real estate markets. Every building component is predominantly based on renewable resources, with additional emphasis on material and energy efficiency. The design and production of those buildings no longer follows traditional patterns, but relies on a cloud-based infrastructure, enabling frictionless information exchange with a curated knowledge base and access to experts, as well as a digital twin toolchain reflecting the latest technologies. An increasing number of international projects and companies position themselves on the forefront of these radically future oriented thoughts and actions, be it an 80-meter-tall residential tower in Switzerland, a 12-story educational twin building complex in Singapore, or some 350,000 square foot of multi-functional commercial space in the German capital Berlin, which all rely on the same timber-based and prefabricated system solution. These and many more examples demonstrate that timber hybrid buildings have the greatest potential to finally dominate our future cities, and disruptive processes will guarantee their performance.

Rainer Strauch is a general construction engineer, as well as a PHI-certified Passive House Designer and accredited Auditor within the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). He has worked with several companies in building design and construction management, before he joined the LifeCycle Tower (LCT) research and development team, which was later established as Cree by Rhomberg. At Cree, Rainer has co-developed the LCT timber-concrete hybrid system, which then became the basis for Cree’s LCT ONE prototype building, as well as many more. Now as Cree’s Managing Director and CTO, Rainer heads their technical operations, international know-how transfer, and Cree Licensee consulting support.

Sponsored by Sansin

Moderator:
Mike Montooth · Sr. Manager, Marketing Communications · Hexion

Innovation in Cross-Laminated Timber: How a Small Lumber Company Became the Largest CLT Manufacturer in the World

— Carter Sterling · CEO · Sterling

In 2013, Sterling was a small lumber company that provided timber mats commonly used to create access roads in the construction, utility, and pipeline industries. By 2016, years of research and development paid off and the first cross-laminated timber (CLT) mats engineered to withstand the weight of heavy construction equipment rolled off the line. Today, Sterling has two state-of-the-art CLT facilities in Phoenix, Illinois, and Lufkin, Texas, for a total of 875,000 square feet of manufacturing space. With more than 500 employees and on track to produce 400,000 mats per year, they are the world’s largest manufacturer of CLT. And thanks to a recycling program that repurposes the sawdust, no wood is wasted. Join Sterling CEO Carter Sterling as he shares the story of how a family-operated lumber yard became an industry leader that is changing the face of site access and the CLT industry. You’ll hear:

• How research and development led to CLT as a viable alternative to timber mats
• Lessons learned in transitioning from handmade to the automated, high-speed manufacture of CLT
• Creating a market in industries that are resistant to change
• The environmental advantage of farmed southern yellow pine
• How the sustainability of CLT plays an important role in the future success of the structural and non-structural markets

Carter Sterling has always been a presence at Sterling—he and his brothers are third-generation lumbermen and leaders of this family-run company. As CEO, Carter is a natural innovator in the world of cross-laminated timber. Under his leadership, the Sterling organization developed and produces TerraLam® CLT mats—a safer, sustainable alternative to the traditional timber mats commonly used for site access in the construction, utility, and pipeline industries. Since they began producing TerraLam, Sterling has become the world’s largest manufacturer of CLT, consuming more than 160 million board feet of renewable southern yellow pine per year at their Phoenix, Illinois facility—and that figure is expected to double now that they’ve opened a second plant in Lufkin, Texas. Carter’s commitment to the sustainability of CLT is driving him to find more uses for non-structural CLT and expand upon the mass timber phenomenon. Carter received his bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management from the University of Colorado – Boulder.

Wood City: The Future of Sustainable Construction

— Steve Lieberman · Business Development Manager · Stora Enso

Steve will discuss LVL (laminated veneer lumber) and its production and role in the Wood City Project, in Helsinki, Finland. Wood City is a sustainable urban quarter built for the Helsinki municipal housing developer ATT and comprises two residential buildings, an office building, a hotel, and a parking house. The multi-storey buildings of Wood City were built using massive LVL panels.

Steve Lieberman is the North American Business Development Manager for Stora Enso Building Solutions. A licensed structural engineer, Steve has over 30 years of experience in the wood industry, engineering and manufacturing. With his passion for the advantages of wood construction, Steve’s focus is expanding the use of Stora Enso mass timber in North America.

Integrated Supply Chain Sourcing and Production for Nordic Mass Timber Products

— Jean-Marc Dubois · Director of Business Development · Nordic Structures

This presentation will provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that Mass Timber projects bring to the manufacturing and construction communities. Nordic Structures’ vertical integration process will be reviewed from the forest to final construction, and demonstrate one company’s path to sustainable, carbon-negative construction, an essential step towards mitigating climate change.

Jean-Marc is the director of business development for Nordic Structures, the building systems division of Canadian lumber manufacturer Chantiers Chibougamau. His career spans over 40 years in the building products industry with regional, national and international corporations, focusing primarily on value-added and engineered wood products. Celebrating 20 years with Nordic this year, Jean-Marc’s penchant for delivering customer solutions through value engineering and process optimization led him to join the structures division where he collaborates with clients, architects, engineers and designers to provide sustainable built Mass Timber solutions across North America. A passionate advocate for sustainability, Jean-Marc serves on several domestic timber research councils, and has been a guest lecturer at universities as well as architectural, engineering, and sustainability conferences across North America, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Sponsored by Hilti North America

Moderator:
Heather Strong · PE, Senior Director, Western Division · WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

The Digital Twin Approach: Building Models and Data Transfer from Design to Execution for Mass Timber Buildings

— Ryan Yee · Strategic Partnerships Manager · CadMakers

This presentation will provide an in-depth review of the design for manufacturing and assembly approach to mass timber construction and the role of integrated building models (digital twins) in successful projects. As many teams have found, design and construction can be optimized by utilizing generative rules-based engineering design to automate the creation of fabrication models with embedded manufacturing requirements and specifications. This session will cover the digital twin process, including the use of 3D fabrication models and 4D process simulations, and discuss key items such as communication via building model, the role of the model on-site during construction, and the transfer of digital data to sub-trades for effective coordination and mass timber installation.

Ryan Yee is Strategic Partnerships Manager and an Automation Engineer at CadMakers. Currently he is responsible for developing new and emerging markets beginning with CadMakers’ office expansion in Tokyo, Japan. CadMakers is a construction and manufacturing technology company that has been involved in 25 mass timber projects to date, including Brock Commons Tallwood House, and has developed DFMA workflows for the construction and mass timber industry. Ryan was CadMakers’ MEPF lead managing the integrated 3D and 4D model on the Brock Commons project and is passionate about connecting the digital thread of early stage design through to fabrication and on-site construction. In addition to construction projects, he helped Tesla implement an advanced manufacturing and factory planning work flow as part of the Tesla Model 3 Launch team.

Whose Job is it Anyway? Defining Design Team Roles for Mass Timber Projects

— Amie Sullivan · Principal · KPFF Consulting Engineers

When delineating design roles for a mass timber project, the traditional silos of architect and engineer aren’t always so clearly defined. Since structure is often also finish, a higher level of coordination between all members of the design team is necessary, as is clear communication on who is specifying what. Add to that the complexity that can come in the form of specialized engineering roles, from Structural Engineer of Record to Specialty Timber Engineer, Timber Connections Engineer, Manufacturer’s Engineer, Foundation Engineer, and more, and the importance of scope definition becomes evident. This session will examine the topic of setting up a mass timber project for success by establishing roles and responsibilities, and sticking to them throughout the design and construction process. Examples of when using specialty engineers may or may not be an efficient approach will also be discussed.

Amie is a Principal with KPFF Consulting Engineers, bringing 20 years of structural engineering experience to the role. With projects ranging from office buildings and corporate headquarters to destination resorts and custom homes, her portfolio includes elegant structures that feature exposed wood framing and blended structural systems. Among the examples, her work on the Federal Center South Building 1202, with ZGF Architects, resulted in an extensive use of reclaimed, composite heavy timber framing, and the Brelsford Visitor Center at Washington State University features the first commercial use of CLT in Washington State. Both projects received NCSEA Excellence in Structural Engineering awards.

Mass Timber Construction Planning: Collaboration Between the Contractor, Design Team, and Manufacturer

— Ankit Sanghvi · DBIA, LEED-AP · PCL Construction Services

Among the many benefits of mass timber is the speed of construction and simplified erection process. However, schedule savings and associated cost reductions are often overlooked when developing cost comparisons between mass timber and alternate structural systems, resulting in the unfair market perception that mass timber structures are only available at a premium. Removing this bias requires shifting the mindset of project teams, extensive collaboration between the contractor and design team, and developing confidence in the inherent efficiencies of mass timber construction. Presented by a general contractor with extensive mass timber experience, this presentation will discuss the critical importance of pre-planning, why the erection sequence should influence construction details, unique considerations for early trade coordination, opportunities to maximize pre-fabrication, and how these approaches can translate to schedule and cost savings.

Ankit is a Preconstruction Manager with PCL Construction’s Denver office where he is responsible for leading pursuits, preconstruction, and design management efforts for projects within the higher education, office, commercial mixed-use, resort/hospitality, and institutional market sectors. Ankit has worked on multiple mass timber projects, helps guide PCL’s national market outreach in the mass timber market, and is a frequent speaker on mass timber at conferences around the country.

Sponsored by Nordic Structures

Moderator:
Chris Aiello · Specialty Asset Management · Bank of America

Timberlands: The Connection to Mass Timber Construction

— Doug Donnell · Managing Director, Timberland Services Executive · Bank of America

Doug will discuss the role that timberland management plays in providing fiber to forest industry mills and how timberland asset management plays a key role in supply.

R. Doug Donnell is a Managing Director and National Timberland Services Executive within the Specialty Asset Management group at Bank of America. In this role, Doug leads and manages the timberland services team which provides timberland asset management, including investment acquisition, disposition and active forestry management. His team consists of timberland professionals including foresters, forest economists, analysts, and forest operations specialists. Prior to joining Bank of America Doug was an analyst and administrative forester for one of the first institutional timberland investment management firms. In this role he helped develop many of the timberland investment protocols in use by the industry today. He was also a forest analyst and field forester for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he worked on major mergers and acquisitions as well as management of company timberland. He was named national manager for the timberland services group in February 2000. He has also guided the development of the direct investment separate account model that has provided alternative solutions for high net worth individuals and not-for-profit organizations. Doug holds a B.S. in Forestry, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Monticello and an M.S. in Forestry Management Economics from Virginia Tech University. Doug is a Georgia Registered Forester® (RF®) and a frequent speaker on timberland investing. He has authored and been quoted in numerous thought leadership articles and other timberland investing commentaries, as well as having appeared on several business and investing networks, such as Bloomberg and Fox Business.

How a San Francisco Developer Is Betting on Mass Timber

— Stefee Knudsen · Project Manager · Hacker
— Cutter MacLeod · Senior Development Manager · Brookfield Properties

Due to high workplace demand in the San Francisco Bay area, large commercial office space needs for the growing tech industry, and competition to retain talent and recruit for growth, companies’ workplaces and physical buildings have become more a reflection of their culture and values. As companies begin to set their own standards to reduce carbon emissions both indirectly and directly from business operations, CLT/mass timber structures are becoming more commonly used in lieu of typical steel or concrete structural frames. Learn the key decision points and market positioning from the developer of what will soon be one of the largest CLT/mass timber buildings in North America.

Stefee currently is the project manager on Pier 70, Parcel A in San Francisco, a nearly 300,000 sf CLT and mass timber building on a former ship building site next to the bay. She is devoted to biophilic design that connects us with the natural world, creating buildings that feel genuinely good and supportive to those who rely on them. She is a member of Association for Learning Environments and AIA Committee on Architecture for Education. She is a central member to the mass timber innovation team at Hacker, looking to ways to deliver mass timber buildings across the country while never compromising design intent and commitment to social and environmental equity.

Cutter is a Senior Development Manager with Brookfield Properties, managing the development of the 415 Natoma office building at the 5M Project and the Parcel A/88 Maryland office building at the Pier 70 Project. Cutter previously worked in commercial office leasing in San Francisco and holds a masters of real estate development from the University of Southern California. He received a BA from the University of San Francisco and is originally from Malibu, California.

The Future of Sustainable Forestry and Forests Products Industries

— Luis Rochartre · Director · World Business Council for Sustainable Development

A review of the main, global sustainability challenges faced by the forestry and forest products sectors. The sustainable solutions that forestry and forest products provide lead to an equitable, low carbon, and circular economy.

Luis Rochartre is the Director of the Forest Solutions at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), a CEO-led, global coalition of some 200 leading corporations. The Council is the leading voice of business supporting companies in scaling up true value-adding business solutions to some of the most pressing global sustainability issues and in creating the conditions where more sustainable companies will succeed and be recognized. Luis leads the Forest Solutions Group (FSG), the global platform for the forest sector value chain. Building and sharing business solutions to lead sustainable development in the forest products sector. FSG’s mission is to advance the bio-economy and a thriving forest sector that sustains healthy productive forests and people’s well-being. Luis joined WBCSD in 2018. He holds a Forestry Degree from UTAD in Portugal and postgraduate Studies in Sustainability at Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School. He has extensive experience working in forest industries, forest owners’ associations, sustainability, and management.