DNR Newberry Customer Service Center: Locally Sourced Mass Timber

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needed to build a new customer service center (CSC) serving the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This center would house multiple agencies within the DNR and also provide information on regional natural resources for visitors.

Lord Aeck Sargent and a team of researches successfully utilized Michigan-grown red pine for the cross laminated timber (CLT) panels shaping the roof and wall structure of the DNR Customer Service Center. The red pine lumber feedstock was supplied by a sawmill located in Michigan.

Together with its partners, the team demonstrated the potential of locally-sourced softwood species as a viable material for mass timber construction and a viable expansion for the timber industry in the state of Michigan.

Anna Anderson

Architect
Lord Aeck Sargent Planning and Design

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Stress Skin Panels Kerto-Ripa for Floors, Walls, and Roofs: European Approach to Structural Gluing

Metsa Wood rib element systems route to market

Ripa types of applications:

• Roof
• Wall
• Floor

Reason for use:

• Rib-based hollow-core structures use less material and help in reaching the ever increasing sustainability targets and ESG requirements.
• Ready proven manufacturing technology with 30 years in the market. Easy entry for customers to the new markets and a clear reduction in R&D investment.
• High performance elements enable longer spans than conventional timber based EWP products, and provide the designers and building owners more space flexibility to the buildings.

Example cases will be explored.

Lessons learned:

• There needs to be a strong connection to the local building requirements and culture. One solution does not fit all. We have found a way to customize and find winning solutions for the final customers through the partner network.
• There is a clear need in the market for ready solutions that enable an easy entry to the mass timber market for new players.
• For the U.S. market, Kerto LVL products in beams and panels are ICC-ES certified, and can be used.
• Diversity of the proposed solution is a clear road to success.

Laura Mattila

VP Sales, Kerto LVL, Americas and Central Europe
Metsä Wood

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Structural Connections Technology That Is Designed With Real-World Jobsite Conditions in Mind

Industry requirements for mass timber connectors focus on efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of the entire fastening system. Key demands include covering various load classes, ensuring code-compliance with international and local regulations, adaptability to different timber species, concealed connections, and fire protection.

Structural engineers and timber manufacturers seek connectors that seamlessly integrate with design software and manufacturing processes, optimized to ensure performance under different load conditions and fire exposure.

Hilti’s approach to timber connections not only meets market demands but also sets new standards in the industry. Hilti continues to innovate and provide solutions that enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of timber construction, by reducing steps, crew size, and simplifying installation. These innovations enable designers to position mass timber as an efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional base materials.

We aim to provide valuable insights for professionals in the timber industry, based on deep learnings from our customers’ feedback. We will highlight how our revolutionary systems can address current key project requirements, such as tolerance-capable connections that can be easily installed and removed, bringing greater peace of mind from the design to the build phase.

Marc Schaeffer

Global Head of Anchor Development
Hilti Group

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