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Mass Timber Resource Guide

Mass Timber Resource Guide

Meghan Parson
Education, Practice
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Mass Timber Resource Guide

Calvin Brawner
April 13, 2020

The 2020 International Mass Timber Conference was slated to be hosted in Portland at the end of March, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis. In support of advancing the conversation as we spend time apart, here is the content of our favorite leave behind. We look forward to sharing more trade knowledge with folks as we continue our work on mass timber buildings.

Introduction

We believe that architecture is best when it’s an honest expression of the people and institutions it serves, when it interacts dynamically with its surroundings, and makes humble use of the earth’s resources.

We see an alignment between this vision statement and designing with mass timber. When sourced from responsibly managed forests and maximizing its inherent qualities, timber can reduce dependency on other structural types that may have more environmental impacts. We are excited by the possibilities that new and emerging mass timber technologies are bringing to the design and construction industries, to regional economic development, and to more environmentally sustainable design solutions.

Regional material - Regional impact

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Forests are one of Oregon’s most abundant natural resources. Douglas fir forests, which are native to the Pacific Northwest, offer significant carbon storage potential and produce some of the most desirable wood for engineered lumber due to its stre

Forests are one of Oregon’s most abundant natural resources. Douglas fir forests, which are native to the Pacific Northwest, offer significant carbon storage potential and produce some of the most desirable wood for engineered lumber due to its strength and visual appearance.

Mass timber is a valuable industry in rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. New facilities that embrace new technology in advanced wood production, such as D.R. Johnson in Riddle (pictured above) and Freres Lumber Co. in Lyons, promote

Mass timber is a valuable industry in rural communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. New facilities that embrace new technology in advanced wood production, such as D.R. Johnson in Riddle (pictured above) and Freres Lumber Co. in Lyons, promote growth in economically challenged areas and help to stimulate local economies.

District Office, a 6-story CLT office building, uses 73,300 cubic feet of wood which results in 1,866 metric tons of carbon stored. This amount of wood is regrown in Oregon timberland every twenty minutes. Timber keeps the region’s heritage of cr

District Office, a 6-story CLT office building, uses 73,300 cubic feet of wood which results in 1,866 metric tons of carbon stored. This amount of wood is regrown in Oregon timberland every twenty minutes.


Timber keeps the region’s heritage of craft alive. Inspired by traditional Japanese carpentry, local artisans used fine woodworking methods at the Portland Japanese Garden Cultural Crossing.

Human centered design

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Mass timber is safe and resilient. The design pictured above for a new school athletic facility uses a durable wood structure designed to withstand a high frequency seismic event so that the campus and community can use the facility after a signific

Mass timber is safe and resilient. The design pictured above for a new school athletic facility uses a durable wood structure designed to withstand a high frequency seismic event so that the campus and community can use the facility after a significant earthquake.

Mass timber is a contributing element to biophilic design, which strives to satisfy the human desire to be connected to nature. Studies have shown that the presence of wood in interior spaces improves focus and creativity.

Mass timber is a contributing element to biophilic design, which strives to satisfy the human desire to be connected to nature. Studies have shown that the presence of wood in interior spaces improves focus and creativity.

Humans have an affinity for wood. Natural materials offer warmth and comfort to interior environments. Studies have shown that natural materials have calming effects, reducing stress of building occupants.

Humans have an affinity for wood. Natural materials offer warmth and comfort to interior environments. Studies have shown that natural materials have calming effects, reducing stress of building occupants.

The strength of cross-laminated timber minimizes the need for structure at the building perimeter, allowing more natural light to fill the inside of buildings. Effective use of natural light can improve mood and reduce energy demand.

The strength of cross-laminated timber minimizes the need for structure at the building perimeter, allowing more natural light to fill the inside of buildings. Effective use of natural light can improve mood and reduce energy demand.

Systems integration

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Prefabrication of timber elements allows for high-quality and precise building materials. On the 156,000 sf First Tech Federal Credit Union project, there were 605 glulam columns and 465 glulam beams shop-fabricated so that they could be installed o

Prefabrication of timber elements allows for high-quality and precise building materials. On the 156,000 sf First Tech Federal Credit Union project, there were 605 glulam columns and 465 glulam beams shop-fabricated so that they could be installed on-site to within 1/8” of tolerance.

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Wood is structure, finish, and fire-proofing. The size of wood elements can be increased to withstand fire. Exposing the structure provides an exceptional finish, which minimizes the need to add ceilings and fire-proofing.

Wood is structure, finish, and fire-proofing. The size of wood elements can be increased to withstand fire. Exposing the structure provides an exceptional finish, which minimizes the need to add ceilings and fire-proofing.

Exposing the timber structure requires exceptional coordination of building systems. District Office uses gaps between the mass timber panels to distribute utilities like piping and conduit, without impacting the wood structure.

Exposing the timber structure requires exceptional coordination of building systems.
District Office uses gaps between the mass timber panels to distribute utilities
like piping and conduit, without impacting the wood structure.

Accelerated construction

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Mass timber buildings can bring cost savings through quicker construction schedules. Compared to a post-tension concrete building of similar size, the First Tech building’s structure took approximately 30% less time to construct.

Mass timber buildings can bring cost savings through quicker construction schedules. Compared to a post-tension concrete building of similar size, the First Tech building’s structure took approximately 30% less time to construct.

Smart pre-planning and digital coordination of projects is critical to capitalize on the speed of mass timber installation.

Smart pre-planning and digital coordination of projects is critical to capitalize on the speed of mass timber installation.

Robotic and automated fabrication ensures precise building materials

Robotic and automated fabrication ensures precise building materials

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Wood structures are light, yet strong, allowing them to perform well in seismic events. The lighter weight can also result in lower foundation costs.

Wood structures are light, yet strong, allowing them to perform well in seismic events. The lighter weight can also result in lower foundation costs.

Holistic approach

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Using life-cycle assessment tools, we can analyze a building’s impact on the environment throughout its entire life. This holistic approach takes into account not only a building’s construction and operation, but also how materials are sourced and h

Using life-cycle assessment tools, we can analyze a building’s impact on the environment throughout its entire life. This holistic approach takes into account not only a building’s construction and operation, but also how materials are sourced and how the building may be reused at the end of its life.

First Tech Federal Credit Union Hillsboro, Oregon 4,192 metric tons of CO2 stored 1,622 metric tons of greenhouse gas avoided Equivalent to removing 1,229 cars from the road for a year 46 minutes for Oregon forests to regrow the woo

First Tech Federal Credit Union Hillsboro, Oregon

4,192 metric tons of CO2 stored
1,622 metric tons of greenhouse gas avoided
Equivalent to removing 1,229 cars from the road for a year
46 minutes for Oregon forests to regrow the wood used

District Office Portland, Oregon 1,866 metric tons of CO2 stored 722 metric tons of greenhouse gas avoided Equivalent to removing 547 cars from the road for a year 20 minutes for Oregon forests to regrow the wood used

District Office Portland, Oregon

1,866 metric tons of CO2 stored
722 metric tons of greenhouse gas avoided
Equivalent to removing 547 cars from the road for a year
20 minutes for Oregon forests to regrow the wood used

Design Community Education Performance
Practice Sustainability All
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