In spaces where sound control is paramount — such as auditoriums, lecture halls, sanctuaries, and recording studios — mass timber beams and panels imbue warmth and clarity to the spoken word and live performances that other materials can’t match. Aesthetically, the natural beauty of timber gives these often-cavernous rooms a warm, inviting…
Read More
The Common Materials Framework (CMF) is a unified language created to be used across industries when evaluating building materials’ sustainability. Built on an organizing and analyzing project that gathered information from various certifications and disclosures, the CMF gives stakeholders a common reference point when comparing and selecting…
Read More
Mass timber has revitalized the construction industry’s appetite for sustainable, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing structures in both residential and commercial applications. Its benefits when compared to materials like steel and dimensional lumber are winning over architects, builders, and homeowners alike, with new projects beginning every…
Read More
Hurricanes are Earth’s most intense storms, generating astounding winds and torrential rain. When a hurricane makes landfall, damage is often calculated in the tens of billions of dollars. Homes are destroyed, businesses are ruined, and floodwaters, widespread destruction, and utility interruptions paralyze entire towns. Building with sturdy…
Read More
Corporations are increasingly demanding sustainable office buildings. As younger generations of employees rise through the ranks, they are clamoring for action. The desire to reduce their corporate carbon footprint, the push for offsite construction methods, and a demand for a healthy work environment, both mentally and physically, are driving…
Read More
On the Leading Edge Attending trade shows provides incredible opportunities to learn about new products directly from the innovators who are bringing them to market. Recently, we had the privilege of exhibiting at the Greenbuild/Mass Timber+ Conference in Philadelphia, and the takeaways were eye-opening. Greenbuild/Mass Timber+ is the world’s…
Read More
The thermal benefits of heavy timber are often an understated advantage in its use as a building material. On a basic level, timber enhances indoor comfort due to its cellular structure and mass. Dense species such as oak and Douglas fir are effective heat sinks, absorbing warm air and slowly releasing it, particularly in comparison to steel, which…
Read More
Biophilic design reconnects people with nature through architectural elements that enhance well-being, productivity, and community. As society spends more time indoors, mental and physical health issues arise, which biophilic design can help address. This approach creates tranquil spaces by incorporating organic materials, water features, and abundant…
Read More
Heavy timber construction for residential and commercial structures brings many advantages over cement and steel builds, including its strength, natural beauty, and sustainability. But not all timbers are created equal: To find the ideal mix of load-bearing strength, attractive grain and color, stability, and availability, we need only look to…
Read More
As the popularity of timber frame building grows around the world, standardization of certain hardware components has become inevitable. We’re seeing large national and international hardware distributors introduce connectors that work for a range of applications to bring increased productivity to the office and the jobsite. Standardized product…
Read More