Europe has become a testing ground for innovative mass timber architecture, driven by policy, public support for sustainability, and a cultural shift toward renewable materials. For builders in the United States, these high-rise projects offer valuable technical lessons and design inspiration, demonstrating how hardwoods and engineered wood composites…
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Mass timber is increasingly popular in commercial architecture, and now healthcare and educational buildings are poised to embrace it in meaningful ways. Regulatory Shifts Unlock Possibilities The 2024 International Building Code (IBC) introduced new commercial construction types — IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C — that allow mass timber structures…
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Evaluating and approving a property’s drainage, topography, environmental conditions, and code compliance spurs a building project forward in earnest. For a timber frame build, additional requirements should be considered early in the planning process to ensure structural integrity as well as performance and durability for years to come. As…
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Even though mass timber construction was introduced in the 1990s, misconceptions about it persist, sometimes even among experienced builders, architects, and developers. Their uncertainty about mass timber’s strength, fire resistance, and cost can make them hesitant to consider the material for their projects. Here, we’ll explore some of the…
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In the years since the pandemic kept us all home and isolated, demand for outdoor living spaces has grown dramatically. Homeowners and developers alike are looking to counteract that sense of confinement with environments that extend daily life with outdoor living rooms, kitchens, fireplaces, bars, and entertainment systems. For architects,…
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There’s a new tool in timber’s toolbox, one that promises to revolutionize the efficiencies of the industry and produce astounding works of machine-assisted architecture. With the help of artificial intelligence, the heavy timber AEC industry is on the precipice of the extraordinary: computer-aided design that includes machine learning and…
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The benefits of building with heavy timber and mass timber (such as cross-laminated timber or glued laminated timber) for residential purposes are well-known, from biophilic advantages to sustainability and durability. These benefits are also present in commercial builds that use timber, but there are even more that might not be evident at first…
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While preconstruction is a critical phase in every building project, it plays an especially vital role in timber frame construction. Unlike traditional builds that may rely more on site-built methods and adaptable materials, heavy timber and mass timber projects depend heavily on precision, prefabrication, and planning. When the pieces are cut,…
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Designing for heavy and mass timber builds brings a unique set of complexities regarding the supply chain and timely delivery of materials. In contrast to steel and concrete, which can typically be delivered to a job site quickly, timber requires more engineering and manufacturing time. Many issues can be avoided, however, with careful planning…
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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…
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