Mass Timber Market Updates - November 2023 - Week Fourtyseven

What if the way we build was transformed by a technology that is not only sustainable but also efficient and visually stunning? In our latest episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Mass Timber Construction. We explore the latest trends and advancements in the industry, including the burgeoning use of mass timber in the United States. We delve into a fascinating project involving the construction of a sculptural piece using mass timber in a unique way. The intricacies of this project involve a custom computer workflow system that tests fascinating aspects such as the direction of the wood grain and the amount of water the wood can hold.

We also turn our attention to the innovative use of mass timber in healthcare structure architecture with a close look at the new Health Sciences and Education Building at the University of Washington. The university has embraced mass timber to add a natural texture to its interior with the use of CLT panels and ceiling assemblies. In addition, we shine a spotlight on Timber Age Systems, a pioneering timber company that has bagged a substantial grant for constructing energy-efficient cross-laminated timber structures. Lastly, we discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' recent policy change requiring a mass timber structural option to be considered in all of its future projects. This episode is packed with exciting updates and insights into the transformation of mass timber construction.

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Episode Transcript

Bruce (00:01):
Ladies and gentlemen, we are live.
This is the moment you all havebeen waiting for.
It's time for the GlobalSensation, the one, the only the

(00:26):
undisputed heavyweight podcastin the world the Mass Timber
Construction Podcast.
And now here's Paul Kremer,your host.

Paul (00:50):
Good morning, good afternoon all, good evening.
Wherever you are in the worldtoday, welcome to the Mass
Timber Construction Podcast.
My name is Paul Kremer, yourhost.
Welcome again to another weekof all the interesting things
that are happening in MassTimber Construction Land, as we
bring you the news each week sothat you are informed about all
the amazing projects, and it'sactually getting very difficult

(01:11):
at the moment to keep up withall that are going on.
At the moment.
There is an abundance of work.
A recent report told me thatthere is currently under
construction up to 1500 projectsin the United States of America
, so there is a phenomenaltransformation in the way that
we view the technology over themany, many years that I've been

(01:32):
involved in reporting this news.
Let's have a look at what'smaking news this week in Mass
Timber Construction Land.
A high-gross shell, which is ashape of a structure that's
produced using Mass Timberelements, is a very
different-looking sculpture.
It's trying to make use of theaccurate material that was used

(01:55):
as a whole planning andproduction process, using a
custom computer workflow systemto test the methods that
consider important factors likethe direction of the wood grain
and the amount of water a woodwould hold and how that would be
shaping the process for thelength of the structure.
If you'd like to see some moreon this amazing sculptural piece
, please head to the Mass TimberConstruction Journal, linked in

(02:17):
feed and to news from theUniversity of Washington.
Now and the Miller-Hollspartnership, with the new Health
Sciences and Education Buildingat the University of Washington
, utilises sustainablestrategies to deliver
co-discipline, research,classroom and collaborative
spaces for the next generationof health professionals.

(02:37):
Featuring an innovativecomposite structural system
consisting of steel, concreteand, notably, in Mass Timber,
the HSEB is the first project tobe completed under the
University of Washington's newcampus master plan.
In an attempt to forego thesterile interiors which
typically define healthcarestructure architecture, miller

(03:00):
Hull chose to include CLT panelsand ceiling assemblies, adding
a natural texture to theinterior of the building.
Early on in the design process,the architects realized that a
full mass timber structure wasnot feasible due to necessarily
long horizontal spans whichwould require too many columns
to enable an open, flexibleclassroom, resulting in the

(03:23):
hybrid system developed by acollaboration effort between
Lease, crutchart, lewis and theuniversity researchers,
consisting of CLT panels toppedwith concrete slab and supported
by 53 foot spans on a steelbeam.
Normally long spans are stillrequired deep beams, which
shrink the ceiling height.
However, because of the depthof the composite system, this

(03:47):
was reduced, allowing for tallerinterior spaces.
If you'd like to see some moreon this, you can go to
arkpapercom or go to the masstimber construction journal
LinkedIn feed, and you can seeall the images there.
An innovative timber companycalled Timber Age Systems

(04:10):
received an innovative housingincentive program grant up to
$680,000 with the intention toconstruct 60 housing users.
The company utilizes ponderosapine wood to create energy
efficient cross-laminated timberstructures, and the wood comes
from the wood fire mitigationefforts that would otherwise

(04:33):
have been left for slash pilesand eventually burning.
The grant was awarded to TimberAge Systems by the Colorado
Office of Economic Developmentand International Trade.
The company is one of threecompanies that received a grant,
the others being Phoenix House,a grand junction and Huron
Components in Littleton.
According to the news release,a statement written by the

(04:55):
governor said I'm proud anddelighted to highlight the
innovative companies like TimberAge Systems, who are sharing
their goal of strategicallyincreasing affordable housing
across Colorado.
If you'd like to have a look atmore, head to Timber Age
Systems website or head to ourmass timber construction journal
LinkedIn feed and you'll beable to catch up on all the news

(05:16):
Standing in the US and the USArmy Corps of Engineers is
requiring a mass timberstructural option to be
considered at the design stageof all its vertical construction
projects.
Going forward, the US Armyreleased an engineer and
construction bulletin inSeptember which outlined a new
policy requiring theconsiderations for mass timber

(05:38):
as a structural option to allvertical construction projects
undertaken by the Army in all ofits civil works projects.
If you'd like to read moreabout this, you can go to the
engineering news record and youcan see the engineer research
and development center and youcan read the article called
mandatory considerations of masstimber in Army, military

(06:01):
construction, milcon and civilworks vertical construction
projects.
That's it, folks.
That's what we've got time forthis week in mass timber
construction land.
Don't forget to hit thesubscribe button if you're not
already a subscriber to thepodcast.
Make sure you never miss anepisode.
If you're looking for a journalpublication to put your
academic journal in, pleaseconsider the mass timber

(06:22):
construction journal and we lookforward to speaking to you
again next week.
Good morning, good afternoon orgood evening, wherever you are
in the world today, this is PaulKramer signing off on the mass
timber construction podcast.