Mass Timber: Introduction and Examples of Low-Carbon Housing

As the demand for sustainable and scalable housing solutions grows, mass timber—a family of high-performance engineered wood construction materials—is rapidly gaining momentum across the U.S. and in Michigan as an innovative alternative to traditional building materials. Made from a renewable, carbon-storing material – wood – and delivered as a prefabricated kit-of-parts, mass timber’s gaining market share due to its sustainability, structural, and efficiency benefits – not to mention its undeniable aesthetic appeal. This presentation will bring together leaders in the mass timber space to provide introductory context to mass timber, its growing momentum, and the diverse benefits it can offer to new and existing construction. Through a series of case study applications, this presentation will also explore housing projects from across the country that have integrated mass timber into their building designs. These examples will highlight key project details and the decision-making processes that led to selecting mass timber, offering valuable insight into how this material can address growing housing needs while contributing to the long-term decarbonization of our built environment.


Continuing Education Units (CEUS) submitted 1 hour in*

• NEW - International Code Council (ICC)
• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) NonWholeHouse
• Submitted for American Institute of Architects - AIA (HSW)
• Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
• Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP) Pillar(s): Energy, Health, Place
• American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD)
• State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
• Building Science Institute (BSI) Verifier
• Passive House Consultant US (CPHC)



Lessons Learned:

1. *Understand* that the use of mass timber as a renewable and carbon-storing material not only enhances environmental health but also plays a crucial role in the decarbonization of our built environment.
2. *Analyze* the structural performance and fire safety characteristics of mass timber to ensure the development of safe and resilient housing solutions.
3. *Introduce* mass timber design principles that promote occupant well-being through biophilic elements, which significantly contribute to long-term public health in residential settings.
4. *Articulate* the benefits of mass timber housing projects through real-world case studies that emphasize occupant welfare, community resilience, and efficient project outcomes.


Need CEUS?
Take the Quiz here:
https://greenhomeinstitute.thinkific....


Speakers:

Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU, Michigan State University

Sandra Lupien is the Director of MassTimber@MSU, a program at Michigan State University that harnesses outreach, communications, research, education, policy, and partnerships to advance mass timber construction and manufacture in Michigan and the surrounding region. In this role, she mobilizes and maintains a diverse network of hundreds of practitioners & stakeholders advancing mass timber construction and production and oversees a $1.5MM research and project portfolio.


Anthony Harvey, Regional Director, WoodWorks-Wood Products Council

Anthony is the WoodWorks Regional Director for Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. He works directly with developers and design teams, providing education and free technical project support related to the design, engineering and construction of commercial and multi-family wood buildings. A licensed Professional Engineer, he has knowledge to assist with all aspects of wood building design, including allowable heights and areas and construction types, structural detailing of wood and hybrid systems, fire resistance, acoustics, and alternate means of code compliance.