Mass Timber: Why the Sudden Increase in Demand?

Mass Timber: Why the Sudden Increase in Demand?
What are the factors that are driving demand for mass timber? To what extent is this growth sustainable? What buiding types? What solutions?

Moderator: Pat Layton, Professor of Forestry & Director Wood Utilization + Design Instutute, Clemson University

Breakout Topic 1:
Nick Milestone, Chairman, TRADA
Global Innovations and Developments of Mass Timber
-An appreciation and timeline of how Mass Engineered Timber has evolved over the last 30 years into different building systems and how the development of Virtual Design and Construction has removed the barriers of integration with existing building materials both in constructions and as a prefabricated technology. Certain countries and have adopted mass timber for various building typologies based on social, political and economic reasons. This insight will reflect the current market demand and supply of mass timber and what obstacles and perceptions have been removed to allow for sustainable growth.

Breakout Topic 2:
Nicholas Sills, General Manager Customer and Technical Services, Structurlam
Mass Timber: Crossing the Construction Chasm
-An overview of the massive growth in Cross Laminated Timber and other Mass Timber products throughout North America, understanding the implications of this from a manufacturer’s perspective and looking forward to what the future will hold for construction with these paradigm shifting processes and products. How did Mass Timber get to where it is today? What does the future hold for construction?

Breakout Topic 3:
Mass Timber: Why the Sudden Increase in Demand?
Patrick Chouinard, Founder & New Business, Element5

There are many factors driving demand for mass timber. Among them are the availability of new products and technologies, a growing understanding of how to design in mass timber, a greater focus on delivering optimized buildings that perform across multiple values beyond simply cost and schedule (e.g. energy efficiency, occupant comfort, social impact), and new customer and government requirements for more sustainable development.

Patrick will discuss how the industry is changing, from a simple supply model to one where mass timber fabricators are solutions providers, engaged earlier in the project development process to help clients optimize their buildings for efficient mass timber construction. He will offer insights into the ‘sweet spot’ for mass timber opportunities in North America, outlining key building typologies best suited to prefabricated mass timber construction.