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.
Ladies and gentlemen, we are live. This is the moment you all have been waiting for. It's time for the Global Sensation, the one, the only the undisputed heavyweight podcast in the world the Mass Timber Construction Podcast. And now here's Paul Kremer, your host.
Paul:
Good morning, good afternoon all, good evening. Wherever you are in the world today, welcome to the Mass Timber Construction Podcast. My name is Paul Kremer, your host. Welcome again to another week of all the interesting things that are happening in Mass Timber Construction Land, as we bring you the news each week so that you are informed about all the amazing projects, and it's actually getting very difficult at the moment to keep up with all that are going on. At the moment. There is an abundance of work. A recent report told me that there is currently under construction up to 1500 projects in the United States of America, so there is a phenomenal transformation in the way that we view the technology over the many, many years that I've been involved in reporting this news.
Paul:
Let's have a look at what's making news this week in Mass Timber Construction Land. A high-gross shell, which is a shape of a structure that's produced using Mass Timber elements, is a very different-looking sculpture. It's trying to make use of the accurate material that was used as a whole planning and production process, using a custom computer workflow system to test the methods that consider important factors like the direction of the wood grain and the amount of water a wood would hold and how that would be shaping the process for the length of the structure. If you'd like to see some more on this amazing sculptural piece, please head to the Mass Timber Construction Journal, linked in feed and to news from the University of Washington. Now and the Miller-Holls partnership, with the new Health Sciences and Education Building at the University of Washington, utilises sustainable strategies to deliver co-discipline, research, classroom and collaborative spaces for the next generation of health professionals. Featuring an innovative composite structural system consisting of steel, concrete and, notably, in Mass Timber, the HSEB is the first project to be completed under the University of Washington's new campus master plan.
Paul:
In an attempt to forego the sterile interiors which typically define healthcare structure architecture, miller Hull chose to include CLT panels and ceiling assemblies, adding a natural texture to the interior of the building. Early on in the design process, the architects realized that a full mass timber structure was not feasible due to necessarily long horizontal spans which would require too many columns to enable an open, flexible classroom, resulting in the hybrid system developed by a collaboration effort between Lease, crutchart, lewis and the university researchers, consisting of CLT panels topped with concrete slab and supported by 53 foot spans on a steel beam. Normally long spans are still required deep beams, which shrink the ceiling height. However, because of the depth of the composite system, this was reduced, allowing for taller interior spaces. If you'd like to see some more on this, you can go to arkpapercom or go to the mass timber construction journal LinkedIn feed, and you can see all the images there.
Paul:
An innovative timber company called Timber Age Systems received an innovative housing incentive program grant up to $680,000 with the intention to construct 60 housing users. The company utilizes ponderosa pine wood to create energy efficient cross-laminated timber structures, and the wood comes from the wood fire mitigation efforts that would otherwise have been left for slash piles and eventually burning. The grant was awarded to Timber Age Systems by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The company is one of three companies 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 governor said I'm proud and delighted to highlight the innovative companies like Timber Age Systems, who are sharing their goal of strategically increasing affordable housing across Colorado. If you'd like to have a look at more, head to Timber Age Systems website or head to our mass timber construction journal LinkedIn feed and you'll be able to catch up on all the news Standing in the US and the US Army Corps of Engineers is requiring a mass timber structural option to be considered at the design stage of all its vertical construction projects.
Paul:
Going forward, the US Army released an engineer and construction bulletin in September which outlined a new policy requiring the considerations for mass timber as a structural option to all vertical construction projects undertaken by the Army in all of its civil works projects. If you'd like to read more about this, you can go to the engineering news record and you can see the engineer research and development center and you can read the article called mandatory considerations of mass timber in Army, military construction, milcon and civil works vertical construction projects. That's it, folks. That's what we've got time for this week in mass timber construction land. Don't forget to hit the subscribe button if you're not already a subscriber to the podcast. Make sure you never miss an episode. If you're looking for a journal publication to put your academic journal in, please consider the mass timber construction journal and we look forward to speaking to you again next week. Good morning, good afternoon or good evening, wherever you are in the world today, this is Paul Kramer signing off on the mass timber construction podcast.