Mass Timber continues to gain ground as an alternative building material. It is engineered for high strengths ratings like concrete and steel and can also be prefabricated as a "kit of parts" for ease of installation.

“Building with mass timber is a manufactured assembly process, not a construction process,” said DPR’s Scott Brown. "In a manufactured assembly process, we can develop a playbook that outlines daily activities including when certain trade partners need to be on-site, what engagement we need to have with them, when inspections are scheduled, and so on. We can develop this playbook before the project even starts."

Benefits of Mass Timber

Mass timber structures can include a variety of engineered wood products like large panels, columns, or beams. These members can be incorporated into structural supports, interior finishes, or as a complement to light frame structures. There are a multitude of benefits to building with mass timber.

Why Mass Timber?

DPR is a leader in building with mass timber, with an ever-growing portfolio. DPR was the first to incorporate mass timber into a lab space during the construction of a project in San Diego in 2018. At the Discovery Meadows Child Development Center in Gaithersburg, MD, DPR was one of the first to introduce CLT as an aspect of biophilia. DPR’s own office space in Sacramento, CA, designed by SmithGroup, was the first application of CLT shear walls in California. At the time of design review, Sacramento did not recognize CLT panels for use as lateral force-resisting elements. Using case studies, research and testing from different organizations, DPR’s design team was able to demonstrate to the city its equivalent or superior performance. In total, DPR has built 480,122 sq. ft. of space with mass timber across the U.S., equaling $16.6 million in revenue, $3.1 million of which was self-performed by DPR’s own craft employees. There are currently six active projects incorporating mass timber, and nine scheduled to be constructed in 2023, meaning DPR could create more than 1 million sq. ft. of mass timber space in the next two years.

The use of mass timber is accelerating. In 2020, the North American Mass Timber Report projected that there would be about 1,300 mass timber projects in the U.S. by 2024, but that number has been revised to around 3,000 projects. If this rate of construction continues, it means that by 2034, more carbon will be sequestered through mass timber buildings than is emitted by the construction industry.

There are, however, some concerns about building with mass timber, especially with regards to price, demand, and possible deforestation. The prices of lumber are returning to pre-COVID levels, making a stronger case for mass timber structures. That being said, mass timber buildings are expensive to build, but cost savings can be found in time and labor efficiencies. Concerning deforestation, forest growth is approximately 18% higher than the rate of harvesting thanks to responsible forest management practices. If sustainable forestry efforts continue to expand, increased use of mass timber should be feasible.

“Wood has long been considered one of the most sustainable building materials due to its renewability and carbon sequestration during growth,” said Ryan Poole, DPR’s global sustainability leader. Poole advises that the use of mass timber still needs to be incorporated with other building materials. “Mass timber buildings still consist of concrete and steel, and it is paramount we continue to find the correct balance that helps provide sustainable growth as we build a healthier future for people and the planet.”