Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance and Design

Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance and Design

An AIA LA Building Performance & Regulations Committee presentation by

Mike Romanowski, S.E. – Regional Director [CA-South, AZ, NM] – Project Support Field Division, WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

REGISTER HERE (Free w/ advance RSVP)

Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably-minded designers. This presentation will provide a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber (CLT), nail-laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes will be discussed, and examples of their use in U.S. projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish will also be highlighted, as will its performance as part of an assembly, considering design objectives related to structural performance, fire resistance, acoustics, and energy efficiency. Other topics will include detailing and construction best practices, lessons learned from completed projects and trends for the increased use of mass timber products in the future.

Learning Objectives:

1.  Identify mass timber products available in North America and consider how they can be used under current building codes and standards.
2. Review completed mass timber projects that demonstrate a range of applications and system configurations.
3. Discuss benefits of using mass timber products, including structural versatility, prefabrication, lighter carbon footprint, and reduced labor costs.
4. Highlight possibilities for the expanded use and application of mass timber in larger and taller buildings.

Additional Resources :

Mass Timber in North America

Mike Romanowski, S.E. – Regional Director [CA-South, AZ, NM] – Project Support Field Division, WoodWorks – Wood Products Council

Mike received his B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1979 and was involved in the practice of structural engineering for a number of San Diego based firms over a span of 37 years. His experience includes design, construction administration, contract plan checking, peer review and forensic investigations for various types of projects utilizing all types of building materials. Mike has had articles published in Structural Engineer and San Diego Constructor magazines, has served as an SEAOSD Director, was a member of the SEAOC Code Streamlining Committee and is now Co-Chair of the SEAOSD Sustainable Design Committee. Mike is a licensed Structural Engineer in the State of California and is currently the Regional Director covering Southern California, Arizona and New Mexico for WoodWorks.

REGISTER HERE (Free w/ advance RSVP)

AIA|LA Building Performance & Regulations Committee Leadership:

Robert Crawford, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, EDAC – Associate | Architect, SmithGroup (CHAIR)

Robert Crawford is involved with the Building Performance and Regulations Committee aiming to positively impact the wellness of occupants and energy efficiency of buildings. He is an experienced practicing architect with an interest in using recent technological advancements to inform and create human-experience-centric, environmentally conscientious, and socially just projects.

Crawford is an Associate at SmithGroup in Los Angeles where he has been recognized by ENR California as a Top 20 Under 40 design and construction professional. Prior to SmithGroup, he previously worked for Shigeru Ban Architects, wHY Architecture, and Michael Maltzan Architects. Robert has lectured in the US and abroad. His work has won multiple awards and been published in leading journals.

Robert holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rice University where he was the recipient of the William Ward Watkin Traveling Fellowship for best senior architecture project.

Zinayda Reyes, AIA, NCARB – Project Architect, Ware Malcomb (Vice-Chair/Chair-elect)

Zinayda Reyes, AIA, is a licensed architect based in the Los Angeles area. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona, and completed her 4th year at the International Program in Florence, Italy. Throughout her career, she has worked in the planning, design and construction of a variety of architectural typologies, consisting of residential, commercial, mixed use and historical renovations and rehabilitations. Her work has emphasized code analysis and interpretation, materials and systems research, document control, and construction administration. Zinayda’s main interests are building performance, user-centered design, and accessibility-compliance. She also inspires others in her professional life, by mentoring recent graduates and by teaching architecture to new generations of students. She has taught architecture at the Art Center for Kids program in Pasadena, CA. Born and raised in El Salvador, her interests are influenced by the needs she has observed in her community, and by the social consciousness acquired both during her youth and in her experiences in the greater-LA community. In addition to being an AIA member, she holds an NCARB certificate, and is actively involved with the International Code Council, Los Angeles Chapter.

PHOTO CREDITS:
DPR Office, SmithGroup, Buehler Engineering, DPR Construction
Photo by Chad Davies