EVENT DETAIL

We are very fortunate to have our very own treasurer, Ms. Jessie Chen, presenting on her experience with the use of cross-laminated timber construction. This new engineered wood product is becoming more common as pilot projects take off. Building officials may find themselves very soon in a position to approve modifications to the IBC that include provisions for the use of cross-laminated timber.

Traditionally, wood structures have been limited typically to no more than 5 stories tall when constructed over concrete foundations. Many mixed-use buildings and apartment buildings today are constructed as “5-over-2” structures, referring to two stories of reinforced concrete at the base and 5 stories of wood-frame construction over the pedestal. Cross-laminated timber construction proposes to lift that restriction. Manufacturers of the product claim that the engineered wood can be used to construct mid-rise buildings more than 5 stories high. There is even a possible development project on the table in Tacoma right now for the construction of a mid-rise tower from cross-laminated timber.

If you’d like to get current on this new technology, or if you’re just tired of seeing every new building that goes up be a 5-over-2 structure and you look forward to the return of a little bit more originality in construction, come on out and listen to our talk!