What's New in Multifamily: Building Processes
Abstract
In 2016, the seven-story T3 Minneapolis office building became the tallest U.S. mass timber structure, followed two years later by the 12-story condo complex Carbon 12 in Portland, Ore. Around the same time, the International Code Council approved proposals that would allow other mass timber buildings to go up to nine, 12 or 18 stories as part of its 2021 International Building Code. Already 1,571 residential and commercial multifamily mass timber buildings have been constructed, according to WoodWorks, a nonprofit that tracks these numbers and provides education and other support related to U.S. wood buildings, says Bill Parsons, chief operating officer. Architect Jonathan Delcambre, managing partner for BKV in Dallas, adds, "Everyone on the team has to work on a faster track to keep up the pace." Better Quality Control and Savings on Materials Maybe Because of factory fabrication, which uses a digital building process, problems are typically resolved before installation, which is a boon to builders. "The key to healthy buildings," he adds, "Is healthy trees that come from sustainably managed forests where trees are harvested properly to maintain the health of remaining trees. The amount of carbon sequestered is equivalent to taking 2,400 cars off the road." Aesthetic Positives Mass timber can create an appealing repurposed industrial vibe in the interior when the wood is left exposed, Berg says. "Mass timber products have inherent fire resistance because they char on the outside while retaining structural strength, slowing combustion, and allowing ample time to evacuate a building," Parsons says. Jeff Spiritos's firm, Spiritos Properties, with partners Beulah Land Development and HELP Development, are developing 340 Dixwell with state low-income tax credits, a four-story, 69-unit, affordable, passive house building in New Haven, Conn. Though the mass timber products were shipped from Austria, they emit less carbon than ones shipped to New Haven by truck, he says.
