Mass Timber in Multi-Family Housing

Mass timber is often attached to the stigma of being more expensive than other building materials. Because of this, some people assume it only makes sense for one-off projects where innovation is celebrated but repeatability is not. Is this true, or do its other benefits result in overall cost efficiency? If it is true, how can we expect to build the number of new housing units needed across our country in a sustainable and affordable manner? Typical multi-family housing developments are in the range of 4-6 stories, often utilizing podium or pedestal construction with 1-2 stories of steel and concrete topped with 3-5 stories of light wood framing. Beyond these heights, building codes have historically required steel or concrete framing and, to justify the added costs of these materials, projects often go much taller. This has created a critical gap in housing developments in the range of 6-12 stories. Can mass timber multi-family projects make financial sense in the 4-6 story range, used in conjunction with light wood-frame systems? What new opportunities will the 2021 International Building Code create for mass timber housing in the 6-18 story range?
Mass timber has been successfully used in housing projects from single family homes to the currently-under construction 25 story Ascent tower in Milwaukee. This video discusses the code and design implications of using mass timber in multi-family housing.
Are you considering a mass timber project and would like free design support? WoodWorks provides free project assistance - let us know how our Regional Directors can help you:
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Ricky McLain is a structural engineer and mass timber specialist at WoodWorks. This video and this channel are based purely on Ricky's own observations, experiences and opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of WoodWorks.
Thumbnail credit: Marcus Kauffman, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
#masstimber #multifamilyhousing #architecture

[@officialsaucepan]

I wish my teachers would have shown me this channel at the beginning of my project instead of more than half way through

[@MeticulousDA]

Thank you @MassTimberHowTos!

[@gurbevanbelle]

very nice - watching all yr vids tnx from the netherlands!

[@emj2234]

Great . Without Bim it’s impossible to built this great material.

[@sokolmihajlovic1391]

Have not understood much. But still on point, no fuss, clean nice presentation. Great job.

[@kimblemooney2757]

Very concise and interesting

[@MassTimberHowTos]

Glad you thought so, thanks!

[@alifarah9]

Great video! Very concise and to the point. Keep em coming

[@MassTimberHowTos]

Thank you, more to come!

[@scottpostma6392]

Nice video.

[@davidbrianharrington7916]

I should add that multiple studs instead of lams and wet-spray cellulose or PLA/bio-plastic core instead of EPS will minimize costs further. But try and find that core in the SIPs industry!

[@davidbrianharrington7916]

The most cost-efficient use of wood would be LVL/glulam (depending on height) and I-joist floor framing with SIP walls, yet this is rarely seen outside of single family housing. Considering the affordable housing crisis, shouldn't this typology be the default method -- again considering the final project TOTAL cost?

[@mydlo3]

Are walls in post&beam structure made from clt as well, or are they light pre-fab wooden frame walls?

[@MassTimberHowTos]

They can be made with CLT, some project have done that such as the Lendlease privatized Army lodging hotels projects in the US. But many mass timber projects are using light wood-frame stud walls or steel stud walls.

[@lokesh303101]

Yes.