Headlines change fast, but this week’s timber stories carry real weight. We start with a personal moment that grounds the show, then move into a tour of breakthroughs and big bets shaping the future of low-carbon construction. From a landmark conference to a new connection system and skyline-defining projects, the conversation is all about making mass timber faster, stronger, and more visible.

We share updates on the International Mass Timber Conference as it heads into a milestone year, reflecting on how a decade of shared research and community has pushed the industry forward. Then we break down Rothoblaas’ Radial connection system and why factory pre-installation, tighter tolerances, and rapid on-site assembly matter to developers and contractors chasing schedule certainty and cost control. If you care about embodied carbon and buildability, these details are the difference between an idea and a signed contract.

Our global tour continues with planning approval for a mixed use campus in Shoreditch, where creative retrofit meets new-build to strengthen the public realm. In Texas, a 212,000-square-foot Mass Timber Experiential Learning Hub at Texas A&M ties regional sourcing to a bold educational vision set to open in 2028. And in Sydney, Atlassian Central’s hybrid timber frame reveals lush “habitats” that make climate leadership tangible in a major commercial tower anchoring the city’s tech precinct.

We close with a major signal from Big Tech: Amazon’s full-scale mass timber trials for data centres. When logistics giants aim to cut embodied carbon without sacrificing speed or reliability, suppliers, engineers, and insurers all pay attention. That momentum, combined with Microsoft and Google exploring similar paths, suggests mass timber is moving from showcase to standard in mission-critical facilities. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs a spark, and tell us: which project points most clearly to the future you want to build?

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Tired of hearing that mass timber is “promising” but not practical? We dig into what actually moves the needle: turning raw products into clean, repeatable systems that installers love and owners can price with confidence. No fluff—just the playbook that took projects from pause to go, even as tariffs and supply shocks rattled budgets.

We start with the shift from panels to platforms: shaft wall systems that swap in for CMU without fuss, union training and mock‑ups that build real‑world confidence, and a timber bay approach designed for warehouses and data centres. Then we unpack a standout case study—the Amazon final‑mile warehouse in Indiana—where early alignment around a mass‑timber‑forward hybrid, local forests, and a tight grid delivered speed, beauty, and over 40 sustainability strategies. When teams coordinate around the module, cost and schedule stop fighting each other.

Data centre interiors get a rethink too. A patent‑pending CLT base for electrical equipment skids replaces thick steel plates, shortens lead times, and can generate significant sustainability wins. Pair that with the rise of modular, edge data centres and you’ve got a new standard for fit‑out speed and embodied carbon reduction. Along the way, we make the case for hybrid construction as the default future: concrete where it belongs, steel where it performs, and timber where it excels. Use a practical “purity” lens and real invoice volumes to find the tipping points for cost and carbon, region by region.

This conversation champions regional species and honest specs—span tables over wish lists, performance criteria over perfection. Knots are not defects; they’re the story of the forest. And that story extends to circularity: repeatable grids that enable disassembly, second‑life panels, and cross‑market reuse, all supported by a healthy whole‑tree economy that includes sawmills, bioenergy, and paper. Subscribe for more grounded, system‑level insights, share this with a colleague who needs a faster path to low‑carbon builds, and leave a review to tell us which system you want to try next.

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CLTower Shaft Walls

CLTimber Bay System

CLTrainer Mock-up

Design Manual 

Amazon DII5 Warehouse - Shout out to ZGF Architects and KPFF Engineers

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Headlines celebrate the big wins, but the real story of mass timber lives in the details: policy nudges that turn into buildings, design that solves for climate and community, and projects that grapple with the cost shocks of a volatile market. We walk through a week where funding unlocks four new demonstrations in British Columbia, a tall hybrid tower in Milwaukee hits pause under tariffs and inflation, and a bold academic centre in Arkansas shows how timber can be both structure and story.

We start with BC’s $2 million push across Vancouver, Surrey and Nelson, where family housing, below-market rentals, mixed-use offices and a rural climbing gym show the range of what wood can deliver. Then we turn to resilience in delivery: the 31-storey Neutral Project pauses to reassess budgets and timing, a candid reminder that even low-carbon materials must navigate procurement risks and capital constraints. Along the way, we spotlight the Anthony Timberlands Center from Grafton Architects and Modus Studio—CLT spanning to glulam gutter beams under a cascading roof that shades, channels rainwater to bioswales, and establishes a civic landmark for arts and design.

Finally, we head to Oregon, where Portland’s Terminal 2 shifts from marine shipping to a mass timber research and manufacturing campus. Soil stabilisation, phased timelines, and a funding gap don’t dampen the ambition: create a regional engine that can lower housing costs, speed delivery, and cut embodied carbon. From Atlassian’s timber beacon in Sydney to local manufacturing bets in the Pacific Northwest, the throughline is clear—mass timber isn’t a trend; it’s an operating system for a cleaner, faster, more human city.

If you’re curious about where wood meets policy, design, and industry, this episode is a concise briefing on what matters now and what’s next. Subscribe, share with a colleague who builds or designs, and leave a review with the project you think will move the needle most.

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Big moves in mass timber are landing across sport, offices, research labs, and civic spaces—and the ripple effects are hard to ignore. We kick off with Fukushima United FC’s proposed 5,000‑seat timber stadium, a circular design that aims to reduce waste, maximise reuse, and stand as a sign of recovery for a community shaped by the 2011 disaster. From modular elements to reversible connections, the vision doubles as a blueprint for how mid‑scale venues can evolve over decades without locking in carbon or demolition costs.

Then we head to Sweden, where the Fire Torrent office tower climbs to 51.5 metres without a concrete core. Glulam frames, CLT slabs, and integrated solar show how a fabric‑first approach can deliver stability, performance, and character. We unpack what this means for lateral systems, fire safety, and whole‑life carbon, and why pure timber towers expand the design space beyond familiar hybrids. If you’re tracking tall timber, this one belongs on your watchlist.

The research front brings a potential game‑changer: Swiss teams demonstrate that timber walls with windows can resist over 100 kN of horizontal load, challenging a long‑held assumption that often forced overdesign. Better data on openings unlocks smarter layouts, more daylight, and lower embodied carbon, while paving the way for code updates. We connect those findings to real projects, including Northstowe’s Unity Centre—now topped out with an exposed CLT frame, a sawtooth roof, and a flexible program of hall, café, civic offices, and co‑working. Finally, we spotlight Scotland’s BEST innovation campus relaunch and its Mass Timber Centre for Excellence inside the national retrofit hub, where industry, academia, and policymakers will accelerate testing, training, and circular construction.

If low‑carbon building, circular design, and code‑level evidence matter to you, this update delivers the signals you need. Follow the links on our LinkedIn feed for visuals and research, subscribe for weekly updates, and share this episode with someone who still thinks wood can’t go tall or carry the load. Got a paper or case study to publish? Send it our way and help move the field forward.

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Headlines are easy; proof is better. This week we track real progress you can use: a global seminar that brings steel, concrete, and timber into one hybrid toolkit; a UK system that simplifies glulam frames, CLT floors, and cassette façades; and a practical moisture guide that turns a common risk into a clear plan. We dig into why hybrids are winning on cost, speed, and carbon—and how design teams can standardise details to deliver predictable results on live sites.

We also spotlight hands-on learning. The Think Wood and SUNY construction management workshop in Syracuse offers 2.5 days of practical skills—erection sequencing, vibration criteria, fire and acoustic planning, logistics, and shop drawing review—so students and professionals can move from curiosity to capability. Then we head to Arkansas, where the Anthony Timberlands Center anchors research and making under one roof: wood and metal shops, 3D printing, and an external yard designed for prototyping joints, testing moisture strategies, and validating spans. It’s a living lab that links regional forestry to high‑performance design and transparent carbon accounting.

Finally, we celebrate a civic milestone: Ireland’s first privately developed net‑zero public building, a mass timber crèche and community centre at Altador Gardens. It’s proof that responsible sourcing, fabric‑first envelopes, and smart systems can bring down embodied and operational carbon in everyday buildings—not just flagships. Along the way, we share links, resources, and ways to participate, from the international seminar in Italy to open guides and our LinkedIn updates. If you value practical timber knowledge, subscribe, share this episode with a colleague who needs a hybrid playbook, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

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Want a clear view of where mass timber is winning right now? We walk through five fresh stories that tie speed, carbon, and human-centred design into one practical playbook—then cap it with a new moisture management guide that raises the quality bar for everyone building with wood.

We start with Heathrow’s Eastern Business Park, where logistics pressures demand fast delivery and minimal disruption. Prefabricated roof panels arrive with solar arrays integrated, steel frames are pre-assembled and reassembled on site, and cross-laminated timber sections drop into place with precision. It’s a case study in how digital planning and factory-first workflows translate into fewer site hours and better energy performance from day one.

From there, we head to Oregon’s La Plaza Esperanza, a mass timber community hub designed by ZGF that offsets roughly 80% of its energy use with solar. The exposed structure, sloped roof, and light-filled rooms support a bilingual preschool, youth programmes, and a flexible hall for celebrations—proof that CLT can carry beauty, comfort, and equity in the same envelope. We also spotlight Matt’s Place 2.0 in Spokane, an ALS-friendly smart home that pairs CLT and modular construction with voice-activated controls for doors, lighting, and security, protecting dignity as mobility declines. Then it’s over to Gdańsk, where the Fahrenheit student housing complex uses CLT for sustainable, adaptable dorms that balance privacy, daylight, and social spaces—an honest answer to modern student needs.

Threading through every segment is the importance of water tightness and durability. The Danish Technological Institute’s new moisture management guide—supported by Built by Nature—offers practical strategies, role clarity, monitoring plans, and checklists that teams can adopt from design through operations. If you’re serious about mass timber, this is the handbook that keeps performance on track and risk under control.

If these stories sparked ideas, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps more builders, designers, and clients find the path to better timber projects.

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Ten years can transform a niche into a movement. We’re back with a packed update that traces mass timber’s surge from small conference rooms to global milestones, spotlighting the people, projects, and playbooks that make low‑carbon building practical. We kick off with the International Mass Timber Conference turning ten in 2026—an open call for submissions that signals how far the field has come and how much the community now drives the agenda with real‑world data and project outcomes.

Research sits at the centre of this momentum. We share a decade‑wide literature review that charts progress in fire strategy, moisture management, acoustics, and connection design—areas that once felt like barriers and now read like solvable design choices. That research energy pairs with education on the ground: the first comprehensive textbook on managing mass timber projects arrives to help builders plan procurement, sequencing, and risk with confidence, while Kew’s Saffron Learning Centre demonstrates net zero performance and Passive House targets through CLT, airtight envelopes, and simple, smart services.

Design innovation is pushing the boundaries of scale and clarity. We dig into a hybrid glulam–steel truss spanning 85 metres, optimised with parametric tools so timber takes compression and steel takes tension, with visible connection craft that teaches as it impresses. We also head to Germany for Brainergy Hub—a circular timber‑hybrid landmark and social heart of a new innovation park focused on renewable energy, bioeconomy, and digitalisation—showing how civic projects can normalise timber at scale and set the tone for a greener urban identity.

If you’re building, studying, or simply curious about where architecture and carbon accountability meet, this conversation maps the latest proof points and the next steps. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a spark, and leave a review telling us which project or insight you want us to unpack next.

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Global innovations in mass timber construction are taking centre stage as sustainable building practices continue to evolve worldwide. Our latest roundup takes you on a journey across three continents to explore cutting-edge projects that demonstrate the versatility, beauty, and environmental benefits of engineered wood construction.

We start in Canada, where the Carmen Corbasso Community Centre has unveiled a stunning renovation featuring an impressive glulam structure spanning its swimming pool—creating one of the most visually striking indoor aquatic facilities you'll see anywhere. Moving to London, we explore the London School of Economics' ambitious £100 million retrofit project that will become the UK's largest passive house retrofit building, incorporating cross-laminated timber to breathe new life into a 1950s structure while significantly expanding its footprint and sustainability credentials.

Berlin's Dockyard offers another perspective on timber innovation with its seven-story hybrid construction featuring sustainable beech trusswark and thoughtful design elements that reflect its waterfront setting. Not to be outdone, Amsterdam's DPG Media headquarters stands as one of Europe's leading timber-hybrid office buildings, incorporating 7,000 cubic metres of CLT while housing complex media production facilities. For residential applications, we examine Germany's TricBric project using innovative dowel-jointed timber blocks, while perhaps most significantly, we share groundbreaking news from Canada where developer Neutral has achieved a critical three-hour fire test for mass timber assemblies—potentially revolutionising how we approach building codes and regulations for tall timber structures.

The mass timber revolution continues to gain momentum, with these projects demonstrating how engineered wood can meet diverse architectural challenges while offering substantial environmental benefits. Don't forget to enter the Rothoblast "Build the Impossible" competition before year-end, and secure your tickets for the 10th anniversary International Mass Timber Conference in Portland next year. Subscribe now to stay updated on the latest developments as we track the growth of sustainable construction worldwide.

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Join Paul for another action-packed exploration of mass timber innovation sweeping across the globe. This episode showcases how this revolutionary building material is being embraced by tech giants, municipalities, and forward-thinking developers alike.

We dive into Zublin's ambitious hybrid timber complex being constructed above Munich's metro line—a stunning example of how mass timber can solve complex urban development challenges while meeting rigorous sustainability standards. The LOVT Vibe office complex aims for LEED Platinum certification and features innovative elements like planted terrace boxes and extensive bicycle parking.

The spotlight then shifts to Meta's groundbreaking decision to replace steel and concrete with mass timber in their expanding data center infrastructure. With their first timber administrative structure already complete in South Carolina and another underway in Alabama, the tech giant is demonstrating how even the most demanding building applications can benefit from timber's environmental advantages, potentially reducing embodied carbon by 40%.

Municipal leadership takes center stage as we explore Halifax Council's unanimous support for a potential 10-12 story mass timber building and Santa Monica's acceptance of a $100,000 grant to evaluate timber construction as part of their carbon reduction strategy. These initiatives highlight how cities are recognizing timber's role in fighting climate change while stimulating local economies and supply chains.

From Brazilian prefab innovations to New York City's climate technology accelerators and Stockton's impressive 10-meter play towers, this episode demonstrates mass timber's versatility across residential, commercial, and recreational applications. Each project showcases a different facet of how engineered wood products are transforming our built environment for a more sustainable future.

Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we continue tracking the remarkable rise of mass timber construction worldwide. Your support helps spread awareness of these game-changing approaches to sustainable building.

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Mass timber construction continues its remarkable global ascent as sustainable building practices gain momentum across continents. This week's roundup captures the pulse of an industry transforming our built environment through innovation and environmental consciousness.

The United Nations Human Settlements Program has taken a significant step forward by advocating for green building codes that prioritize biobased materials—particularly mass timber—alongside circular construction principles and nature-based design elements. This global endorsement amplifies what practitioners have long understood: timber construction represents one of our most powerful tools against climate change.

Australia celebrates a milestone with the ACT government's unveiling of the new Canberra Institute of Technology wooden campus. Designed by Grey Poxon, this stunning facility seamlessly integrates education with community life through thoughtful design that eliminates traditional barriers between learning and civic participation. Meanwhile, Canada's housing shortage is driving unprecedented interest in mid-rise mass timber buildings (7-12 stories), perfectly positioned to address urban density needs while meeting sustainability goals.

We spotlight several breathtaking projects that showcase timber's versatility: McCallum Sather's Passive House certified affordable building in Hamilton; Vancouver's PNE Amphitheater with its innovative acoustic-controlling wooden roof design; and Western Arch Rib's record-breaking storage facility featuring a 160-foot curved glulam beam spanning an astonishing 233 feet. Each project demonstrates how mass timber continues to push boundaries of what's possible in modern construction.

Don't miss the Build the Impossible competition from Rathoblast and start planning now for the landmark 10th International Mass Timber Conference coming to Portland in 2026. Have research to share? We welcome manuscript submissions to help advance industry knowledge. Subscribe, like, and join our growing community of timber enthusiasts shaping a more sustainable built environment.

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The latest Mass Timber Construction Podcast delivers breaking news from around the globe, celebrating groundbreaking achievements in sustainable wooden architecture. Host Paul Kramer highlights several milestone projects reshaping our built environment through innovative timber solutions.

Utah's Baltic Point has just made history, becoming the state's first mass timber building to reach 100% occupancy. Located in the heart of Silicon Slopes tech hub, this sustainable structure has attracted venture capital firms, consumer retail companies, and defense manufacturers, proving the market's growing appetite for eco-conscious workspaces. Meanwhile, the newly completed Kilowana International Airport terminal showcases British Columbia's leadership in timber design and construction, demonstrating how large-scale infrastructure can embrace sustainability without compromise.

Scientific validation continues to power the mass timber revolution, with Nature Communications publishing comprehensive research confirming what industry leaders have long advocated: widespread adoption of engineered timber products positively impacts carbon storage while potentially expanding forests. This research aligns with projects like the Ruby Falls headquarters and Skanska's AI Research Building at New York's Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory—both exemplifying how timber construction meets rigorous performance standards while delivering environmental benefits. The podcast also highlights the Rothoblast Build the Impossible competition, challenging designers to explore hybrid steel-timber combinations that represent the future of construction: using "the right material in the right place for the right purpose, at the right time, in the right amounts."

Ready to join the sustainable building revolution? Check out the Build the Impossible contest and follow the podcast's LinkedIn feed for striking images of completed projects mentioned in this episode. Subscribe to stay informed about global developments in mass timber construction and be part of the movement transforming our built environment one wooden building at a time.

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