The properties of wood buildings, such as sustainability and a low carbon footprint; structural, thermal, acoustic, and seismic performance; and fire and life safety, are contributing to an evolution of building taller with mass timber. New materials and design strategies are enabling a centuries-old practice to address modern building concerns and technologies. Code, too, is evolving to recognize the attributes of building with wood, and the 2021 International Building Code contains new provisions for building taller wood structures. This course delves deeper into this evolution, exploring why and how to design taller wood buildings.

Learning Objectives

  • Recognize that taller buildings (7-18 stories) can can be safely, efficiently, and economically built using mass timber construction techniques.
  • Discuss the different types of design approaches that can be used in mass timber construction to deliver safe, expressive taller wood architecture.
  • Explain the similarities and differences between mass timber and lumber products that allow building professionals to safely design and construct taller wood buildings.
  • Distinguish the differences between design approaches to achieving the acceptable structural passive fire protection measures in a mass timber building.

Pre-Requisite: Basic understanding of taller wood and building codes.