August 2023 is a momentous month for the mass timber industry, celebrating two landmark anniversaries that have profoundly shaped its growth and evolution. These milestones not only represent the remarkable progress made over the past years but also signal the immense potential and promise of mass timber as a sustainable building material of the future. As the world pivots toward more eco-friendly construction solutions, it’s essential to recognize these significant achievements and reflect on the transformative impact they have had on the industry.

The 10th Anniversary of the Wood Innovations Program

The first major milestone is the 10th anniversary of the Wood Innovations Program, established in August 2013. The program was a turning point in the development of mass timber in North America, serving as a catalyst for widespread adoption and providing the foundation for ongoing innovations in timber construction. Led by industry veteran Steve Marshall, the Wood Innovations Program was born out of a growing recognition that wood, and specifically engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), could play a pivotal role in modern construction by promoting sustainable forestry and offering a viable alternative to conventional building materials.

When the program launched a decade ago, its goals were ambitious but clear: to promote the use of wood in commercial construction, support the expansion of the mass timber industry, and provide technical and financial assistance to help stakeholders overcome initial barriers. The program’s success is reflected in its ability to not only achieve these objectives but to exceed them, setting the stage for mass timber’s current popularity and acceptance in the North American market.

Over the years, the Wood Innovations Program has made substantial contributions to the industry, funding numerous research projects, pilot programs, and feasibility studies. It has also played a crucial role in educating architects, engineers, and developers about the benefits of using wood in large-scale construction. The program’s investments in research and development have led to significant advancements in material testing, fire safety, and building code adaptations, making it safer and easier to use mass timber in a variety of applications.

Today, the legacy of the Wood Innovations Program is visible across the continent, with mass timber buildings sprouting up in major cities and rural communities alike. The program’s emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration has laid the groundwork for a new era of construction that prioritizes environmental responsibility without sacrificing strength or versatility. As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, it’s clear that the Wood Innovations Program has not only revolutionized how we think about wood in construction but has also redefined what’s possible with mass timber.

The 5th Anniversary of the U.S. Tall Wood Building Competition

The second significant milestone we commemorate this August is the 5th anniversary of the U.S. Tall Wood Building Competition, which was announced in 2018. This groundbreaking initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and supported by the Softwood Lumber Board, was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what mass timber could achieve. The competition sought to demonstrate that wood, a material historically limited to low- and mid-rise buildings, could be safely and effectively used for tall structures—paving the way for high-rise mass timber construction in the United States.

The Tall Wood Building Competition challenged the conventional wisdom of the construction industry and sparked a wave of innovation and creativity. The competition’s primary goal was to encourage the development of mass timber high-rise buildings that could meet stringent safety, environmental, and aesthetic standards. By offering a platform for architects and developers to explore the untapped potential of engineered wood products, the initiative helped accelerate the adoption of mass timber in large-scale projects.

One of the most significant outcomes of the competition was the construction of Ascent, a 25-story mass timber building in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Completed in 2022, Ascent holds the title of the world’s tallest mass timber building, showcasing the incredible structural capabilities of CLT and other engineered wood products. The building’s innovative design and engineering solutions have set a new benchmark for what’s achievable with mass timber, inspiring similar projects around the world.

The success of the Tall Wood Building Competition also had a profound impact on building codes and regulations. Before the competition, many jurisdictions were hesitant to allow the use of mass timber in tall buildings due to concerns about fire safety and structural integrity. However, the competition’s emphasis on rigorous testing and compliance led to changes in the International Building Code (IBC), which now permits the use of mass timber in buildings up to 18 stories tall. This regulatory shift has opened the door for even more ambitious mass timber projects in the future.

As we celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Tall Wood Building Competition, it’s important to recognize its role in changing perceptions about wood’s capabilities. The competition proved that mass timber is not just a sustainable building material—it’s a material that can meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and design. This milestone serves as a reminder of how far the industry has come and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.