First Advisor

Anna Goodman

Date of Award

Spring 6-13-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Architecture and University Honors

Department

Architecture

Language

English

Subjects

mass timber, sustainable, emotional, aesthetic, delightful

DOI

10.15760/honors.1721

Abstract

The current state of Mass Timber structures is in an interesting state at the moment; Mass Timber adoption has become a recent trend that has been taking place very recently. This is due to a number of factors, mainly the technology for mass timber has grown substantially, as well as human consciousness of our negative impact on the environment has led to a deep rethinking about how we build. In this paper, I examine what exactly mass timber is, why it is being used and what are the future and current benefits and challenges facing mass timber in modern design and construction? To answer some of these questions and understand the recent renaissance of mass timber, I looked into three different case studies from three separate states on the west coast of the United States, those being Portland, Seattle and San Francisco. I chose these three separate states, due to their geographical proximity to each other, but also the differences in each state's codes and regulations for construction. I chose the Heartwood Apartments in Seattle Washington, 1 De Haro in San Francisco and the Schnitzer Art and Design building in Portland Oregon. All three are mass timber, while two are commercial or private and the last is apartments. To get a wide range of knowledge and scope I talked to two experts in the field of mass timber, one an architect, another a manufacturing and fabrication designer for Timber Lab a mass timber fabrication lab in Portland Oregon. With the expert's knowledge, I looked into building codes and the fire resistance of mass timber structures to better understand the safety and viability of mass timber in commercial and residential settings. In the study I found that cost is still higher for mass timber structures, leading to mass timber being used in select projects and design accents rather than being the main structural component. Yet the fire resistance of mass timber is significantly high with a fire rating of 90 minutes, which is considered 'good' on the scale of fire resistance tests. Typical being an FR of 120 for a regular building. The most significant discovery about mass timber structures is the sustainability and reusability of wood as a material. As well as emotional and aesthetically delightful qualities of mass timber and wood in general benefit everyone. For future projects and design firms thinking of implementing mass timber into their designs, for now the cost is still greater than traditional methods however the emotional, spiritual and aesthetic qualities of wood and mass timber remain an appealing aperture of architecture and design. The future is bright for mass timber, with new generations aware of the impact humanity has on nature, perhaps our future is going back to our roots.

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Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43828

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