MassTimber at MSU

Don't miss George H. Berghorn, PhD, LEED AP, CGP, MassTimber@MSU Research Director, speaking TODAY at MSU Department of Forestry's Hanover Forest Science Seminar Series! He’ll provide an overview of MSU’s cross-campus, industry-engaged work in #masstimber research and take a deep dive into efforts shaping the workforce through curriculum development, educator training, and global experiences. https://lnkd.in/dm2FwQF7

Reminder! The next MI Mass Timber Community of Practice meeting is March 19th. When the 2021 Michigan Building Code takes effect on April 9, developers, building owners, and project teams will have access to three new mass timber building types, allowing for wood buildings up to 18 stories. Edward Lisinski, PE, CBO, Midwest Regional Manager with American Wood Council, will kick off our March 19 Michigan Mass Timber Community of Practice meeting with a presentation on the mass timber opportunities in these building codes, how they interact with fire codes, and more. Bring your questions! If you are currently involved in mass timber projects in Michigan and would like to receive access to these meetings, please fill out the form on our website. https://buff.ly/kIbWUdY

Next Thursday! Join us for an insightful webinar on Michigan State University’s groundbreaking STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, the second building in Michigan to utilize Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). This innovative project serves as a learning laboratory, leveraged by MassTimber at MSU to share valuable insights and inspiration for those interested seeking to build mass timber projects in Michigan and beyond. Register on our website at migbc.org/event

It's been a great week at the 2025 North American Iron Workers/IMPACT Conference with our partners Iron Workers International and Mercer Mass Timber, Element5, Rothoblaas, Simpson Strong-Tie, Sterling Structural, Vaagen Timbers, and Western Archrib. Plus, Sandra Lupien with MassTimber at MSU! Together, we've shared mass timber knowledge via a built mass timber mock-up in the exhibit hall, and educated erectors/contractors on how to successfully build hybrid wood and steel structures. Several sessions where held throughout the event on how we can collaborate to build great buildings together. Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust #masstimber #iwimpact2025 #iwimpact2025

We are so excited to see these projects celebrated and #masstimber recognized in MLive.com. Let’s keep the momentum going! ?? #MIMassTimberMomentum

#Michigan #masstimber folks—if you haven't already registered for the International Mass Timber Conference, now is the time! The next early bird registration deadline is 2/19. This year’s conference is bigger than ever, featuring five building/industry tours, more pre-conference workshops, and a massive expo hall. Since 2022, Michigan has had a strong presence, with 50-65 attendees each year. Michigan residents can use discount code: IMTC25MSUGROUP10 at checkout for 10% off. Once you’re registered, email Sandra Lupien at [email protected] so we can keep you in the loop with Michigan delegation updates and networking opportunities in Portland.

Next stop on Sandra Lupien's visit to Kalamazoo last week: the Kalamazoo Country Club ! All three buildings in this expansion will feature #masstimber, and you can already see the #CLT roof panels and #glulam beams and columns going up. Great to see the installers, Clark Contracting Services, in action. We were impressed by the scale of this project and are excited to return for a later phase of construction. Project team: Chambers Architects of Michigan, Inc, CSM Group, Clark Contracting Services, Element5

The #MIMassTimberMomentum is growing in 2025! Sandra Lupien visited two #masstimber projects in Kalamazoo, both currently under construction. First stop: checking out the progress at Kalamazoo RESA. The #CLT roof panels and #glulam beams are soaring and will create an inspiring environment for a range of programs, including veterinary tech, nursing, wood shop, auto shop, welding and more! We can’t wait for the grand opening later this year! Project team: Wightman, IMEG, CSM Group, Christman Constructors, Inc., Element5

At the 2024 Michigan Mass Timber Update, Randi Dodgson from Michigan Technological University shared research exploring hardwood for mass timber, tackling challenges like moisture content and adhesive bonding. They’re also testing hybrid #CLT layups using sugar maple and white spruce to maximize quality and reduce cost. Read more: https://buff.ly/4hTXoyT

NCSEA is hosting a #masstimber webinar this Monday (2/11)! The session, "Fire Design Specification for Wood Construction: A Resource for Mass Timber Design," will cover fire-resistance ratings and connection protection using the calculation approach from the NDS and FDS guidelines. This is a great resource if you’re working with mass timber and want to understand fire safety requirements!