Timber Construction Projects

Summary

The Ascent building in Milwaukee is a groundbreaking project in the U.S., utilizing mass timber, a material that is surprisingly fire-resistant and sustainable. With 19 of its 25 floors constructed from massive timber beams, it will be the world's tallest timber structure. While mass timber offers environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions compared to steel and concrete, concerns about deforestation and sustainability remain. Despite these challenges, the project represents a significant innovation in architecture and construction, attracting global interest and setting a precedent for future developments.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Ascent building is a unique project in the United States, being the tallest structure of its kind built mostly out of wood.
• 🔥 Mass timber is a new technology that is surprisingly fire-resistant, allowing for the construction of larger and taller wood buildings.
• 🏗️ The first six floors of the Ascent building are built from traditional steel and concrete, while the 19 upper floors are constructed from mass timber.
• 💡 The idea to build the Ascent out of timber was driven by the aesthetic and environmental benefits of exposed wood in buildings.
• 🌍 Mass timber is gaining popularity in the United States, with 576 mass timber buildings built or under construction as of the script's date.
• 🌳 The sustainability aspect of mass timber is appealing, as it can lower a building's global warming potential compared to concrete and steel.
• 🚫 However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of increased demand for wood and the potential loss of forests as carbon sinks.
• 🏢 The Ascent building had to undergo extensive fire testing and meet strict building codes, proving its safety as a tall mass timber structure.
• 📏 Pre-construction work for mass timber buildings is extensive, requiring precise digital modeling and manufacturing to tight tolerances.
• 💰 The construction process using mass timber is faster and requires fewer workers, leading to potential savings on construction costs.
• 🏢 The Ascent building is already seeing significant interest, with nearly 10 percent of the units rented before the usual leasing period.

Q & A

What makes the construction of the Ascent building unique in the United States?

The Ascent building is unique because it is being constructed mostly out of wood, using a new technology called mass timber, which is a significant departure from the traditional use of steel and concrete in high-rise construction.

Why was there a need for innovation in the Ascent project?

Innovation was necessary in the Ascent project due to the use of mass timber, which required new approaches in fire testing, design, engineering, and approval processes, as it had not been done on such a scale before in the United States.

What is mass timber and how does it differ from traditional wood construction?

Mass timber is a construction material made from large panels or beams of wood that are layered and glued together. It is more fire-resistant than traditional wood and can be used to construct larger and taller buildings than conventional wood framing.

Why did Tim Gaukman choose to build the Ascent with timber?

Tim Gaukman chose to build with timber because of the aesthetic and environmental benefits. Exposed wood in buildings is visually appealing and provides a pleasant atmosphere. Additionally, mass timber is a sustainable building material.

How does mass timber compare to steel and concrete in terms of strength and load-bearing capacity?

Mass timber is strong and can carry massive loads, but it is not quite as strong as steel and concrete on an inch-for-inch basis. This means it may not be suitable for wide open floor plans without supporting columns.

What are some of the environmental benefits of using mass timber in construction?

Mass timber is considered more environmentally friendly because it can help reduce embodied carbon emissions associated with steel and concrete production. Trees, used in mass timber, act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide.

What concerns do environmental groups have regarding the increased use of mass timber?

Environmental groups are concerned that an increased demand for wood could lead to deforestation, loss of wildlife habitats, and reduced natural carbon sinks. They worry about the sustainability of mass timber if it leads to over-logging.

What challenges did architect Jason Korb face in designing the Ascent building?

Jason Korb faced challenges such as learning about mass timber construction, getting the city of Milwaukee to approve his plans, and proving the safety of the 25-story mass timber building, especially in terms of fire resistance.

How did the Ascent team address concerns about fire safety in a mass timber building?

The Ascent team conducted extensive fire testing in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. They discovered that mass timber chars rather than burns, with the charring layer acting as insulation to protect the rest of the wood.

What is the current state of mass timber construction in the United States compared to Europe?

Mass timber construction is more common in Europe, especially in Scandinavia, where there are taller buildings, including an 18-story tower in Norway. In the U.S., the tallest mass timber buildings are between 7 and 10 stories, partly due to slower adoption of building codes.

What are some of the construction benefits of using mass timber compared to traditional materials?

Mass timber construction offers benefits such as faster assembly, less labor requirement, and a cleaner, less strenuous work environment. It also allows for more precise pre-fabrication and can lead to cost savings in construction.