HIGHLIGHTS
PROGRAM UPDATES
AWC’s Support Key to Tall Wood Updates in NFPA Standards Tall Mass Timber Toolkit Available for Fire Officials Think Wood Provides Carbon Footprint Education for Architects Think Wood Brand Refresh Brings Modern Look to Wood WoodWorks Meets AEC Demand for Education, ConvenienceINDUSTRY NEWS
New CLT Plant Planned in Montana Resolute Earns Major Recognition and Awards, including Executive of the Year Developer Pursues Mass Timber Overbuild in Vancouver Arup Principal Discusses Mass Timber Curtainwall Systems, Code Compliance Retail Sector Adapts, Innovates, Waits for Vaccine Five-Story CLT Catalyst Building Completed in SpokaneINSIGHTS ON THE COMPETITION
Concrete’s Efforts to Go Green Gain TractionINDUSTRY RESOUCES
Virginia Tech’s Monthly Housing ReportSLB Takes Steps to Maintain, Build Industry Momentum
The Softwood Lumber Board (SLB) continues to deliver steady, year-over-year growth and results for the softwood lumber industry, having now generated more than 7.1 billion board feet of incremental softwood lumber demand since 2012. Over the same period, the SLB delivered an average return on investment of $25 for every $1 spent, and its rate of return is growing exponentially each year. Read more about the SLB’s impact in the newly released Q2 newsletter here.
In 2019, the lumber industry voted overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the Softwood Lumber Checkoff Program and the work of the SLB for another seven years. After holding the assessment rate flat at $0.35 per thousand board feet since the SLB’s inception despite inflation rising 11.4% over the same period, the SLB’s Board of Directors recently made the carefully thought-out decision to increase the rate to $0.41 per thousand board feet starting in 2021. This modest increase will enable the SLB to continue to deliver meaningful results to the softwood lumber industry, at scale and irrespective of increasing investments in promotion by wood’s competitors.
SLB Board members, including Caroline Dauzat of Rex Lumber and Todd Payne of Seneca Sawmill Company, are working to ensure that all industry members are aware of the importance of the increase at this time. As both note, by working together under the umbrella of the SLB, the industry will protect what it has gained over the past seven years, build on its successes, and grow momentum and markets for our products.
SLB Education Funding Initiative to Fill Key Gaps in Capacity Building, Knowledge Transfer
Focus on an education funding initiative is a key part of the SLB’s strategy to support the significant expansion of softwood lumber use in modern wood-based building systems. As U.S. architecture and engineering training programs do not currently require education in wood-based building systems, the SLB and its programs are stepping up to help fulfill this role and support critical technology and knowledge transfer.
The new education initiative will include a scholarship/internship program modeled after education programs offered by competing industries; the ongoing training of contractors; the promotion and expansion of the SLB’s recently launched wood e-learning platform, woodinstitute.org; and the development of a timber design curriculum for undergraduate and graduate programs in architecture and engineering. The ultimate goal of the latter is to have timber design become a requirement for university programs accredited through such organizations as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and the National Architectural Accrediting Board.
Initial investments are already making a difference:
“I truly appreciate the Softwood Lumber Board for sponsoring my wood design course this semester. It is critical to have industry support in the classroom, especially this fall as the educational environment continues to be a challenge for students and educators alike. The sponsorship also helps fulfill the vision by the ASCE/SEI Wood Education Committee (Structure magazine, August 2020) to better prepare students for timber design by placing a copy of the National Design Specification (NDS) with students,” said Johnn Judd, assistant professor at Brigham Young University.
The Wood Institute Accepts New Courses, Broadens Catalog Offerings
In mid-July, the SLB launched its learning management system – The Wood Institute – creating the industry’s first on-demand learning platform spanning educaiton from the American Wood Council (AWC), Think Wood, and WoodWorks. The site reaches architects, engineers, building code officials, and contractors with the up-to-date knowledge they need to build and design with wood.
In its first six weeks, 246 accounts have been created with 141 courses completed. Architects and engineers are the majority of test takers at 70% and 20%, respectively. Top-performing courses include:
- Fire-Resistance Design Primer for Mass Timber Construction – AWC
- Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide (DCA6) – AWC
- Design of Bolted Connections – AWC
- IBC 2015 Essentials for Wood Construction – AWC
- The Impact of Wood Use on North American Forests – Think Wood
- Mass Timber in North America – Think Wood
- Forests and Forest Products – WoodWorks
- Exceeding Thermal Performance Goals by Choosing Wood – Think Wood
- Wood and Indoor Environment – Think Wood
The catalog at launched focused on cotinuing education courses accredited by AIA, ICC, GBCI, and more. The SLB is now broadening the catalog to contain nonaccredited educational offerings from partner organizations, including videos, articles, technical manuals, and webinars. To submit a course or courses for consideration, please contact Kabira Ferrell at ferrell@softwoodlumberboard.org.
Program Updates
AWC’s Support Key to Tall Wood Updates in NFPA Standards
The AWC gained recognition for tall mass timber buildings in the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA’s) 5000: Building, Construction and Safety Codes and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. The changes are compatible with and complement height and area limits approved for the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), but also allow for NFPA exceptions to support exposed mass timber elements and more stories, in some cases up to 21. The provisions were ratified during the June 2020 NFPA virtual membership meeting and approved by the NFPA Standards Council. These updated standards are the latest enabled by the AWC’s support and expertise, and they will further expand the market opportunity for tall mass timber buildings.
Tall Mass Timber Toolkit Available for Fire Officials
The AWC recently published a new toolkit for fire services, “Understanding the Tall Mass Timber Code Changes,” based on its WoodAware website. The toolkit provides a comprehensive understanding of the 2021 IBC code changes and details the International Code Council’s rationale and rigorous process, including the engagement of building-code and fire-service officials, which led to the approval of tall mass timber buildings up to 18 stories.
Think Wood Provides Carbon Footprint Education for Architects
As decarbonization strategies for the built environment shift from energy efficiency to embodied carbon, Think Wood is responding to ensure that specifiers understand lumber’s benefits. Think Wood recently developed a new CEU, “How to Calculate the Wood Carbon Footprint of a Building,” which is available on the Wood Institute website; will be featured in the September issue of Architectural Record; and will be summarized in an article for the October issue of Construction Specifier.
Think Wood’s carbon education and messaging are key interventions as competing materials begin to capitalize on sustainability messaging, including building life-cycle assessments, embodied carbon, and environmental product declarations (EPDs), as demonstrated in educational offerings from concrete’s Build With Strength campaign.
Think Wood Brand Refresh Brings Modern Look to Wood
Within the architecture and developer community, aesthetics are key to project differentiation and marketability. With this in mind, Think Wood recently updated its brand to create a unified, streamlined look and feel across its marketing platforms to make its messaging more memorable, increase traffic and engagement, and ultimately generate more leads.
The brand update involved a data-driven design process, based on market research from architects, developers, and residential contractors. Key insights included: 62% found color palettes with blue more compelling; 52% saw blue/green as best conveying sustainability; and 47% considered wood “modern and forward-thinking” after seeing the designs versus 29% at the start of the survey.
The brand refresh launched across all of Think Wood’s channels, including its updated website, in early September.
WoodWorks Meets AEC Demand for Education, Convenience
WoodWorks’ ability to quickly adjust to changing market dynamics is helping it stay on track to meet its education goals for 2020. WoodWorks recently hosted two virtual workshops focused on effectively bidding for and managing mass timber projects, which together reached nearly 450 developers and architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) professionals from across the United States. Understanding how mass timber differs from other building systems is key to cost-effectiveness, and in the absence of this knowledge, unreasonably high bids can result.
As moderators, WoodWorks staff engaged the audience and facilitated discussion during each session and organized well-attended regional “office hours” after each session to maximize engagement and networking. Partner exhibit halls also continue to grow in popularity, with concurrent halls garnering 2,700 views and resulting in 265 contact forms being submitted.
Industry News
New CLT Plant Planned in Montana
F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber, builder Pat Clark, and other investors have announced the creation of Stoltze Timber, a new joint venture mass timber production facility based in Columbia Falls, Montana. The company will specialize in large-format, cross laminated timber (CLT) panels using small trees. Using small trees will result in a smaller lam that will then be glued together to create high-strength wood panels suitable for homebuilding and other construction projects.
In addition to providing a high-demand, high-value construction product, the venture is also keen to make a meaningful contribution to forest management by utilizing the overabundance of lower-value, small-diameter timber currently found in Montana’s forests.
F.H. Stoltze General Manager Chuck Roady, a former SLB Board of Directors member, is part of this venture.
Read more about the facility here.
Resolute Earns Major Recognition and Awards, including Executive of the Year
On September 10, the 2020 International Business Awards (IBA) awarded Yves Laflamme, president and chief executive officer of Resolute Forest Products, a silver Stevie® award in the Executive of the Year – Manufacturing category. Laflamme’s contributions to sustainability played a key role in his selection.
Resolute also earned bronze Stevies in the Achievement in Human Resources and Human Resources Department of the Year categories for its employee relations and recruitment programs.
Recognition was also given to Resolute in area for Great Employers in three categories: a silver Stevie in the Recruiting or Talent Acquisition category for the Resolute Human Resources department, and two bronze awards.
Learn more about the Stevie Awards and all 2020 winners here.
Developer Pursues Mass Timber Overbuild in Vancouver
Reliance Properties, in partnership with Mcfarlane Biggar Architects & Designers, has proposed a three-story mass timber addition to an existing two-story, 1911-built warehouse near BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. The proposal includes mass timber beams and columns and laminated timber floors in a re-envisioned commercial and office space.
Read more about the project and view renderings here.
Arup Principal Discusses Mass Timber Curtainwall Systems, Code Compliance
The Facade Tectonics Institute’s (FTI’s) 2020 World Congress occurred virtually in August and featured a presentation from David Barber, principal for Arup, who explored the fire safety and code challenges for mass timber curtainwall systems. Speaking on behalf of his co-authors, HOK senior associate John Neary and FTI ambassador of innovation and collaboration Mic Patterson, Barber asserted that timber is a viable, more sustainable alternative to aluminum in curtainwall framing applications.
Although the 2021 IBC offers many exciting new opportunities for wood, it does not consider the use of timber on the exterior of a building. According to Barber, “The path for code compliance is difficult and fraught with potential misinterpretations and misunderstandings . . . partly due to the fact that we lack a lot of definitions around curtainwall and window wall systems.” As window frames are not part of the primary or secondary building structure, they do not require a fire-resistance rating; however, one part of the code says that they need to be completely noncombustible while other parts allow for exceptions, creating a significant gray area.
Barber and his colleagues are working to develop a system that will ensure code compliance. Read more about Barber’s presentation here.
Retail Sector Adapts, Innovates, Waits for Vaccine
The retail sector has been among the most damaged by the coronavirus pandemic. As analysts contemplate the future of the sector and the role of brick-and-mortar stores, many expect that a key to survival will be balancing the desire for in-store experiences with the ability to guarantee tenants’ and patrons’ health, well-being, and safety.
Many retailers have been working to adopt any combination of drive-through and curbside services, pop-up stores, at-home services, and/or integrating data and technology to offer better shopping experiences. These adjustments are prompting them to reassess their physical footprint. Overall, while retail analysts expect that e-commerce will continue to play a key role in consumer spending, many also believe that the advent of a vaccine will enable a turnaround for the sector as consumers continue to crave in-person shopping.
Read more here.
Five-Story CLT Catalyst Building Completed in Spokane
Construction is now complete of the five-story, 150,000-square-foot Catalyst Building in Spokane, Washington. The net-zero building was constructed of CLT and will be occupied primarily by Eastern Washington University. Built by construction start-up Katerra, it is one of several mass timber buildings expected to come online in Washington state in the coming years. Woodworks reports 45 completed mass timber projects in Washington, including this project which they provide project support, and another 46 buildings are in the planning/design phase.
Consumers, policymakers, and builders are drawn to mass timber based on its sustainability and cost appeals. According to the Seattle Times, “Environmentalists have said green materials like CLT are crucial to slowing the progress of climate change. Because it can be used in prefabricated developments, builders say CLT could play a role in getting offices and apartments up more quickly and cheaply.”
Read more here.
Insights on the Competition
Concrete’s Efforts to Go Green Gain Traction
The New York Times recently spotlighted investments by some concrete companies to innovate greener, more environmentally responsible products in an effort to reduce concrete’s carbon pollution load. Concrete is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions – if it were a country, its emissions would trail only the United States and China. Pressure is growing for the industry to create cleaner products, including from architects and developers who are keen to achieve lower embodied carbon footprints in their projects.
Companies such as Central Concrete, part of U.S. Concrete, are among those investing in low-emissions concrete, which represents 70% of their production, up from only 20% just over a decade ago. A company spokesperson stressed their effort to keep pricing on par with conventional concrete, believing that the product’s sustainability benefits will then become a key differentiator in the market.
Read The New York Times piece here.
Industry Resources
Virginia Tech’s Monthly Housing Report
This monthly housing commentary report is a free service of Virginia Tech and is intended to help one gauge future business activity in the U.S. housing market.
July 2020 Reports (released in September 2020)
Part A: July Housing Commentary
Part B: July Economic Conditions