8:00 am Networking Breakfast

8:30 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

  • Ricky McLain Growth & Innovation Program Manager, WoodWorks

Navigating the Current US Code Landscape

8:40 am Case Study: How We Partnered With Local AHJs to Accommodate Unique Mass Timber Requirements

  • Ethan Martin Director of Sustainability & Mass Timber, DCI Engineers

Synopsis

• Revealing our initial plans for the project, from building type, to timber type, height and client requirements: What elements were outside of the code that we needed to accommodate in permitting and how did we do this? 

• Outlining the initial resistance we were met with when submitting this plan and why

• Reviewing the steps we took to collaborate with our local inspector to provide adequate support for the unique project elements and ensure successful permitting

9:20 am Fireside Chat: Exploring Regional Code From the Local Authorities Perspective: What Tips & Tricks Can You Use in Future Permitting Requests?

  • John Walser Deputy Chief, Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Synopsis

• Understanding the main concerns of permitting officials from across the nation when it comes to mass timber projects 

• Collaborating with officials early on in the planning stages to streamline the project approval process 

• Discussing the additional tests and proof that can help teams support innovative design submissions to prove fire and structural safety

10:00 am Morning Refreshments

Track 1: Optimizing Cost Through Design

Track 2: Introducing Timber to Different Project Types

10:30 am Exploring the New Fire Design Regulations to Improve Fire Resistance & Structural Integrity

  • Jason Smart Director of Fire Engineering, American Wood Council

Synopsis

• Overviewing the new Fire Design Specification for wood construction and understanding what it means for your projects

• Benchmarking design adaptations you can make to improve fire resistance, highlighting the importance of collaborating with contractors from the outset to inform these changes

• Discussing innovations on the market from new materials, coatings and structural systems that can further improve fire resistance

11:10 am Case Study: Improving the Design of Hybrid Structures to Maximize the Biophilic Benefits

Synopsis

  • Understanding the different options for hybrid timber buildings, and the benefits and drawbacks of each approach
  • Revealing the best ways to incorporate steel and concrete into a hybrid design whilst still showcasing enough wood to have biophilic benefits
  • Exploring the main challenges with connecting steel and concrete with timber and how you can overcome these

10:30 am Case Study: Bringing Mass Timber to Low Rise Residential Multi-Family

Synopsis

  • Exploring the benefits and efficiencies of a 5-story multifamily residential project using CLT floor systems
  • Highlighting the main reasons why developers would choose mass timber for this type of application
  • Revealing the best practices to increase speed of construction and design application for using CLT decks to replace TJI systems
  • Showcasing a program for the southeast that will bring over 1000 new beds using this construction type

11:10 am Case Study: Introducing Timber to a Publicly Funded Project

  • Adam Green Project Manager, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Synopsis

• Discussing how we navigated the legal and procurement challenges of working with Timber on a state funded project, minimizing disruption of knowledge from design through construction

• Getting the team of field and trade personnel up to speed with working with a new product: What were the challenges and learnings?

• Understanding the complexities of dealing with timber onsite – from delivery through installation and protection – to ensure the highest quality finish on the final building

11:50 am Networking Lunch

Track 1: Driving Collaborative Design Workflows

Track 2: Developing & Retaining Field Talent

12:50 pm Panel: Rethinking Traditional Design Approaches to Maximize Constructability

Synopsis

• Overviewing traditional design timelines to understand where difficulties, delays and miscommunications could arise on mass timber projects

• Discussing the changes you need to make to team collaboration and design decision making timelines, particularly as it pertains to early involvement of trade contractors and manufacturers for success

• Building long lasting partnerships with stakeholders to optimize projects in the future and stop reinventing the wheel

1:30 pm Improving Early Coordination With MEP Systems to Reduce Design Limitations & Increase Constructability

Synopsis

• How to consider structural, mechanical, and owner needs early in design to set your project up for success

• Selecting structural framing strategies for seamless MEP systems integration

• MEP systems selection for performance and aesthetic goals

12:50 pm Fireside Chat: Upskilling & Empowering Our Field & Installation Teams to Supercharge Mass Timber Success

Synopsis

  • Discussing preliminary work that sets the construction site up for success: from working with designers to prevent moisture intrusion to making connections more constructible
  • Selecting the onsite team with the right skillsets for mass timber installation
  • Arming your team with the tools and tips to simplify logistics, streamline materials management and prepare all trades for working with new material
  • Ensuring knowledge sharing across experienced personnel to expedite the learning curve of working with mass timber

1:30 pm Audience Discussion: Exploring Strategies for Finding & Retaining Skilled Installation Crews

Synopsis

  • Understanding the backgrounds of experienced installation crews today and how you can identify potential candidates for your own project
  • Navigating union pushback to facilitate carpentry firms involvement
  • Considering the strategies being utilized to develop and retain a skilled workforce, from apprenticeships programs to benefits and incentives

2:10 pm Afternoon Refreshments

Sustaining Innovation

2:40 pm Breakouts: Exploring Best Practices for Delivering Different Types of Mass Timber Structures

Synopsis

• Exploring the challenges, limitations and opportunities for developing mass timber projects within your specific market 

• Reflecting on past projects to reveal lessons learned along the way: What were some of the roadblocks you didn’t anticipate and how did you overcome them?

• Understanding where mass timber project delivery is headed for your specific market and outlining goals and achievements for projects within the next five years

3:20 pm Panel: Driving Innovation & Accessibility of Mass Timber as a Building Product

Synopsis

• Discussing the steps that we collectively need to take to improve the accessibility and affordability of mass timber

• Exploring the latest innovations in timber engineering and design, from new structural systems through to brand new materials and technologies to understand what you need to do to stay ahead of the curve

• Continuing to leverage partnerships and collaboration between industry players, developers, AHJ's and academic institutions to ensure continuous innovation

4:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

  • Ricky McLain Growth & Innovation Program Manager, WoodWorks

4:10 pm End of Conference