7:00 am Networking Breakfast

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Navigating the Current US Code Landscape

8:10 am Case Study: How We Partnered With Local AHJs to Accommodate Unique Mass Timber Requirements

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

8:50 am Panel: Exploring Regional Code From the Local Authorities Perspective: What Tips & Tricks Can You Use in Future Permitting Requests?

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: Improving Site Logistics

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 Panel: Streamlining Site Logistics to Accelerate Construction Speed

Synopsis

• Exploring the key considerations for optimizing site logistics, from transportation and storage through to assembly and installation

• Working with all trade contractors in preconstruction to bring new ideas to the table and walk through various scenarios to select the best solution for your project

• Improving the coordination of every project player and devising a plan to prevent bottlenecks in the future

11:10 am Enhancing Coordination Between MEP, Structural Trades & Manufacturers Onsite to Improve Ease & Speed of Installation

Synopsis

• Understanding the needs of each trade contractor to ensure the most logical installation schedule and minimize the potential need for rework

• Discussing how further MEP prefabrication can help accelerate installation, and the logistics of integrating this into project timelines

• Establishing and maintaining transparency between all project partners from the outset and throughout to better manage and coordinate team delays

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 Audience Discussion: Improving Early Coordination With MEP Systems to Reduce Design Limitations & Increase Constructability

Synopsis

• Discovering ways to enhance trust and collaboration between MEP and timber manufacturers to streamline coordination workflows

• Discussing the traditional MEP approaches that can limit timber manufacturers and vice versa to see how you can find a middle ground that works for all

• Benchmarking the tools and technologies that are currently on the market to enhance effective coordination

12:50 pm 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

1:30 pm Panel: Upskilling & Empowering Our Field & Installation Teams to Supercharge Mass Timber Success

  • Dean Lewis Director of Mass Timber & Prefabrication, Skanska
  • Brandon Brooks Construction Management & Program Manager, WoodWorks

Synopsis

• Exploring the best practices to upskilling field and installation teams from 1-1 training, field coaching and performance management

• Understanding ways to harness employees skills from elsewhere in the field: What hidden talents might they have that can benefit the way you build with timber?

• Maintaining a collaborative and open approach to address difficulties in the field before they become a pain point

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

4:10 pm End of Conference