Archinect - News

New California building codes allow for high-rise mass timber buildings

2022-08-08T18:33:00-04:00

California building codes were updated in July to allow for the construction of mass timber buildings up to 18 stories tall. [...] "There's been extensive testing for this application and taking mass timber into taller wood buildings [...] The building codes are very conservative in the U.S. Even though Europe has been using mass timber for many years it's still relatively new in the U.S."

The new California building codes come as mass timber applications in buildings gain momentum across North America. Most notable is the recently-opened Ascent Tower by Korb + Associates Architects in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which was crowned the world’s tallest timber-concrete hybrid building.

Previously on Archinect: CTBUH certifies Ascent as the world's tallest mass timber hybrid building

CBS Sacramento also reported on a new local proposal called the Lot X development, which includes a five-story mass timber office building.

Digital manufacturing revolution still held back by outdated equipment

2016-01-28T17:25:00-05:00

Most small manufacturers — a big chunk of the nation’s supply chain — are running older, pre-Internet equipment. “One of the issues we have to address,” said Harris, “is this legacy equipment.” The digital thread can be hard to trace in an entrepreneur like Ellegiers’ plan to ship an app for making a desk, instead of a finished product. “Most shops are definitely not ready for this,” Ellegiers said.

While many American manufacturing workshops may still be stuck with legacy equipment, you can learn more about fabricators at the very forefront of the industry—employing cutting-edge technology in creative ways—in Archinect's new Matters of Scale feature series.

Winning projects of the 2014 U.S. Wood Design Awards

2014-03-28T18:35:00-04:00

The winners of the WoodWorks 2014 U.S. Wood Design Awards sure know how to prove wood as a versatile material in architecture. Out of 140 entries -- the most the competition has ever received -- the jury selected nine of the most outstanding projects in wood architecture. During the recent ceremony at the Southeast Wood Solutions Fair in Charlotte, NC, awards were given in nine categories. Four Regional Winners were also awarded.

Check out the winning projects below

(Above) Institutional Wood Design: James and Anne Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD. Architect – GWWO, Inc./Architects

Green Building with Wood: Biomass Heating Plant, Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT
Architect – Centerbook Architects and Planners

Wood School Design: Cascades Academy of Central Oregon in Tumalo, OR
Architect – Hennebery Eddy Architects, Inc.

Commercial Wood Design: Federal Center South – Building 1202 in Seattle, WA
Architect – ZGF Architects LLP

Innovative Wood Engineering: Promega Feynman Center, “The Crossroads” in Madison, WA.
Architect – Uihlein‐Wilson Architects, Inc.

Beauty of Wood: Reed College Performing Arts Building in Portland, OR
Architect – Opsis Architecture

Jury's Choice Award: Habiframe, Inc. Tornado Storm Shelter in Memphis, TN
Architect – Habiframe, Inc.

Multi-Story Wood Design: Bullitt Center in Seattle, WA
Architect – The Miller Hull Partnership

Traditional Use of Wood: Muckleshoot Smokehouse in Auburn, WA...