As an architect, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of design, sustainability, and innovation. And in recent years, one material has been capturing my attention more and more: timber. From the warm, natural aesthetic to the impressive structural capabilities, timber is emerging as a viable – and often superior – alternative to traditional building materials like concrete and steel.

The Allure of Timber

I’ll admit, when I first started considering timber as a primary building material, I was a bit skeptical. Concrete and steel have long been the industry standards, and the thought of relying on what many still view as a “primitive” material seemed risky. But the more I learned, the more I became convinced that timber is poised to revolutionize the construction landscape.

One of the biggest draws of timber is its innate biophilic properties. As biologist Edward O. Wilson described, we humans have an “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes.” And numerous studies have shown that the presence of natural materials like wood can have significant psychological and physiological benefits for building occupants, from reduced stress levels to improved productivity and concentration.

When you step into a timber-framed building, you can’t help but feel a sense of warmth and connection to the natural world. It’s a far cry from the cold, sterile environments often associated with concrete and steel structures. And as someone who believes deeply in the power of design to shape human experience, this biophilic aspect of timber is a major selling point.

The Sustainable Advantage

But timber’s appeal goes beyond just aesthetics – it’s also an incredibly sustainable building material. According to Architecture 2030, the embodied carbon (the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a material’s production and transportation) of building structures is responsible for a staggering 11% of global emissions and 28% of emissions from the building sector. And concrete and steel are major contributors to these troubling statistics.

In contrast, timber is a renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested and processed with far less environmental impact. In fact, our initial study on the San Jacinto College classroom building showed that a reinforced concrete design would generate six times more greenhouse gas emissions than a mass timber approach. That’s a stunning difference, and one that aligns perfectly with the growing global emphasis on reducing our carbon footprint.

But the sustainability benefits of timber don’t stop there. The material also has the ability to sequester carbon, locking it away for the lifetime of the building. And with advancements in engineered wood products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), timber structures can now rival the strength and durability of their concrete and steel counterparts.

Overcoming the Learning Curve

Of course, as with any new building technology, there’s a learning curve involved in working with timber. At my firm, Kirksey Architecture, we’ve had the opportunity to design two full mass timber projects for college campuses in the Houston area, and we’ve definitely had to do our fair share of due diligence.

One of the key challenges has been figuring out how to elegantly integrate the building systems – electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and so on – without compromising the exposed timber aesthetic that’s so integral to the experience. As the article notes, “What would be the least visually disruptive pathway for utilities?” is a constant question we grapple with.

And then there are the practical considerations of construction, like ensuring proper tolerances between the timber components and the concrete foundation, and coordinating with the various trades to maintain the project timeline. It’s definitely a more complex dance than your typical steel or concrete build.

But with each project, we’re getting better at navigating these hurdles. We’re developing stronger partnerships with the engineering teams and construction professionals, and we’re learning to be more proactive in our planning and problem-solving. And the results speak for themselves – buildings that not only showcase the natural beauty of timber, but also deliver impressive performance and cost benefits.

The Financial Upsides

Speaking of cost benefits, that’s another major advantage of timber construction that’s often overlooked. As the article notes, timber can significantly reduce project costs in a number of ways:

And with the recent surge of new CLT manufacturing facilities opening up across the Southeast, including in states like Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas, the material is becoming even more cost-competitive, especially when using local species like southern yellow pine.

Of course, there are still some areas where timber may be more expensive upfront, like the prefabricated connections and lateral systems. But when you factor in the overall time and cost savings, as well as the long-term sustainability benefits, the financial case for timber becomes increasingly compelling.

A Future Built on Timber

As I look ahead to the future of the construction industry, I can’t help but feel excited about the role that timber will play. Projects like the OSU-Cascades expansion are proving that timber can be a viable and even superior alternative to traditional building materials, delivering on both performance and sustainability.

And with more architects, engineers, and construction professionals embracing the material, I believe we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. Imagine a world where our cities and towns are filled with warm, inviting timber buildings that not only look beautiful, but also help to mitigate the climate crisis. It’s a future that’s well within our reach, and one that I’m eager to be a part of.

So if you’re a developer, builder, or simply someone who cares about the built environment, I encourage you to take a closer look at timber. Visit timber-building.com to learn more about the latest innovations and projects, and consider how this remarkable material could transform your next building venture. The future of construction is in our hands, and timber is poised to play a leading role.