Designing With Timber

It’s no secret that the use of mass timber has the ability to reduce greenhouse gas creation from construction. It’s also true the  biophilic properties of timber bring well-being benefits too.

It’s for those reasons, among others, that Research and Markets  predicts the global market for mass timber is going to grow to $1.3 billion by 2030.

The science and business cases are there, so as the market expands, we talked to two architects to get some insights on how to best build with interior timber.

While interior timber is often praised for its aesthetic benefits, both Allard and Hazelroth like to lean into its structural stability. Engineered timber products like glue laminated timber (glulam) and cross laminated timber (CLT), have a high strength-to-weight ratio and dimensional stability. This allows for long spans, high load capacities, and precise tolerances - ideal for modern structural applications. 

Advances in CNC technology offer fast, precise fabrication of complex geometries and seamless traditional wood-on-wood joinery, unlocking new possibilities in architectural design, structural performance, and aesthetic freedom.

“Part of the beauty of using timber is that our structural material is also our finished material. We don't put up our structure and then cover up with sheetrock,” says Allard.

Hazelroth remembers a visit to Neocon in 2017 where she saw a sculptural canopy structure tied in with a staircase.

Given the robust nature of timber, it’s a natural choice for creating a perimeter. But if sound transmission isn’t an issue, the aesthetics of timber offer an opportunity to define a space while allowing line of site.

On a recent project, Hazelroth was designing a series of break rooms that combined residential aesthetics with a timber bookcase. “A lot of living rooms have shelving units to separate the space without completely blocking off the natural light,” says Hazelroth.

Allard had a similar scenario in a building that was organized around a long main hallway. How could he define space without closing it off? His solution was a timber slat wall that mirrored other key design elements.

“We used wood slats throughout or ceilings so, we basically took the ceiling and turned it vertical,” says Allard. “It provides separation but keeps the visual continuity.

When you’re building with modular, prefabricated timber elements, connections are carved to the most precise dimensions by CNC machines to ensure joints and fasteners fit together perfectly on-site. To make the process even smoother, follow Hazelroth’s advice

“It's important to have the walls built before you order the timber and not have hold-to dimensions,” she says. “That's something that I couldn't stress enough to the contractor.” The last thing you want is for massive timber elements to show up on site only to have a half inch disparity bum up the works. “It's important to get the building built, then order the beams and make sure you have time in the schedule for that.”

Despite the warnings, Hazelroth also says you shouldn’t worry. “Don’t be afraid of it,” she says. Other team members without timber experience might wonder what they are getting into, but combining old-world craftsmanship with high-tech construction yields impressive results. She describes the reaction a facilities manager had the first time he worked with timber. “He said, ‘I can't believe how fast they went up. I was thinking this was going to slow my schedule down,’” says Hazelroth. “I know it's amazing. The way that these things go together is brilliant.”