Hawai‘i Wood Utilization Team Holds Mass Timber Workshop
HFIA, as a member of the Hawai‘i Wood Utilization Team (HWUT), helped plan and coordinate the “Forest to Frame: Mass Timber from a Hawaii Perspective” workshop, which was held on March 13, 2019 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The workshop was attended by 35 people. Workshop topics included:
- Homegrown: Responsibly Sourced Wood from State Forests by Philipp LaHaela Walter, DLNR DOFAW State Resource and Survey Forester
- Mass Timber and Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) by Ethan Martin, PE WoodWorks
- Local Products for Mass Timber Construction by Hawaii Lumber Products Association
- Carbon 12 – Tallest Mass Timber Building in the U.S. by Kaiser Group + Path Architecture’s Architect Kristin Slavin and Senior Project Manager Scott Noble
Course Description
Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably-minded designers. This presentation provided a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue-laminated timber (glulam), cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes were discussed, and examples of their use in US projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish was also highlighted, as will its performance as part of an assembly, considering design objectives related to structural performance, fire resistance, acoustics, and energy efficiency. Other topics included detailing and construction best practices, lessons learned from completed projects and trends for the increased use of mass timber products in the future.
WoodWorks provides free resources related to the design, engineering and construction of commercial and multi-family wood buildings. Their objective is to make it easier to build code-compliant wood buildings more efficiently and at less cost. Learn more at WoodWorks mass timber resources webpage: http://www.woodworks.org/design-and-tools/building-systems/light-frame-publications/
The HWUT is a group of experts initiating innovative, cross-sector ideas and projects to expand wood product markets in Hawai‘i. The Team includes members from Forestry, Architecture, Design, Engineering, Wood Products, Construction, Finance, Marketing, Research and Cultural Practice. The goals of the effort are to facilitate and coordinate new and innovative approaches for the use of locally‐grown wood; reduce the risks of wildfires; analyze resource and market conditions for local woods; and increase the visibility and demand for Hawaiian‐grown wood products. HFIA Director Michael Tam is representing HFIA and HFI Director William Yuen is representing HFI on the HWUT.
HFIA’s role in the project is to lead the effort to create a HWUT website with an online Hawai‘i Forest Products Directory. HFIA contracted with Gum Design to develop the site. Other project components include the construction of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) prototype under the leadership of Joseph Valenti; and the design of an education center on Kaua‘i under the leadership of Sheri S. Mann, DOFAW Kaua‘i District Manager.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) was awarded the state’s first federal Wood Innovation Grant. Out of 119 proposals, Hawaii’s was one of 34 projects chosen to receive the U.S. Forest Service grant, which funds sustainable wood utilization. Project Leader Philipp LaHaelaWalter, DLNR DOFAW formed the HWUT and Joseph Valenti, D. Arch, Assoc. AIA is coordinating the project.