March for the woodworking industry: from the International MassTimber Conference to the Russian Post
There is no doubt that the last week of March was a very busy one for the entire timber construction and timber construction industry. During this period there were several large and important events that brought together specialists, innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world. One of the most important events was the International Mass Timber Conference, in Portland, USA and Forum Wood Building Baltic. Both events brought together some of the industry's most experienced and influential experts, who shared their knowledge, experiences and perspectives on the future. All this shows that the construction season is in full swing and all industry players are ready to introduce new technologies and innovations into construction that will create greener and more efficient homes and buildings. In this process, woodworking companies have a special place, which are fundamental in the development of wooden housing construction. Timber Expert is the producer of planed products made of Siberian larch, not only for the Russian market, and our products are recognized thanks to their high quality and excellent operating characteristics. Our company also actively promotes the development of woodworking and wooden house-building industry. We participate in various events and forums where we share our experience and knowledge in the use of wood in construction. We believe that our work is an important component in the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable construction, and we are ready to continue to improve and enhance our products.
INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE:
At the intersection of forestry and the construction of the future
With each passing year, the construction industry is becoming more aware of its impact on the environment and ultimately on the viability of the planet as a whole. The proliferation of new technologies and materials is becoming a key factor in the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly construction industry. That is why the INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE, an annual forum bringing together professionals from the forestry and building sectors, has become such an important event in this field. The conference, now in its fifth year, attracts more and more participants from around the world to share their experiences and knowledge in the field of mass timber construction. One of the key themes of the conference is the use of new technologies and innovative materials that allow for more environmentally friendly and sustainable buildings. Wood, namely CLT panels, as opposed to more traditional materials such as concrete and steel, is such a more environmentally friendly material. Every year at the INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE new and innovative projects are presented which use CLT to construct various types of buildings, from high-rise residential buildings to office buildings and shopping malls. CLT stands for Cross-Laminated Timber, literally 'cross-laminated timber'. CLT is a laminated self-supporting panel of pressed softwood lamellas for both exterior and interior use. CLT is called a timber monolith and is equal in strength to reinforced concrete.
But this is more than just a conference where professionals from the construction and timber industries come together. It is an event where innovative technologies and ideas that are changing our lives are discussed.
The INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE has been held since 2016 and has become one of the most important events in the world of mass timber construction. It brings together leading experts and industry representatives who share their knowledge and experience in the field.
Over the past few years, wood construction has become very popular worldwide as it is an environmentally friendly and sustainable construction method, and in order to implement it at scale to solve current global problems, new technologies and innovations are needed. At the INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE the industry can discuss these issues, find new ideas and solutions for the implementation of construction with wood in various fields, including residential, commercial and office buildings, bridges and even skyscrapers. The conference showcased examples of successful mass timber construction in various countries, as well as current topics such as new production and processing technologies, architectural and construction features, certification and standardisation issues, and economic and environmental benefits.
CLT is a technology that enables buildings and constructions made of wood on an industrial scale. The technology is under active development, and the INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE is one event that fully demonstrates this development. Building with wood is becoming more and more popular all over the world. It is environmentally friendly, cost-effective and has many advantages over traditional construction methods. Innovations in the design and production of timber structures make it possible to build buildings of any shape and size.
The INTERNATIONAL MassTimber CONFERENCE is an event which attracts major specialists in the use of wood in construction from all over the world. This event provides a platform to exchange experiences, ideas and innovations in the field of wooden construction. One of the most interesting events at the conference is a demonstration of technology in the production of CLT panels and includes the processes of logging, woodworking, design and manufacture of wooden panels, as well as their installation and operation. The conference deals with issues relating to the design, production, installation and operation of mass timber structures. This includes various aspects such as technical aspects, environmental issues, industrial design, architecture, marketing, etc. It is important to note that mass timber construction is important for the whole world. It can be one of the key tools in the fight against climate change, as trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and building with wood reduces the carbon dioxide emissions produced by conventional construction methods.
Building with wood is a more environmentally friendly approach than traditional construction methods. During the production of the building material, such as concrete and steel, a significant amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. This process is called carbonisation and is considered one of the main sources of gas emissions in the construction industry. Conversely, the construction of timber buildings not only does not produce carbon dioxide, it also reduces the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. Research shows that building with wood can lead to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
One example is the construction of the Carbon12 wooden building in Portland, Oregon, which was the first multi-storey building in the US to be built entirely from wood.
This timber building has gained recognition not only in the USA, but also worldwide, and has become a model for multi-storey timber construction in the future. The Carbon12 timber building, located in Portland, Oregon, was the first multi-storey building in the US based on innovative mass timber construction technology. The 8-storey complex, created with the help of Lever Architecture, was built using 1,742 cubic metres of timber. Carbon12 is an 85ft (26m) tall mixed-use building on the corner of North Williams Avenue and 12th Northeast Fremont Street. It was designed, developed and constructed by Ben Kaiser of PATH Architecture and Kaiser Group Inc. using CLT panels manufactured by Structurlam. With a roof deck, the height is 95ft (29m). Work on Carbon12 began in July 2016 and was completed in 2018. It is named after the atomic weight of carbon (12 atoms), as the carbon footprint was one of the main incentives for choosing wood. Carbon12 was an example of how wood can be used in construction, not only as a finishing material, but also as a basic building material. The building has also demonstrated the possibilities of mass timber construction, including excellent sound and heat insulation as well as quick and easy installation. Carbon12 is also a leader in sustainability and environmental protection.
Wood has been used in building construction for thousands of years. Today, in the age of modern technology, the construction of wooden buildings has become popular because of its environmental friendliness and attractive appearance. Below you can see the world's tallest and most famous wooden buildings.
At the moment, the tallest wooden building in the world is the Ascent in Milwaukee, USA. The building is 90 metres tall and consists of 25 storeys and contains 283 apartments. Ascent was built in 2019 and includes not only wooden elements, but also glass, metal and concrete.
Ascent is the tallest wooden building in North America, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is a 25-storey building 84 metres (276 ft) high with 17 storeys of timber and 8 storeys of reinforced concrete.
Completed in 2019, the Ascent building is a high-tech example of innovative timber construction. The main material used in the building is pine treated using CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) technology.
One of the main advantages of timber construction is its resistance to carbon dioxide. The Ascent building has been designed so that it produces less carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, making it an environmentally friendly building.
In addition, the Ascent building is also equipped with advanced energy efficiency systems, such as smart windows that regulate the amount of light and heat entering the building, and a rainwater harvesting system that is used to irrigate the roof gardens.
The Ascent building has become a landmark of timber construction in North America, demonstrating the possibilities of using wood in high-rise construction. It houses residential apartments, commercial spaces and public spaces.
The Ascent building in Milwaukee, USA, was thus an example of high-tech and environmentally friendly timber construction which demonstrated the possibilities of using wood materials in the construction of high-rise buildings.
HoHo Wien (Austria)
HoHo Wien is the tallest wooden building in Austria. It is located in the city of Vienna and is 84 metres high. The building was built in 2018 and consists of 24 floors. Wood from maple and larch was used for its construction.
SporX. Timber skyscraper in 15 weeks.
In the centre of Drammen in Norway, a 10-storey office building with a height of 40 metres and a total floor area of 6,800 m2 was built. The building's load-bearing frame (columns, beams, stiffening elements) as well as all the building envelope and floor slabs were made of laminated timber.
It is notable that even the lift shafts are made of wood. A total of 2500m3 of glued timber produced in the local Splitkon factory was used in the project. The designers of the project were Dark Arkitekter (architecture) and Vestaksen Eiendom AS (structural part). The project was designed using BIM technology, and the construction process was modelled and fine-tuned in advance. The total construction period was therefore only 15 weeks. Video overview of SporX
25 King (Australia).
25 King is a monumental achievement in engineered timber: Australia's tallest engineered timber office building at 14,965 sq m. 10 storeys, 45 metres high. The main timber structure consists of walls, roof and ceilings of CLT European spruce, supported by columns and beams of laminated European spruce timber, with the addition of additional laminated beams reinforced with LVL of European hardwood. Built in Brisbane, Australia in 2018.
These buildings prove that wood can be used not only for small structures, but also for tall buildings, which can lead to a reduction in carbon emissions and improve the ecological situation in cities.
Forum Wood Building is a global conference which takes place annually in different countries around the world. It is a key event for anyone interested in wood building and design.
The Wood Building Forum gathers specialists from various fields such as architecture, engineering, science and technology to discuss the latest trends and innovations in timber construction. The event has become a platform for presenting new ideas, concepts and technologies related to timber construction.
Each year, Forum Wood Building focuses on a particular topic that is important for the development of timber construction. Issues relating to the construction, production, use and sustainability of timber buildings are discussed at the conference.
At the event, participants can visit an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in timber construction, as well as attend workshops and seminars to learn about new methods of designing and constructing timber buildings.
Forum Wood Building is not only an important event for professionals, but also an opportunity for the public to learn about the benefits of wood construction and its impact on the environment. Every year the event grows in popularity and attracts participants from all over the world.
All in all, the Wood Building Forum is an important event for the development of timber construction and helps to create new contacts, share experiences and develop innovations in the field.
In light of the growing interest in timber construction and its environmental performance, events such as the Forum Wood Building and the International Mass Timber Conference are becoming ever more important. They bring together industry representatives, engineers, architects, scientists and other interested parties to discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from the use of wood in construction.It is also important to note the role of timber companies, which play an important role in creating innovative solutions for the use of wood in construction. Companies such as Timber Expert contribute to the development of timber housing by providing high-quality products and services related to the design and construction of timber houses.
All these efforts contribute to the transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly form of construction, which can reduce carbon emissions and lead to healthier and more comfortable living and public spaces. We hope that future events such as Forum Wood Building and International Mass Timber Conference will continue to promote timber housing and stimulate the growth of the industry.
The government has seriously engaged in the development of timber housing, which could be the real saviour of the domestic timber industry. The potential for multi-storey timber housing construction has been proclaimed at major industry meetings. After the February meeting on the development of the timber industry, which was chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a whole range of measures have been planned. The main goal is to develop the production of prefabricated wooden house-building kits. In particular, the government is planning to focus on the development of individual housing construction and introduce certificates for prefabricated wooden house sets. In addition, the government is considering building infrastructure facilities out of wood, including buildings for the Russian Post.
Another idea is to use standard designs for wooden prefabricated houses to create multifunctional facilities that would combine social, commercial, law enforcement and other functions. In addition, the president has instructed that 10 billion roubles each be allocated from the federal budget in 2023 and 2024 for the construction of factory-made wooden low-rise residential buildings to resettle residents of emergency buildings.
On 7 December 2022, Segezha Group completed the construction of Russia's first multi-storey timber-framed residential buildings - CLT. The company's pioneering approach has aroused interest among experts, including commentators on Kommersant FM radio, who questioned the safety of living in wooden multi-storey buildings and the possibility of attracting buyers to such real estate. However, a poll by Russian Public Television confirmed that 69% of respondents expressed an interest in using wood technology in construction.
If you too are interested in this topic, we invite you to take a tour of the new Segezha residential complex so you can appreciate for yourself how unique this construction is and how it looks in reality. Segezha residential complex room tour
Keeping up with the times and adopting the experience of colleagues from all over the world, we understand that in the near future CLT will conquer the Russian construction market and construction will become as popular in our country as it is in Europe and America.
Wood manufacturer and exporter of Siberian larch lumber & planed productio,
Timber Expert
