Mass timber construction continues to expand across the United States. While mass timber projects continue to see a heavier concentration in California, Washington, Oregon, Florida, and Texas, WoodWorks is now tracking 664 mass timber projects in design or construction across the United States, according to the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB). Source: Timberbiz, Lesprom
As of the end of Q3 2019, WoodWorks was aware of 427 projects in which the design team was considering the use of mass timber and 237 mass timber projects that were constructed.
These early adopters paved the way for future developers, designers, architects, and builders. With the completion of each mass timber project, the path for additional projects becomes easier to navigate.
WoodWorks has tracked mass timber projects over the past six quarters and has shown staggering growth. From Q3 2018 to Q3 2019, the number of projects included Construction Started/Built and In Design and has grown by 51%.
The types of buildings and heights that mass timber is being used in is also increasing in variety.
During Q3 2019, mass timber multi-family occupancies remain strong at 26%, compared with 11% looking at the same time period in 2018. While 54% of WoodWorks’ reported projects in the past quarter were three, four and five-storey multi-family projects, WoodWorks also saw increased project type diversification and conversions in one and two storey projects in the retail, business, education, and assembly categories.
The continued adoption of mass timber in three to five storey construction demonstrates that wood is being used in more places.
