Mass Timber in Tall Building Design

The goal of this project was to investigate the viability of a tall mass timber frame in the US through direct comparison to a steel counterpart. The designs for both structures were modeled after FRAMEWORK, an 11 story mixed-use mass timber building approved for construction in Portland, Oregon. While the mass timber structure had many advantages, such as a lightweight frame, general ease of construction, and a negative carbon footprint, it was more expensive than the steel design. However, as mass timber grows in popularity, it is likely to grow in economic viability as well