WoodWorks

Like many universities, the Colorado School of Mines needed more beds. Our new case study on the Villages at Mines Park details how the school leveraged a prime location and the benefits of hybrid wood design to provide attractive, convenient, and affordable housing for more than 650 students. https://lnkd.in/e-V_hm7f “You can see the excitement when people experience these buildings for the first time. Most people don’t expect to see beautiful wood like this in student housing, and it’s a pleasant surprise for them. We also know how natural materials like wood promote better learning, so that was also a key driver in our design,” says Matthew Breen, Architect and Project Manager at SAR+ Architects. Get your copy of The Village at Mines Park case study for more insights from the team: https://lnkd.in/e-V_hm7f The Village at Mines Park Project Team: Owner: Colorado School of Mines Developer Owner: Capstone Development Partners, LLC Architect: SAR+ Architects Structural Engineer: Fortis Structural, LLC General Contractor/Mass Timber Installer: Milender White Mass Timber: Element5 & HASSLACHER NORICA TIMBER Acoustic Materials: Pliteq Mass Timber Finishes: Sansin Fasteners/Connectors: Rothoblaas Pictured: The Village at Mines Park, SAR+ Architects, Fortis Structural, Photo Kyla Chambers

Architects and Engineers—curious about wood construction but not sure where to begin? There are several key questions to consider: - What construction type is best for my project? - How does wood fit within my local building code? - How tall can I build with wood? WoodWorks' new solution paper—Designing with Wood Under the IBC: Construction Types, Building Size, and Fire Resistance—helps answer these questions. The paper explores the relationship between allowable building size, construction type, occupancy, Fire Resistance Ratings (FRRs), providing a great starting point for designing with wood under the IBC. Download the paper at woodworks.org: https://lnkd.in/ef8mGRH9 Pictured: 80 M Steet / Hickok Cole / Arup / Davis Construction / Photo: Ron Blunt

Mid-rise, mixed-use structures are quite common in our design landscape, but navigating the unique mix of code requirements for these structures can be daunting. Join me in-person on June 9th in Center City Philadelphia, PA for a deep-dive presentation that aims to simplify the code analysis for these types of structures. We will walk through determining allowable building size, separation needs, detailing requirements, and the application of special provisions while focusing on wood framing which can result in cost effective mixed-use buildings. Unable to make it on the 9th? Register for the online session on June 10th instead! In-person registration: https://lnkd.in/evDUyJjR Online registration: https://lnkd.in/eyrXuKnh

The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design is coming to San Diego next month, June 10-13. Find WoodWorks at our Learning Lounge, where we'll present eight Expo CEU courses on Thursday (6/11) and Friday (6/12) on topics including: - Delivering Mass Timber Projects Through Competitive Bidding - Off-Site Wood Solutions for Schools - General Contractor Insights for Mass Timber Projects - Type III Fire-Resistant Design and Detailing: Exterior Walls, Intersections, and Balconies See the full course schedule here: https://lnkd.in/gf6KpaTt AIA26 is a four-day conference that delivers what architects need now: fresh insights, powerful connections, and real solutions for a changing industry. It’s the definitive gathering for people who believe design can—and must—do more. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g4uYJsF

New Project Case Study: The Village at Mines Park When the Colorado School of Mines combined mass timber with light-frame wood to build affordable student housing, they overcame many of the challenges common to this type of project, including budget constraints, strict timelines, and high student expectations. And they did so while meeting their own goals for sustainable design. “It’s a material that’s both beautiful and sustainable,” says Matthew Breen of SAR+ Architects. “A nice way to give students what they want—quality buildings, quality spaces, and healthy materials.” Get the full case study at woodworks.org: https://lnkd.in/e-V_hm7f The Village at Mines Park Project Team: Owner: Colorado School of Mines Developer Owner: Capstone Development Partners, LLC Architect: SAR+ Architects Structural Engineer: Fortis Structural, LLC General Contractor/Mass Timber Installer: Milender White Mass Timber: Element5 & HASSLACHER NORICA TIMBER Acoustic Materials: Pliteq Mass Timber Finishes: Sansin Fasteners/Connectors: Rothoblaas Pictured: SAR+ Architects / Fortis Structural / Millender White Construction / Photo Kyla Chambers

Celebrate award-winning wood design with us in San Diego! WoodWorks will announce the 2026 Wood in Architecture Awards in San Diego, CA, alongside the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design. Join us on June 10 for a free reception to celebrate the winners. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/edG9WdmX ABOUT THE AWARDS: WoodWorks’ Wood in Architecture awards recognize excellence in mass timber, light-frame wood, and hybrid building design. Awarded annually, these awards celebrate design teams that use wood in innovative ways to positively impact the environment, occupants, and their communities. See previously awarded projects in the gallery: https://lnkd.in/gZ7RiHjM Photos from L to R: Kresge College Expansion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Jason O'Rear Photography; T3 RiNo, photo Eric Laignel; Trinity University Dicky Hall + Business and Humanities District, Robert Benson Photography

Now Available—Designing with Wood Under the IBC: Construction Types, Building Size, and Fire Resistance https://lnkd.in/eUdwYXzf Understanding the interdependence of construction types, allowable building sizes, and fire-resistance ratings (FRRs) is key to optimizing the design of a building. Our new paper—Designing with Wood Under the IBC: Construction Types, Building Size, and Fire Resistance—introduces these concepts, giving designers a foundation for making informed decisions about where wood can be used. Access the full paper for free: https://lnkd.in/eUdwYXzf Pictured: First Tech Federal Credit Union / Hacker / Kramer Gehlen & Associates / Swinerton / Photo: Jeremy Bittermann

Join WoodWorks TODAY at 1PM ET for our free webinar covering design considerations for off-site construction approaches and how they help to deliver long-lasting, healthy buildings. Presented by David Butler, PE (Lochsa Engineering) & Paige Smith, LEED BD+C (Lowney Architecture). Register here: https://lnkd.in/eiewD2ph Topic: Design Considerations for Modular Light-Frame Wood Projects When: May 13, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Earn: 1.0 AIA/CES HSW LU, 1.0 PDH credit or 0.10 ICC credit Cost: Free! Bonus content: Stay after the webinar for a manufacturer Q&A with WoodWorks Partner Kalesnikoff to learn about their products, services, and how they can be a resource on your next project.

TOMORROW—David Butler, PE, Structural Senior Project Manager at Lochsa Engineering and Paige Smith, LEED BD+C, Architect with Lowney Architecture will present on design considerations for off-site construction approaches—from prefabricated components to fully modular systems—and how these approaches deliver long-lasting, healthy buildings. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eiewD2ph Join to learn about the benefits of off-site construction, such as improved quality control, jobsite safety, material resource efficiency, and enhanced envelope performance. Key considerations for effectively implementing off-site construction will be addressed, including strategies to ensure effective collaboration, code-compliance, and occupant safety. Topic: Stacked for Success: Design Considerations for Modular Light-Frame Wood Projects When: May 13, 2026 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Earn: 1.0 AIA/CES HSW LU, 1.0 PDH credit or 0.10 ICC credit Cost: Free! Bonus content: Stay after the webinar for a manufacturer Q&A with WoodWorks Partner Kalesnikoff to learn about their products, services, and how they can be a resource on your next project. Pictured: Autovol

WoodWorks will be at AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026 in San Diego, CA, June 10-13! Join us for education and a celebration of excellence in wood design. EXPO CEUs: We'll host eight sessions in our Learning Lounge on Thursday (6/11) and Friday (6/12). See the full schedule here: https://lnkd.in/e6DN_VvM WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT: On Wednesday, June 10, we'll announce the 2026 Wood in Architecture awards live at 4:30 pm PDT. Celebrate the design teams with us at a free reception. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/edG9WdmX ABOUT AIA: AIA26 is a four-day conference that delivers what architects need now: fresh insights, powerful connections, and real solutions for a changing industry. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g4uYJsF