Exploring Innovation in Construction: A Peek into IMTC and the World of Mass Timber

By Aaron Willette. Published Apr 17, 2024. Read time: 3 min.

International Mass Timber Conference 2024

• Held March 26-28 in Portland.
• Described as the yearly gathering of the global mass timber community.
• Focused on the latest advancements and trends in mass timber and related technologies.

What mass timber is

Mass timber is a class of engineered wood products. It combines wood’s natural strengths with modern engineering. Smaller, defect-free pieces of wood are glued together to create a material that can be stronger than a similarly sized solid wood product.

Common mass timber products

• Cross-laminated timber (CLT)
• Glulam
• Mass plywood panel (MPP)

Examples and uses

• The 284-foot-tall Ascent apartment building in Milwaukee is cited as a tall-timber project.
• Mass timber post, beam, and slab components can be manufactured offsite and assembled on-site.
• The article says mass timber is increasingly used in smaller mid-rise, industrial, and residential projects.
• These projects may use panelized or volumetric builds.

What IMTC offers

• Building tours that show mass timber structures.
• Tours of mass timber manufacturing facilities.
• An annual introductory workshop.
• Sessions on building codes, structural design requirements, and environmental benefits.
• Information sessions on new research and developments.
• An exhibit hall with machinery and prefab systems.
• Networking events for industry professionals.

Next event

• Next IMTC dates: March 25-27.
• Location: Portland, Oregon.

Resources mentioned

• WoodWorks.org
• The International Mass Timber Report
• Designing the Forest, and Other Mass Timber Futures by Lindsey Wikstrom

Links included in the post

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/awillette/
• https://masstimberconference.com/