Syracuse Sun

The use of mass timber in construction is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials like concrete and steel. This was the focus of a recent lecture titled "Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future," delivered by Anthony Mirando and Lameck Onsarigo from Kent State University. The event, held on September 30 at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, is part of a national tour aimed at promoting green building practices.

Mass timber refers to engineered wood products used in construction for walls, roofs, and floors. With commercial-scale projects increasing across the U.S., Professors Mirando and Onsarigo emphasized the need to educate future professionals about these materials.

The lecture included data from INTRO in Cleveland, Ohio, one of the tallest mass timber buildings in the country. This mixed-use structure features 300 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. The use of Glued-Laminated Timber (GLT) beams and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) slabs made construction about 25% faster compared to traditional methods.

In addition to the lecture, a weeklong exhibit was hosted in Link Hall where students could explore various mass timber building materials. This exhibition tour is funded by the Softwood Lumber Board (SLB). Andria Costello Staniec from civil and environmental engineering, along with Reed Kelterborn from SLB, provided opening remarks.

Yilei Shi and Cliff I. Davidson organized the visit from Kent State University faculty. Professor Shi noted the rising interest in mass timber buildings across the country and highlighted its benefits as a sustainable material. "We were thrilled to host Drs. Mirando and Onsarigo’s national touring exhibition," said Shi.

Professor Davidson added that training students to design resilient infrastructure is crucial given climate change challenges. "Mass timber can be one of the most effective construction materials," he stated.

Students interested in sustainable building materials may also consider attending the 2025 New York State Green Building Conference scheduled for March in Syracuse.