At the 2025 International Mass Timber Conference, SLB Education convened a pivotal wood education roundtable aimed at expanding the role of wood design in architectural education. Seventeen academic leaders—including deans and department chairs from architecture schools nationwide—gathered to share insights, identify barriers, and chart a course for integrating wood building systems into postsecondary curricula.

Facilitated by David Hinson and Tom Chung of Auburn University, the forum brought together a diverse group—from early adopters like Clemson University and the University of Oregon to large institutions such as Arizona State University and the University of Michigan that are just beginning to explore mass timber content. In a dynamic “lightning round,” participants outlined current efforts and key challenges, including accreditation limitations, lack of faculty expertise, and insufficient
teaching resources.

Breakout sessions focused on two priority areas: curriculum-level strategies to embed mass timber into core learning outcomes, and course-level tools to support instructors—such as adaptable lesson plans and model projects.

Auburn University will produce a report summarizing the roundtable’s findings and recommendations. The insights will inform future SLB investments, helping position wood alongside steel and concrete as a foundational material in architectural education—and preparing students to lead in innovative, low-carbon design.

EDUCATION FEATURE

SLB Roundtable Builds Academic
Pathways for Wood Design

STORY 3 of 3

SLB-funded research at Princeton University offers a glimpse into how robotics can help wood structural systems evolve.

A new SLB-funded research initiative at Princeton University is advancing the frontier of sustainable building through robotic wood construction. Led by Assistant Professor of Architecture Arash Adel and his laboratory, Adel Research Group (ARG), and supported by researchers and graduate students, the project features a two-story structure built with dimensional lumber using a semi-automated, low-waste fabrication process.

Dubbed the Robotically Fabricated Timber Cabin, the demonstration highlights a complete robotic workflow—from assembling 2x6 studs to applying sheathing and exterior cladding. The setup and tooling are now complete, and full-scale prototyping
is underway. The team is finalizing the structure’s design in tandem with its robotic fabrication, reflecting the project’s commitment to adaptability and real-time
problem-solving.

The goal is to demonstrate a scalable, modular approach to housing—combining computational design, sustainable materials, and robotic precision to deliver high-performance, cost-effective solutions. By reducing labor time and material waste,
the research points to a future where digital wood construction methods can supplement traditional framing techniques to meet rising demand for affordable,
low-carbon housing.

With growing interest in prefabrication and off-site construction, ARG’s work offers a glimpse into how robotics can help wood structural systems evolve—positioning wood
as a competitive material in the race toward sustainable and attainable housing.

EDUCATION FEATURE

SLB-Funded Princeton Project
Explores Robotic Wood Construction

STORY 2 of 3

An SLB-sponsored engineering faculty development workshop hosted by Cal Poly
Pomona brought together 20 faculty members from 18 universities across the country
for a comprehensive introduction to wood products, systems, and building types.

SLB Education’s faculty development initiative is proving to be a powerful driver of wood design education in architecture, engineering, and construction management programs. A recent follow-up survey of 173 educators who had significant interaction with the program, such as through a faculty workshop, revealed that 79% had already introduced or planned to introduce curriculum focused specifically on wood design and construction.

Compared with baseline adoption rates, institutions where faculty have engaged with the SLB program are between 17% and 46% more likely to incorporate wood topics within three years. The survey also found that each participating educator reaches an average of 29 students annually with new wood-focused content, resulting in an estimated 6,574 students per year receiving exposure to wood design principles—
2.5 times more than would be reached without intervention.

Faculty who hadn’t yet added wood-focused curricula cited common barriers:

• Institutional roadblocks, such as department approvals, limited elective space,
  and rigid teaching loads.

• Faculty bandwidth, as heavy teaching and research demands leave little time
  to develop and introduce new content.

• Funding gaps, which can sideline wood initiatives without seed grants or
  research support.

As SLB Education works to reduce those barriers, the program continues to track outcomes and refine the faculty development initiative, ensuring it remains a strategic tool for growing the next generation of wood-savvy professionals and expanding market share through education.

EDUCATION FEATURE

Focusing on Faculty Expands Wood
Education Across U.S. Campuses

STORY 1 of 3

Founder’s Hall has been influential in other departments at the University of Washington committing to mass timber for their own enterprise projects.

With the education construction market projected to grow by 4% in 2025—
double the pace of overall nonresidential building—the sector represents an important opportunity for the lumber industry. Schools and universities represent
an estimated 1.5 BBF of annual incremental lumber potential by 2035 if wood reaches 81% market share, according to FEA’s 2026 Construction Outlook.

To promote wood solutions for the education market, Think Wood recently released
a video case study of Founders Hall, an 85,000-square-foot mass timber building at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business. Designed by LMN Architects, the five-story structure uses cross-laminated timber (CLT) to deliver both decarbonization and biophilic benefits, aligning with the university’s sustainability goals.

The project is resonating with Think Wood's core audience of architects, engineers, developers, and general contractors—and inspiring real change. “Across the University of Washington campus, I often get the question, ‘How can we build with mass timber like you did?’” says Foster School Dean Frank Hodge. “Other units on campus are committing to it.”

Think Wood also profiled the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Architecture, which recently added a mass timber wing serving as a living laboratory for architecture students who will influence material decisions for their own projects in the future.
As backlogged projects resume, education buildings are poised for long-term growth with a mix of light-frame, mass timber, and steel-timber hybrid construction.

THINK WOOD FEATURE

University Projects Showcase Growing Potential of Education Sector

STORY 1 of 3

In Q1, Think Wood’s media partnerships remained a key driver of outreach, generating 1,857 new audience members—making it a significant source of new leads for the quarter. By aligning with trusted B2B media platforms, Think Wood strategically expanded its reach beyond architects to engage developers and general contractors in the commercial and multifamily sectors.

Education-driven events co-hosted with Commercial Observer and Bisnow offered targeted programming tailored to these audiences, including a construction forum and a multifamily development and investment conference. These events helped garner attention from other Think Wood primary audiences and advanced Think Wood’s mission to remove barriers and grow demand for wood construction.

Additionally, Think Wood launched its first building type-specific media partnership with Spaces4Learning, a publication focused on K-12 and higher education facility planning. This initiative aimed to influence the full education sector building chain—from architects to school board officials—highlighting the benefits of wood for
school design. With 203 MM BF in potential annual lumber demand tied to school construction if wood’s market share grows from 5% to 15%, this segment represents a high-value target for outreach.

Together, these media integrations support Think Wood’s long-term strategy to increase market share, deepen engagement, and position wood as a mainstream material across diverse building types.

THINK WOOD FEATURE

Think Wood Attracts Developers and General Contractors With Strategic Media Partnerships

STORY 2 of 3

House at 9,000 Feet | MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple
Architects | Photo Credit: Nic Lehoux

Think Wood stories about innovative residential projects have proved to be an effective driver of engagement across all audience segments—residential and commercial alike. Q1 stories featuring projects and firms provided examples of innovative systems and applications that professionals could imagine deploying in their own projects.

The eye-catching mountainside House at 9,000 Feet, designed by renowned Canadian architect Brian MacKay-Lyons and located in the U.S. Intermountain Region, features a unique elliptical form, cedar cladding and interior finishes, and nearly all-light-frame construction. Another respected residential design firm, Johnsen Schmaling, is featured in a profile of the CLT House. On a Wisconsin lake, it’s one of the first homes in the Midwest to use cross-laminated timber, leaving the beautiful pine exposed wherever possible. 

Think Wood’s coverage of these projects is distinct from other design publications because it gives deeper insight into the wood use and provides value for design, engineering, construction, and development audiences. Covering high-profile projects—whether commercial or residential—by leading firms that provide real-world examples of wood innovation is key to Think Wood’s strategy for capturing audience attention and moving professionals closer to specification. This improved engagement is critical because 65% of highly engaged users say they are more likely to use wood in their own upcoming commercial projects after interacting with Think Wood resources.

THINK WOOD FEATURE

Single-Family Stories Convert Prospects
to High Engagement

STORY 3 of 3

International Mass Timber Conference | Photo Credit: Marcus Kauffman Photography

As demand for wood structural systems grows, WoodWorks is expanding its training efforts to better equip general contractors and construction workers with the skills needed to build those structures. In Q1 2025, the program deepened its workforce development efforts by partnering with both union and non-union groups to broaden access to training.

A key example is WoodWorks’ new collaboration with the Oregon chapter of a national contractor networking group. The chapter is developing a workforce training center and plans to include mass timber installation in its curriculum. WoodWorks is providing technical guidance to ensure the program meets the evolving needs of the construction industry, including potential partnerships with regional institutions such as a technical community college and a skilled trades program.

To date, WoodWorks has supported 60 training programs—ranging from ironworkers and carpenters to universities and manufacturers—resulting in more than 36,000 hours of training for over 2,200 workers. At the 2025 Iron Workers/IMPACT Conference, WoodWorks led panel discussions and sessions focused on incorporating mass timber into GC scopes of work and promoting best practices for fabrication and installation.

By investing in hands-on education and outreach to help ensure building designs don’t default to concrete or steel because of contractors who haven’t worked with wood, WoodWorks is helping GCs stay competitive, adapt to new materials, and play
a central role in the shift toward sustainable, cost-efficient building solutions.

WOODWORKS FEATURE

Training Grows GCs and Workforce
Ready for Wood Construction

STORY 1 of 3

While economic uncertainty continues to have a drag on new construction starts, a recent survey by WoodWorks offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for wood building projects awaiting groundbreaking. The organization reviewed 125 projects in its “waiting for construction” (WFC) pipeline—projects where WoodWorks assistance is complete, but construction has yet to begin. Encouragingly, nearly 80% of projects are still active, either in construction, progressing, delayed, or temporarily on hold.  

For projects that have been delayed or are on hold, funding remains the most common obstacle, particularly for affordable housing and nonprofit-led developments. Even privately funded projects have struggled as rising construction costs and inflation outpaced original budgets. Other setbacks included high estimates of construction costs (including for mass timber), permitting delays, site complications, and zoning hurdles. While some of the cited reasons are wood related, many are simply problems with the market, meaning they are not likely to be permanent or unique issues for wood projects.

Despite delays, WoodWorks reported 91 influenced and converted projects that moved into construction in Q1. Through proactive outreach, the team continues to track WFC projects while supporting new opportunities, maintaining momentum
in a market that’s navigating shifting economic terrain.

WOODWORKS FEATURE

Market Conditions Stall Projects,
but Most Still Moving Forward

STORY 2 of 3

A WoodWorks Regional Director demonstrates the interactive project map on the WoodWorks Innovation Network.

Attracting more than 3,000 architects, developers, engineers, and builders—half of which are first-time attendees—the International Mass Timber Conference has become the go-to event for professionals exploring the future of wood construction. Shaped by WoodWorks’ leadership in programming, this year’s agenda spotlighted emerging project types and trends—including K-12 schools, data centers,
and innovations in insurance—highlighting the real-world opportunities for
mass timber.

Think Wood supported the event with a booth featuring continuing education tools and resources, giving attendees a way to deepen their knowledge beyond the conference. Together, WoodWorks and Think Wood continue to play a pivotal role in accelerating adoption of wood design.

In a move to inspire the next generation of builders and decision-makers, SLB Education provided 25 conference passes to Vancouver, Washington–area school administrators, principals, and high school seniors. Their visit was led by Esther Liu, CEO of LSW Architects—known for designing the landmark Carbon12 project—who is now championing the use of mass timber in school design. The field trip underscored the conference’s role not just as a professional hub, but also as a catalyst for broader community engagement and education in sustainable construction.

WOODWORKS FEATURE

SLB Programs Showcase Wood Innovation
at Mass Timber Conference

STORY 3 of 3

The AWC and the Construction Fire Safety Coalition have unveiled a newly redesigned CFSC website, signaling a refreshed commitment to fire safety on construction sites. Central to the rebrand is a new logo—a three-sided shield—symbolizing the coalition’s core partners: fire service professionals, construction crews, and building officials. Each plays a vital role in preventing construction site fires, and the rebrand underscores their coordinated efforts.

Built with user feedback in mind, the updated website streamlines access to fire safety information. A new searchable resource hub makes it easier for stakeholders to find and filter essential documents, while the site’s simplified navigation supports faster decision-making in the field.

The launch follows last summer’s release of the Construction Fire Safety Checklist app, which supports code compliance for fire safety officials and inspectors on active job sites. Together, the app and the revamped website serve as essential tools in promoting safety and awareness across industries.

By uniting builders, developers, fire officials, and regulators, the CFSC continues to protect lives, property, and communities. The new website and app make practical, code-aligned safety resources more accessible than ever.

AWC FEATURE

The AWC Unites Builders, Officials, and Fire Crews With New Fire Safety Coalition Website

STORY 3 of 3

A proposal to roll back 100% exposed mass timber
ceilings in IV-B buildings was disapproved in April.
Museum of Fine Arts | Photo Credit: Peter Molick

As the 2027 I-Code development process advances, the AWC is taking the lead in defending and expanding opportunities for wood construction. In 2025, the multiyear process used by the International Code Council (ICC) to update its model building codes moved to Group B, which includes critical revisions to the International Building Code (IBC), International Residential Code (IRC), and International Existing Building Code (IEBC).

In this Group B cycle, the concrete, masonry, and steel industries are aggressively working to roll back the allowance for 100% exposed mass timber ceilings in Type IV-B buildings introduced in the 2024 IBC. The AWC moved quickly to review the proposal and coordinate with key allies ahead of April hearings. The change proposal was disapproved. This favorable action also generated significant feedback concurring with AWC analysis that the attempted rollback of exposed ceilings was not supported by the referenced test reports.

AWC staff members are chairing two pivotal code committees, positioning the AWC at the heart of the deliberation process. The AWC is also participating in parallel Group A efforts, supporting favorable proposals in the development of the 2027 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code. With technical precision and strategic acumen, the AWC continues to secure wood’s place in the 2027 I-Codes—championing safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective building practices.

AWC FEATURE

The AWC Defends and Grows
Opportunities for Wood in 2027 Codes

STORY 2 of 3

After early January wildfires scorched 38,000 acres and caused an estimated $100 billion in damages, California’s wildland-urban interface (WUI) has become a national focus. The AWC, with years of experience in wildfire research and WUI code development, is stepping up to ensure that wood products are treated fairly in
the rebuilding process.

In response to recent efforts to limit the use of wood in WUI areas, the AWC is advocating for performance-based fire resistance standards rather than blanket material bans. Last year, the AWC conducted four fire tests at the Western Fire Center in Washington, generating critical data now being used to support wood’s inclusion in California’s evolving WUI regulations. These recent fire tests have helped demonstrate the effectiveness of fire-resistant wood construction, with an estimated 20 MM BF protected in California alone as a result of AWC’s work to prevent blanket material bans.

Notably, the AWC’s efforts helped preserve provisions in Chapter 7A of the 2022 California Building Code allowing wood siding and decking in WUI zones. These recommendations were approved by the California Building Standards Commission
and could play a key role in Los Angeles’ rebuild efforts.

As development pushes further into fire-prone areas, the AWC continues to shape conversations about future codes—including the 2027 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code—anchoring its work in science, safety, and fairness for wood products.

AWC FEATURE

The AWC Advances Science-Based Wildfire Standards in Wake of California Fires

STORY 1 of 3