A 13-story mass timber tower under construction at The Ohio State University is demonstrating that tall wood student housing can not only pencil out—it can also be a cost-effective and ultimately repeatable kit-of-parts solution for market-rate student housing.

Think Wood’s profile of 9th and High features Mark Bell, CEO of Harbor Bay Ventures, which previously gained experience with INTRO, one of the largest completed mass timber projects in the United States. He describes mass timber’s architectural appeal and lower carbon footprint, as well as its offsite prefabrication advantages. “When done right, mass timber lets us build the same building with less labor and roughly 25–30% faster than a conventional post-tension concrete equivalent,” he says. “When affordability and housing are in crisis, that kind of speed isn’t just a nice-to-have—it can be part of the solution.”

Student housing was a strong performer for lumber-based construction in 2025, with WoodWorks supporting a steady stream of new student housing projects—many using light-frame wood systems or hybrid approaches that combine light-frame with mass timber. Low-rise and mid- to high-rise multifamily projects are key areas of focus in the SLB’s long-term strategy, with 5- to 8-story projects representing an annual incremental lumber demand opportunity of 307 MM BF. Think Wood’s case studies in this segment show that there is a significant opportunity for both light-frame and mass timber systems to gain ground.

MARKET IMPACT

• Increase specifier engagement—72% of highly engaged users say that they are more likely to specify wood after Think Wood engagement.