Kyle Hanson is the Founder and CEO of Timber Age Systems – an incredible mass timber company focused on elevating communities through innovative materials and methods that transform the way we design and build. They’re based in Durango, Colorado and are manufacturing their own cross laminated timber (CLT) for high-performance sustainable panelized building systems. With a focus on residential use – they are truly one-of-a-kind in their approach and capabilities. Timber Age is changing high-performance building practices as we know them. 

Timber Age Systems has developed game-changing panelized and modular building envelopes capable of outcompeting traditional methods on cost, time and performance. On top of that, they harvest local Ponderosa pine, mill their own lumber, and create their own CLT in-house – something no-other company in the country is doing. 

Kyle tells us why we need to change the way we build and how his model will create attainable housing, contribute to community development and preserve our forest health. We walk through the Timber Age building systems, dive into several projects, and explore their plans to change the industry. 

Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylejhanson/
Follow Timber Age on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tas-inc/
Visit the Timber Age Website - https://www.timberage.com/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Mike M. Moore is the Principal and Founder of Tres Birds - a full-service planning, architecture and general contracting firm based in Denver, Colorado. Mike is known as visionary who seamlessly integrates architecture and art with environmentally-sound methods, and his transformative work exemplifies his belief that architecture can create a better world. Mike and his team won the 2022 Mass Timber Competition: Building to Net-Zero sponsored by the Softwood Lumbar Board and USDA Forest Service for their incredible work on the 12-Story, 84 Unit Mass Timber Tall Wood Building – Return to Form (with Katz Development). 

Tres Birds has over 130 projects in their portfolio. From mixed-use developments and corporate headquarters to net-zero energy homes, museums and city parks, each and every one is unique, awe-inspiring and designed to bring wellbeing to the people who spend time there and to the surrounding ecosystem. 

Mike tells us why we absolutely must be building with wood and focusing on sustainable and high-performance design. He walks us through his journey as an artist, builder and architect and how that journey shaped both himself and his firm, Tres Birds. We take a look at many of Mike’s projects and include photos of the incredible transformation he created in the spaces he’s worked with.   

Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-m-moore-b392a47/

View their inspiring projects on their website: https://tresbirds.com/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Pete Kobelt is the Director of Mass Timber Solutions for Structure Tone – a multi-billion-dollar international construction company making huge moves into the Mass Timber market. Pete has a storied background in North America’s Mass Timber history – being directly involved with the first CLT commercial office building in the United States, and then starting and working with several Mass Timber producers including SmartLam and Katerra.

STO Building Group (parent company of Structure Tone) is a global giant founded in 1971 that’s recognized as being on the leading edge of construction management and does over $10.4 Billion in annual construction volume. Leveraging new and innovative tools and strategies – they’ve propelled themselves to over 4,500 employee and 49 offices across the US, Canada, UK and Ireland. To top it off, they were named the #7 Green Building Contractor in 2022.

Mass Timber projects include the jaw dropping Southstone Yards in Frisco, TX – a 250,000 sq ft office project and the Clemson University Forestry & Environmental Conservation Building Renovation – a 82,436 sq ft 4-story building with ground level Type IA cast-in-place concrete and 3 stories of Type IIIB mass timber on top of that. 

Pete takes us through his professional journey and dives deep into mass timber market trends (its SHOCKING). He also explores how and why the North American domestic producers are set up the way they are and reveals what the European manufacturer’s do differently and have planned for this market. 

Connect with Pete on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-kobelt/
Email Pete at: [email protected]
Structure Tone Mass Timber Projects: https://stobuildinggroup.com/projects/services/mass-timber/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Thomas Robinson is the Founder and Principal of LEVER Architecture, named one of the world’s most innovative design companies by Fast Company. Thomas and his team pioneered domestic Mass Timber construction in the United States with the first domestically sourced Mass Timber Building – Albina Yard (their current Portland office headquarters).

LEVER is the winner of the international design competition for the brand-new Portland Museum of Art’s $100 Million dollar expansion, the firm behind the design of the industry changing NHERI Tall Wood 10-Story Mass Timber Shake Table Project, and many more impressive projects. 

Thomas takes us through his professional journey, founding LEVER, and his philosophy on how architects can shape the world we live in. Thomas answers questions from guests, and rounds out the talk by sharing about his mentors, inspirations and advice for future architects. 

Connect with Thomas and LEVER on their website: https://leverarchitecture.com/
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-robinson-8574674/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Tim Politis and Eric Durnbach from One Line Studio are passionate about weaving nature into the world of construction. Today's episode jumps into the world of Dowell Laminated Timber (DLT), a mass timber project unique and different from what we usually see. They give us an exclusive look into their firsthand experiences, the distinctive advantages of DLT, and even a sneak peek at their groundbreaking project - a mass timber gondola named "Stitch," with the potential to reshape the Denver cityscape.

But that's not all. We also explore construction challenges faced during their office project and DLT was their preferred choice over NLT, CLT, or GLU-LAM. Tim and Eric share the intricacies of blending different systems with timber and the meticulous planning required to maximize cost savings with DLT. 

Tim and Eric discuss the importance of hands-on experience and the need for architects to broaden their horizons concerning sustainability. This episode is essential listening for anyone intrigued by sustainable construction, architectural innovation, and the future of urban development. 

Contact One Line Studio on their website: https://www.onelinestudio.com/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Step into the innovative world of Residential Mass Timber Construction with our guest, Trent Debth, the CEO of Decatur Buildings Construction. Trent's journey transitions from the hairdressing salon to the construction site where he champions residential construction. In partnership with Freres Engineered wood – they’re preparing to roll out their groundbreaking Mass Ply Light Framing System. He sets the bar high, aiming for a cost competitive, schedule reducing, and waste reduction when compared traditional stick framing, all while delivering a superior, sustainable product.

His upcoming project, an 8,000 square foot mass timber residence (in partnership Freres Engineered Wood and Matt Riesinger of Reisinger Build - the general contractor - and host of the Build Show Network) proves his commitment to redefining the boundaries of home construction. 

But Trent's focus isn't limited to the present. Our conversation jumps into the future of residential mass timber construction, exploring the potential of the Mass Ply Light Framing System in upcoming residential projects. His unique construction methods, dedication to efficiency, and vision for widespread adoption of mass timber in the construction industry offers valuable insights for anyone interested in sustainable building practices.

Connect with Trent on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-debth-a2b2794/
Connect with Trent on his website: https://www.decaturbuildings.com/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Have you considered how a shift to mass timber construction could revolutionize the building industry and our environment? This episode explores that with Chris Evans, the President of Timberlab. Their mission? To accelerate the adoption of mass timber in mainstream construction.
 
 Chris leads us through the intricate world of mass timber pre-construction, fabrication and installation, smashing common misconceptions along the way. Prefabricated pieces, high tech machinery, and  specialists with a comprehensive understanding of timber hardware and connections - that's mass timber installation for you! From the Portland International Airport to Milwaukee's awe-inspiring Ascent project, Chris shares how Timberlab has been instrumental in shaping the landscape of mass timber construction over the past six years.
 
 We also get a glimpse into Chris's journey surrounding the start of Timberlab. Inspired by his time at Swinerton, and his vision for the future of mass timber construction, Chris helped start what is now an industry powerhouse pushing the entire industry forward. Join us to discover more about the evolving world of mass timber, the pioneers propelling its adoption, and what's on the horizon for this sustainable construction method.
 
 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn here > https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-evans-98356945/

Connect with the Timberlab Team here > https://www.linkedin.com/company/timberlabinc/ 

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Meet Ricky McLain - Senior Technical Director at WoodWorks, host of the renowned Mass Timber How-To’s YouTube show, and all around Mass Timber Champion.  He’s an educator, a mass timber expert and an advocate for the industry. He gives us a deep dive into the world of Mass Timber and showcases its wide applications and the considerable cost savings it can bring. Just listen to the savings on the 1510 Webster project in Oakland, California – over $30 Million!
 
 This episode is packed with knowledge. We explore the many applications of Mass Timber and the potential challenges and future growth prospects. We talk about what might be the next big thing for Mass Timber and how this material is revolutionizing the construction industry. Ricky gives us an insider's perspective on the financial benefits of Mass Timber projects, covering everything from cost competitiveness, market differentiation, to premium lease rates.
 
 We also dive into the educational aspect of Mass Timber. Ricky discusses the importance of understanding the many features, challenges, and benefits of Mass Timber, along with the concept of biophilia and its benefits for tenants and owner/developers alike. We wrap up with a unique look at WoodWorks, a free service for mass timber professionals that offers valuable resources and networking opportunities for the AEC and developer community.

Connect with Ricky on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-mclain-pe-se-26116759/

Connect with a WoodWorks Rep: https://www.woodworks.org/staff-directory/

Ricky's Mass Timber How To's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MassTimberHowTos

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

Hannes Blass, the CEO of Rotho Blass USA, discusses construction technology in the mass timber field. He takes us through his professional journey from a childhood underfoot in the family warehouse to leading the company’s US division. Hannes tells us how Rotho Blass advanced products are shaping the mass timber industry. We also explore how he is growing a nationwide sales team, even through the pandemic. 

We address the ever-evolving nature and innovation of mass timber construction, explore the process of building a post and plate point support system, and take a detailed tour of the 1510 Webster project in Oakland, California - showcasing the latest and greatest in tall mass timber construction and its remarkable project savings.

In the final segment, collaboration and networking's significance in the industry takes center stage. Hannes is taking his company’s extensive educational resources and mass timber knowledge on the road with seminars and events all across North America. Lessons from a recent timber event in Philadelphia are discussed, including his passion for building in-person industry relationships. Hannes offers career advice for construction professionals, emphasizing industry events, personal connections, and as he says, hitting the streets - to make the most of our time in life.

As we sign off Hannes agrees to take Nic and Brady out on his new sailboat next time they swing through Philly – and they’re taking him up on it!

Connect with Hannes on LinkedIn >>> https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaashannes/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!

How do towering structures of wood combat fire? David Barber, a seasoned fire protection engineer with Arup, tells us how. David has over two decades of experience in the industry and offers a unique perspective on the intersection of fire safety and mass timber construction. David guides us through the properties of mass timber and their fire resistance, and discusses how concrete, steel, and mass timber can synergistically form more robust structures.
 
We look at several innovative buildings in North America and talk about the impacts they have on advancing mass timber adoption, including: the Workstack building in Charlton, UK, a remarkable structure made of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) featuring an architectural theme of a stepped cantilever. We explore why some areas embrace tall mass timber buildings while others have remained rooted in concrete and steel - including the role of supply and contractors in shaping those developments.
 
David shares how AEC backgrounds in light timber frame construction set up success when working with mass timber.  We explore the efficiencies of connections, interfaces, and articulation of facades in mass timber buildings and the challenges remaining. You definitely don't want to miss this. Every minute is packed with exciting revelations about the future of the timber industry.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-barber-2699b520/

Looking to expand you mass timber network? Attend the Mass Timber Group Summit in Denver, CO!