Course info

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the design and construction of all-wood buildings, with a focus on Waechter Architecture’s innovative Mississippi Building in Portland, Oregon. The course highlights the flexible “6-Rooms” approach, structural systems using mass timber products, and the integration of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Participants will also gain insights from post-occupancy evaluations of air quality, acoustics, and thermal performance. The course will also discuss a matrix of design options developed by Waechter Architecture, offering a range of scalable and adaptable strategies for future all-wood building projects. Supported by research and learnings from completed projects, this course equips architects and design professionals with practical tools and knowledge to design and implement mass timber solutions in future building projects.

By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:

• Examine the structural and design principles behind all-wood buildings that use mass timber products for the vertical and horizontal elements, including the courtyard design and flexible “6- Rooms” approach.
  
• Explore the findings of an independent evaluation on the performance of MEP systems in all- wood structures, including air quality, acoustics, and thermal efficiency based on post- occupancy evaluation data.
• Review the key design details and architectural illustrations that showcase the building’s all- wood structure.

• Analyze the matrix of design options developed by Waechter Architecture for all-wood structures to tailor design and construction approaches that meet specific project goals and environmental criteria.