Breaking Convention with Timber Offices Great solutions often lie beyond convention. Consider that most offices in the U.S. could be built with a wood structure yet this option goes largely unexplored. Many designers assume they’re limited to concrete and steel for workplace environments—because that’s the common default—but, in fact, wood construction can accommodate the space and performance needs of office occupancies, while providing advantages such as speed, cost savings, and reduced environmental impact. Focusing on common design considerations (e.g., layout flexibility, land-use constraints, and market classification) this presentation will examine the potential for light-frame and heavy timber structural solutions. Topics will include building code opportunities related to fire and life safety, structural design and layout, and cost. Exploring Tall Wood: New Code Provisions for Tall Timber Structures As interest in and use of mass timber in the U.S. has grown, so too has interest in pushing these timber structures to greater heights. Using international examples of successful tall wood buildings as precedent, some designers have proposed tall wood projects in the states using a project-specific performance-based design approach. In order to provide a uniform set of code provisions for these tall wood buildings, the International Code Council established an ad hoc committee on tall wood buildings that proposed a set of code changes allowing up to 18 stories of mass timber construction. Those code changes were announced as approved in January 2019 and will become part of the 2021 International Building Code. Following a brief discussion of history and motivators, this presentation will introduce the new tall wood code provisions and construction types, as well as the technical research and testing that supported their adoption. Attendees will qualify for 2 AIA/CES HSW LUs, 2 PDH credits or 0.2 ICC credits. Onsite Check-in: 9:00 am Seminar begins: 9:30 amSeminar concludes: 12:45 pm Parking: Canal street parking garage No need to print a ticket after you register - a name badge will be waiting for you at onsite check-in. Questions? Contact Courtney Rouse.