Selecting a Mass Timber Construction Type: Balancing Design Vision and Structural Reality
Sub Title Goes Here
Selecting a construction type is one of the most critical early decisions in any mass timber project. This course will explore approaching construction type selection as an iterative process to arrive at the most appropriate choice. Looking at realized project examples, the session will examine the collaborative process between the architect and structural engineer—highlighting the familiar “push-pull” dynamic between disciplines—and how they can successfully balance design vision, code constraints, and structural efficiency to achieve the owner’s end goal for the occupants. Attendees will also receive practical guidance on how early coordination, iterative modeling, and code interpretation influence material efficiency, occupant comfort and safety, and long-term building performance.
Register- Location:
- Online
- Date/Time:
- April 15, 2026 | 1:00pm-2:00pm ET
- Credits:
- Attendees can earn 1.0 AIA/CES HSW LU, 1.0 PDH credit or 0.10 ICC credit
Bonus content – Attendees are invited to stay after the webinar for a non-accredited bonus session featuring WoodWorks Partner Smartlam North America for a manufacturer Q&A. Learn more about their products and services and how they can be a resource on your next project.
Speakers
Michael Scancarello | WSP USA Building Structures
An avid cyclist and Assistant Vice President at WSP, Michael acknowledges his year of primarily commuting by bike offsets less carbon than two cubic yards of concrete, highlighting the importance of building material choices. He has contributed to several projects using exposed mass timber as a low-carbon primary structural system and serves as the embodied carbon champion for WSP’s SE2050 commitment, leading efforts to lower embodied carbon across projects and promote knowledge sharing within the firm.
Christopher Angelakis | Associate Principal, Architectural Resources Cambridge (ARC)
Christopher approaches design with an emphasis on balance. With more than thirty years of experience, he has worked on a range of projects that explore new possibilities within the field. As an Associate Principal focused on design processes at Architectural Resources Cambridge (ARC), Christopher explores opportunities for integrating sustainable strategies with measurable impact. His work includes developing daylighting methods, creating solutions for high-energy-use building types that look to surpass performance goals, and investigating approaches to carbon reduction.
Recently, incorporating mass and heavy timber has become a key method for advancing carbon reduction and carbon neutrality objectives in several projects. Including structural approaches as part of sustainability efforts has expanded the design tools for achieving sustainable outcomes.
