Early Mass Timber Design Decisions Seminar + Ascent Tour

Demonstrating how early design decisions influence the successful delivery of a large-scale mass timber project, this session combines a technical presentation with an exclusive tour of the Ascent mass timber tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The presentation explores critical decisions made during the earliest stages of design, including construction type, fire-resistance strategy, structural grids, beam and panel spans, acoustics, connection detailing, and MEP integration, and how these choices affect code compliance, constructability, and project outcomes. Participants will then tour the 25-story, 284-foot building with members of the development team, gaining firsthand insight into how these strategies were implemented during design and construction. By connecting fundamental design principles with real-world applications, attendees will gain practical lessons they can apply to future mass timber projects.

Agenda:

Seminar: 2:00 – 3:00pm

Tour: 3:00 – 4:00pm

Networking on site 4:00 – 5:30

Credits: Attendees can earn 2.0 AIA/CES HSW LU, 2.0 PDH credits or 0.20 ICC credits

Speaker:

Eduardo Morales PE, WoodWorks

Eduardo Morales is a structural engineer with nearly 10 years of experience across residential, commercial, and higher education sectors. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan and Indiana and is based in Chicago. Eduardo holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, both in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a focus on structures. During his time in Atlanta, Eduardo developed a passion for sustainable design and has since become a champion of the SE2050 commitment. Born in the mountains of Ecuador, he has always felt a strong connection to nature—something that continues to shape his approach to sustainable design and the work he does at WoodWorks.

Location:

Ascent MKE 

700 E Kilbourn Ave 

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Map & Directions

Parking:

Street parking and nearby parking garages;

Power Parking – 822 Van Buren – 3 min walk

Power Parking – Cathedral Square 530 E Mason St – 7 min walk

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the International Building Code construction types that permit mass timber and evaluate how early decisions regarding construction type, fire-resistance ratings, structural grids, and member spans influence code compliance, project cost, and constructability.
• Explain strategies for integrating structural systems, MEP services, acoustics, and connection detailing in mass timber buildings to satisfy performance, fire-resistance, and occupant comfort requirements while supporting future building flexibility.
• Describe construction sequencing, installation practices, and multidisciplinary coordination techniques that contribute to the safe, efficient, and successful execution of mass timber projects.
• Evaluate how the design and construction strategies implemented in Milwaukee’s 25-story mass timber tower addressed structural, fire, architectural, and constructability challenges.

For questions or additional information, please contact:

Mary Schramka | mary.schramka@woodworks.org | 708.204.9578

Ascent / New Land Enterprises / Korb + Associates Architects / Thornton Tomasetti / Photo VRX Media Group