The Importance of Early Planning in Mass Timber Construction
Mass timber is revolutionizing the construction industry with its sustainable and aesthetic appeal, and structural advantages. However, to leverage these benefits fully, early and meticulous planning is crucial. Early planning ensures mass timber projects are executed efficiently, meet regulatory requirements, and align with design and performance goals.
Read on to learn more about the importance of early planning in mass timber construction and how McCownGordon’s preconstruction and building performance solutions help owners navigate the unique nuances of mass timber projects.
The Need for Early Planning
Mass timber refers to engineered wood products that are used as structural elements in construction. Mass timber includes products like cross-laminated timber (CLT), glue-laminated timber (glulam), and nail-laminated timber (NLT), which are designed to provide significant load-bearing capacity. These materials are becoming increasingly popular due to their sustainability, aesthetic qualities, and performance characteristics. However, these benefits come with specific challenges that must be addressed through comprehensive early planning.
McCownGordon delivers more than 95 percent of our work through collaborative delivery methods which allow us to engage early in the preconstruction process. Our proven project approach was built to handle the unique challenges associated with constructing using mass timber.
Design Integration and Optimization
Early planning is essential for integrating mass timber effectively into a project. Unlike traditional building materials, mass timber requires precise engineering to ensure structural integrity and performance. By engaging preconstruction early, we can collaborate with architects and structural engineers to optimize the design, integrate mass timber elements seamlessly, and ensure performance criteria can be met – including sustainability, energy efficiency, and structural reliability.
“More than any other type of construction, early planning is key on mass timber projects,” says Juan Rodriguez, Senior Vice President at McCownGordon.
“These unique projects require a tremendous amount of engineering and design and can take months to preplan. Where concrete and steel can be delivered to a jobsite quickly, mass timber requires more time to engineer, manufacture, and assemble.”
Material Sourcing, Availability, and Procurement
Mass timber components often have longer lead times and require specialized sourcing. Early planning helps in identifying and securing reliable suppliers for mass timber materials, avoiding potential delays and ensuring timely delivery.
McCownGordon’s procurement team helps identify high-quality vendors of mass timber and lock-in prices, all while allowing for adjustments in the budget based on material availability and cost.
“It’s important to approach construction projects with an openness for hybrid options,” says Juan.
“Integrating mass timber with more traditional materials like concrete and steel can help balance the need for sustainable features with cost-effective materials, and better support the business case for some owners.”
Construction Logistics and Scheduling
The construction methods for mass timber differ from those used for traditional materials. For example, mass timber components are prefabricated off-site. Early planning ensures these components are designed and manufactured according to specifications, facilitating smooth on-site assembly. Our team works to begin prefabrication while grading and foundations are occurring onsite; allowing for quicker erection in the field than some traditional delivery methods.
McCownGordon’s preconstruction team develops detailed construction schedules that coordinate the delivery and assembly of mass timber elements, ensuring smooth workflows and minimizing disruptions.
Cost and Budget Management
Accurate cost estimation for mass timber components and construction processes is essential. Early planning allows for detailed cost analysis and budgeting, including considerations for material costs, labor, and potential contingencies.
The depth of McCownGordon’s preconstruction services, including real-time estimating, allows us to become the Owner’s champion throughout the construction process. Real-time estimating provides the most current data on material costs and labor rates, ultimately reducing and often eliminating changes that lead to unexpected costs and delays during construction.
Learn more about our approach to helping you understand benefits and costs early in a build.
Lifecycle Considerations
Planning for the entire building lifecycle is important for maximizing the benefits of mass timber. Early planning includes considerations for the long-term maintenance and adaptability of the structure, helping to ensure that the building remains functional and sustainable throughout its lifecycle. For mass timber projects, it can also include a slow start-up of mechanical systems to bring the building to the ideal conditions without rapid or over-drying of the mass timber systems.
McCownGordon’s Building Performance Solutions can assist in aligning the project with sustainability goals, including energy efficiency and environmental impact, to ensure the building meets long-term performance criteria.
Conclusion
Early planning is crucial for the successful construction of mass timber projects. By addressing design integration, material sourcing, construction methods, cost management, and lifecycle considerations, Owners can fully leverage the benefits of mass timber while mitigating potential challenges.
McCownGordon’s comprehensive preconstruction and Building Performance Solutions services play a pivotal role in facilitating effective early planning. Our expertise in cost estimation, scheduling, value engineering, and performance optimization ensures that mass timber projects are executed efficiently, sustainably, and to the highest standards of quality. By partnering with McCownGordon, we can help you navigate the complexities of mass timber construction with confidence and achieve successful project outcomes.
