This fall, the TallWood Design Institute hosted its eighth annual Mass Timber Research & Design Innovation Symposium at Oregon State University’s LaSells Stewart Center. This day brought energy and inspiration while highlighting the region’s leadership in advancing timber innovation.

More than twenty active research projects from the University of Oregon’s College of Design and OSU’s Colleges of Forestry and Engineering took center stage. Faculty shared new insights across a wide range of critical topics, including fire and moisture performance, seismic and structural innovation, manufacturing advancements, sustainable design, and the role of timber in supporting human health and building performance. Attendees engaged directly with researchers through dynamic presentations and interactive discussions that brought complex work to life.

One of the most dynamic activities of the day was the live Research Showcase at the Emmerson Lab. Participants had the rare opportunity to see emerging technologies and experiments up close, including demonstrations exploring how robotics can enhance mass timber fabrication and construction workflows.

Throughout the event, attendees enjoyed dedicated networking breaks, a hosted lunch, and a concluding happy hour reception that sparked new collaborations across academia, industry, and the broader mass timber community.

A heartfelt thank-you to the faculty, students, industry partners, and guests who made this year’s symposium such an inspiring gathering. Your curiosity, expertise, and commitment to innovation continue to drive the future of sustainable building. We’re proud to celebrate the groundbreaking work happening across our institutions, and we look forward to seeing where next year’s discoveries lead.

Miss this year’s event? Catch the presentations on our YouTube channel.