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2026 Mass Timber Research Symposium Retrospective
2026 Mass Timber Research Symposium Retrospective

Thank you again to those that made it out to TDI’s ninth annual Mass Timber Research and Design Innovation Symposium! It would not be possible without the participation of everyone who attended, industry partners, presenters, students, and all of the researchers who have contributed to the innovative body of work discussed.

The symposium, which landed on a beautiful warm fall day on the OSU campus, brought together industry representatives, researchers from all three of our affiliated colleges, students, and members of the public. We heard presentations on a wide variety of ongoing projects related to the research and application of mass timber – from advances in robotics for fabrication to new material developments to architectural approaches to mass timber affordable housing.

For those of us at TDI, one highlight of the day occurred right at the beginning. In her opening remarks, Dr. Katy Kavanaugh, the Associate Dean of Research of the College of Forestry, highlighted the fundamental interconnectivity of forests and the built environment, and how it underpins much of the research supported by the ARS program and presented at the symposium.  Dr. Kavanaugh has been an instrumental figure in the ARS program from its inception, and we are very grateful for her support.

In between research updates, attendees enjoyed the chance to meet people and network throughout the day, and to walk through the Emmerson Laboratory, the new Oregon Fire Testing Facility, and the second MPP house prototype. The day was capped with a reception in Emmerson’s own seminar room, surrounded by artifacts of previous research and from work yet to come.

We were thrilled to welcome everyone this year, and we look forward to doing so again next year!

If you would like to catch up on what was presented, most of the presentations will be available on TDI’s Youtube channel starting next month.