/
Second MPP House Prototype Underway
Second MPP House Prototype Underway

The Mass Plywood Panelized House second prototype is underway at the Emmerson Lab. The University of Oregon team, led by Judith Sheine and Mark Fretz, are working with Swinerton Builder and Timberlab on the project. The first prototype of the two-story, two-bedroom, house built inside the Emmerson Lab in 2024 and tested digital workflows, constructability and structural approach.

Following that process, the project was redesigned with a different construction and structural approach, substituting “platform” construction for “balloon frame” construction, i.e., the first prototype was built one floor at a time and the second will be constructed with full height vertical walls.

Prototype #2 is being constructed on the concrete pad outside in the Emmerson yard. While the first prototype did not include insulation and cladding, the second one will be fully clad. Along with testing digital workflows, constructability and structural approach, this will allow the team to produce performance data on daylighting, thermal, moisture, indoor air, and acoustics characteristics. The build is scheduled to finish by summer 2026, with data collection proceeding through spring 2027.

Funding was provided by EDA BBBRC Grant # 07-79-07906, and by Business Oregon’s Research Fund, Contract # C2022840.