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This course examines the growing use of mass timber in K-12 school design, with a focus on the key drivers influencing its adoption, including speed of construction, sustainability, cost-efficiency, and code compliance. Attendees will gain insight into the national school construction market, understand how International Building Code (IBC) provisions support the use of mass timber in Types III, IV, and V construction, and compare costs and building configurations across material systems. Additional topics include fire performance and code allowances, acoustic and durability considerations, structural design strategies for long spans in gymnasiums and cafeterias, as well as practical tips for space planning and integration. The session concludes with case studies illustrating the successful implementation of mass timber in school projects across the country.

Learning Objective 1

Describe how current IBC code provisions allow for mass timber use in K-12 schools, including allowable building heights, areas, and stories for Types III, IV, and V construction.

Learning Objective 2

Identify key market drivers—such as speed of construction, sustainability, and aesthetics—that make mass timber an appealing choice for school design.

Learning Objective 3

Compare mass timber to steel and concrete systems in terms of cost, construction schedule, and performance, using real-world case studies and structural strategies.

Learning Objective 4

Understand best practices for acoustics, durability, fire resistance, and long-span structural solutions to meet the unique needs of K-12 learning environments.

Presenter Name

John O'Donald II

Presenter Bio

Regional Director for Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. John worked as a structural engineer for 10 years in the Mid-Atlantic before joining WoodWorks. For the last 5 years, john has assisted on numerous projects providing education and project support to architects, engineers, contractors and developers.