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The article discusses the design and construction process of the Ascent project, a tall mass timber structure in the United States. The project required variances from building codes and close collaboration with authorities to address safety concerns. The final design incorporated cross-laminated timber panels supported by glulam beams and included fire protection measures. Extensive testing was conducted to ensure structural integrity, and the procurement process involved sourcing timber from European suppliers. The construction process involved careful coordination and monitoring, and the use of mass timber reduced the construction schedule. [Extracted from the article]

Being built over a tunnel, the development was subject to weight constraints; and the use of a timber superstructure resulted in a much lighter building compared to steel and concrete structures. Discussion Architects are in a unique position today to facilitate a global push toward a circular economy with lower embodied carbon within the construction industry using bio-based materials. It is incumbent on architects to challenge the building industry in this area to drive wider use of both old and new bio-based construction methods. [Extracted from the article]