Preserving Historic Structures with Parametric Digital Twin Technology

At Löfstad Castle in Sweden, researchers have used parametric digital twin technology to help preserve a centuries-old landmark. A digital twin is a virtual representation of a building, a “living” model that can monitor a structure, collect real-time data, and simulate scenarios like design changes or weather events, showing their potential impacts.

By creating a digital twin and combining sensors, cloud computing, and data modeling, the researchers built a system that evaluated the castle’s ventilation and energy efficiency and detected hidden moisture issues. This allowed conservators to then make data-driven restoration decisions, including the design of sustainable climate controls. While Löfstad Castle is a masonry structure, this technology can be applied to historic timber frame buildings as well, offering a powerful tool to monitor structural health, prevent material degradation, and extend the lifespan of heritage architecture through adaptive preservation.

To explore mass timber possibilities for your next project, contact our team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. We’re excited by the opportunities mass timber presents to the US market and are ready to help you achieve your architectural and development goals.

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But that’s only one of several impactful environmental advantages that timber has over other construction materials. When compared to steel and concrete, timber provides impressive sustainability benefits that the building industry now recognizes as powerful reasons for its increased use. We’ve collected five of those advantages here:

1. Carbon Sequestration: The carbon dioxide that trees trap from the atmosphere is refunded with oxygen from the process of photosynthesis. Timber continues to store this carbon throughout the span of its use as a building material, effectively acting as a carbon sink.
2. Energy Efficiency in Production: Compared to cement and steel, timber’s manufacturing process emits fewer carbon emissions — about 1/3 of the emissions produced by making cement and 1/20 of those produced in steel manufacturing.
3. Reduced Construction Waste: Advanced milling and processing technologies like off-site CTC machines minimize waste, eliminating the dross produced by on-site cutting. The small amount of lumber waste that is produced can then be repurposed in cross-laminated timber and glued laminated timber products.
4. End-of-Life Recycling & Reuse: Heavy timber can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life cycle, thereby reducing waste that might otherwise go to a landfill. To further preserve resources, reclaimed timber can be used in new construction. Using timber from old barns and buildings gives new structures a genuine, rustic feel that is otherwise only earned over many, many years.
5. Aesthetic & Psychological Benefits: Timber buildings bring us closer to nature, with the various hues of wood, the grain, and the overall aesthetic surrounding us with the familiar feel of the natural world. This is why timber buildings are often perceived as warmer and more inviting, promoting a sense of well-being for their occupants. This feeling, known as biophilia, improves mental health and productivity, making timber a popular choice for educational facilities, hospitality centers, offices, and shared living spaces.

By viewing its life cycle from a holistic perspective, we see the larger picture of how timber interacts with the environment from forest to frame. Using renewable natural resources in construction not only provides high-quality building materials, it overcomes the harmful shortfalls that steel and concrete introduce into the world.

To learn more about how timber construction can benefit your next project — and lessen its impact on the environment — contact the team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes.

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But beyond the tradition of using timber as a building material, whether in the form of heavy timber beams or mass timber (multiple layers of wood tightly glued and laminated together), there are more reasons to embrace its use:

1. Aesthetic Harmony: In accord with the pines that boldly ascend the mountainsides, timber is a natural material choice, particularly in conjunction with granite and sandstone. The play between textures and coloration is naturally complementary and echoes the sweeping landscapes they inhabit.
2. Sustainability: As a renewable resource, timber is desirable to architects, builders, and homeowners. The carbon emissions produced in its manufacture are far lower than mineral-based building materials such as iron and steel (50% less), and cement (25% less)¹, with the added benefit of wood acting as a carbon trap throughout its life cycle — and beyond, as part of the building.
3. Off-Site Construction: Timber frame structures can be crafted off-site, which, given the weather variations of the Rocky Mountains, helps keep a building project on schedule without interruption from Mother Nature. Off-site construction also enables fine attention to detail within a fabrication shop, which is not always possible on-site. An added bonus: assembly on-site moves quickly thanks to preformed joinery that slips into place.
4. Lower Environmental Impact: Timber is lighter in weight than steel and concrete, allowing for more material to be carried per truckload, resulting in fewer trucks on roads. And, because of its lower weight, timber doesn’t always require heavy machinery or extensive excavation, which can mean less soil disturbance and better preservation of natural habitats.
5. Cost Savings: With timber framing’s off-site manufacture and ease of assembly on-site comes a reduced need for manpower at the construction site, which may lower project costs — including travel and lodging — while also producing less activity and construction mess on the property.
6. Customization & Design Flexibility: The sweeping vistas of the Rocky Mountains are, of course, best viewed in the open air, but they are also gorgeously framed by large picture windows. Because of timber framing’s capacity for large spans, huge windows are possible without the interruption of supports to block the panorama. Likewise, large, open rooms can be built, with cathedral ceilings soaring high above, echoing the expanse outside.
7. Durability: Timber, when properly treated and maintained, can withstand harsh weather to repel harrowing conditions for years, creating a structural heirloom for a family to pass down to generations to come.
8. Fire Resistance: Wildfires are, naturally, of utmost concern in the region. In light of this, building with timber may seem like a poor choice, but when properly treated, timber is surprisingly fire-resistant. Upon exposure to flames, the outer layers of heavy or mass timber beams will char to form an insulation that protects their inner strength.

Timber frame buildings are a natural fit to the Rocky Mountain region, given their rich heritage and cultural significance. But additionally, timber has qualities in sustainability, durability, safety, and efficiency that other materials simply can’t match, making it a desirable and practical choice for builders beneath the mountains’ majesty. To move forward with a timber frame project of your own, contact the team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes today.

¹ Mark Dwortzan, “Taking the carbon out of construction with engineered wood.” MIT News, December 11, 2019, https://news.mit.edu/2019/taking-carbon-out-construction-with-engineered-wood-1211

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Modern clubhouses recall the character of these classic buildings while adding 21st century touches, from tech accessibility and large commercial-grade kitchens to more spacious and amenity-filled locker rooms. And to bond the past with the present, timber framing, whether as heavy timber or engineered timber, is an obvious choice, as the following reasons illustrate.

Timeless Appeal

Heavy timber beams lend themselves to stunning exposed structural spans and supports, conjuring the storied clubhouses of old and emulating ancient European halls. The organic texture of these beams brings a stately atmosphere to new construction that fits perfectly with golf’s traditions.

Architectural Versatility

But historical styling isn’t all timber can do. Open, airy interiors are easy to create with the wide span strength of timber, allowing for versatile spaces with large windows, plentiful natural light, and dazzling views of a club’s greens and grounds. Engineered timber such as glulam (glued laminated timber) and CLT (cross-laminated timber) are elegant choices that can give a modern feel of lightness, though solid-sawn timber is also an excellent choice.

Environmental Sustainability

The demand for sustainable building materials has never been higher, and timber framing embodies the ideology of using a renewable natural resource. Trees sequester carbon as they grow — and continue to afterward, as part of a structure — keeping carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Timber production uses a fraction of the energy required for steel and concrete manufacturing. Additionally, timber-framed buildings can be designed for energy efficiency, utilizing natural ventilation and insulation to reduce energy consumption.

Sound Absorption

Timber is naturally sound absorbent, helping to combat echoes in large rooms and allowing easy conversation and pleasant music volume levels to flow throughout the space. Smaller areas, such as locker rooms, can benefit from this as well, keeping noise down and upholding a calming atmosphere.

Nature Compatible

Timber structures fit comfortably within the natural surroundings of a golf course, blending into the landscape and enhancing the overall ambiance of the club. The clubhouse becomes a warm, welcoming haven to gather before or after a round of golf, or as a place to socialize and celebrate the game.

Speed of Construction

Prefabrication of timber elements can expedite the construction process and remove much of the mess from the build site. When timber components are crafted in a controlled factory setting, it helps to ensure accuracy while also removing weather-related delays from the process. And once the timber components arrive on-site, construction moves quickly as the precut timbers are erected. Old-fashioned techniques like mortise-and-tenon joinery may be used to heighten the aura of timeless craftsmanship and heritage.

In Conclusion

Simply put, timber frame construction supports the enduring spirit of the game of golf. Wood’s sustainable qualities, versatility, and efficiency make it a wise choice for clubhouses and other course structures; its natural beauty set amongst lush greens makes it irresistible to the eye. Before teeing off on your next project, or to get more information about timber frame construction, consult with the experts at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. Fore!

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With a dedicated in-house fabricator, projects may realize several benefits:

• Tailored Design & Customization – In-house fabricators can collaborate closely your architect to customize timber frame designs according to specific project requirements, tailoring their solutions to ensure the frame meets unique architectural and structural specifications.
• Timely Project Completion – In-house operations often lead to faster productions times. Without the need to outsource fabrication, delays may be eliminated as coordination between different stages becomes one seamless flow of work. And, an in-house fabricator who specializes in timber frame construction will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to a project, which enables them to foresee and avoid time-swallowing pitfalls that may have been overlooked in the design and planning stages
• Streamlined Communications – With one point of contact for fabrication, immediate feedback can be given and adjustments made to address any unexpected issues. Direct communication between the design team and fabricator also helps to facilitate quick decision-making and problem-solving, which eliminates the types of delays that come from slow email responses and missed phone calls.
• Quality Control – As In-house fabricators maintain control over the entire fabrication process, it’s easier to implement and maintain strict quality control measures. Regular inspections and quality checks ensure top-tier craftsmanship from start to finish. And, because every build is the sum of its parts, using components of the best quality helps complete the best quality structures.
• Cost Efficiency – Using a single fabricator eliminates third-party markups and outsourcing costs, which is music to a PM’s ears. Efficiencies and optimized processes that are learned from experience not only give time savings, but may contribute to budgetary benefits as well.
• Flexibility & Adaptability – Sudden changes in design or project scope can be difficult for multiple vendors to react to, causing delays and confusion. One in-house fabricator can more easily adapt to plan adjustments without significant disruptions or additional costs.
• Seamless Integration with the Construction Team – Close collaboration between the fabricator and construction team enhances coordination and integration during the building process. As the two parties work together and build trust, a long-term relationship may arise that will lead to an easy understanding, a sense of partnership, and better synergy on future projects.

Finding efficiencies in the building process benefits everyone involved, from start to finish. Enlisting the services and talents of an experienced in-house fabricator to collaborate with your designer can lead to savings in cost and time, and make the entire process go smoothly. Before moving forward with your next timber project, consult the fabrication experts at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes.

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Up to Code

Due to the expanding market for mass timber structures, in 2021 the International Building Code (IBC) added subtypes to their Type IV classification, which encompasses timber construction. The type is now divided into three categories of fire resistance, with varying fire suppression systems required for each:

• Type IV-A is for buildings with all structural elements, internal and external, completely protected with noncombustible protection, such as Type X gypsum board. This is the highest fire resistance level in this type.
• Type IV-B is for buildings with some interior structural elements exposed, but with all concealed spaces and shafts fully protected with noncombustible protection.
• Type IV-C is for buildings with most structural elements left unprotected, relying instead on the inherent fire-resistant nature of the mass timber itself.

Safety First

The safety of occupants is ultimately the most important aspect of any structure. With the ICC’s updated requirements, they have laid the foundation for mass timber construction to follow strict fire safety rules while also satisfying the public’s demand for safe structures. The Type IV subtypes also affirm that modern mass timber is here to stay, and that it’s a safe, viable alternative to traditional concrete and steel.

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Understanding Off-Site Construction

We can define the broader picture this way: Remember learning the premise that all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares? The same holds true for modular and off-site construction. All modular builds are off-site, but not all off-site builds are modular.

Let’s also establish that off-site building has several advantages over on-site construction. Assembling large structural elements in a climate-controlled factory virtually eliminates weather delays, removes the travel expenses of transporting and accommodating a whole crew, diminishes on-site safety issues, and greatly improves bottom-line return for investors thanks to timeline predictability.

Additionally, in areas with short building seasons, materials can be assembled off-site and brought in at the ideal point in the construction schedule. In places where accessibility is limited, such as tight urban plots, off-site building also saves precious space while lessening noise and activity, which in turn keeps down complaints from neighbors. And, in light of today’s difficulties securing qualified labor, off-site factory-based construction requires fewer people to get the job done, saving even more time and money.

The Off-Site Process

Off-site construction as a whole includes a wide range of possibilities, including modular builds, wall builds, and assembling individual elements of the structure, such as timber framing. When timber frames are constructed off-site, whether they’re glue laminated or heavy timber, incredible precision is possible, with craftsmen poring over every detail to create beautiful, structurally sound elements. Trusses, posts, beams, and more can be created off-site and brought to the build, adding the perfect aesthetics and structural components the architect intended.

Making It Modular

Alternately, in modular construction, it’s often entire cubes of built space that are created in a factory and moved as a whole unit to the construction site. Other options include complete floors or precast concrete wall sections that are trucked in and lowered into position. Modular construction can also be temporary or permanent, depending on future plans for the site. Take, for example, temporary schoolrooms or hospital additions that are needed while the main building is undergoing construction for permanent changes.

While aspects of off-site and modular building elements may differ, each have their own advantages. With modular, pre-wiring is possible, and once sections are set into place, the new spaces are nearly ready for use. In the case of cookie-cutter rooms, as in hotels or dormitories, this may be the preferred construction style to meet deadlines and targeted costs. Likewise, with off-site timber frame construction, structural strength and soaring elegance can be achieved without on-site inefficiencies and weather delays.

Timber Frames Built Off-Site, Delivered On Time

At Mid-Atlantic Timberframes, our expert craftsmen know firsthand the benefits of off-site construction. If you have questions or are ready to get started, contact us to begin a conversation about off-site construction for your timber frame home, barn, event venue, or commercial structure. Let’s build something amazing together!

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1. Structural Integrity: Heavy timber structures can last for centuries and are incredibly durable. They have the ability to withstand damage from fire and natural disasters — including earthquakes and hurricanes — better than other building materials because of the wood’s natural elasticity, strength, and lighter weight.
2. Sustainability Benefits: Timber is a renewable building material that can help environmentally conscious institutions reduce their carbon footprint. Trees naturally absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and even after they’ve have been harvested and turned into timber for construction, that carbon will continue to be stored in the wood for a building’s lifetime. Timber’s manufacturing process also emits fewer carbon emissions — about 1/3 of the emissions produced by making brick and 1/20 of those produced in steel manufacturing!
3. Aesthetic Appeal: The natural beauty of heavy timber buildings is unmatched. Colleges are relying on timber to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere on campus, one that staff and students alike want to spend time in. Timber framing naturally lends itself to open floor plans and oversized windows, which allow natural light to pour into the entire space. This lets students study and learn without the harsh glow of fluorescent lights.
4. Design Flexibility: Heavy timber offers design flexibility that other building materials do not. Timber construction requires fewer load-bearing walls, which creates greater flexibility in terms of creating floor plans and determining the location of doors, windows, and structural supports. Additionally, timber complements any architectural style, making it suitable for a wide range of settings, from a historic Ivy League school to a modern urban campus.
5. Health Benefits: One of the incredible benefits of timber frame structures is their ability to create a biophilic environment. Experiencing aspects of nature, even indoors, boosts humans’ connection with nature and provides both physiological and psychological benefits. Timber buildings can decrease staff and students’ stress levels, inspire creativity, increase productivity, and enhance their overall well-being.

Timber & Higher Learning, a Natural Fit

There’s an abundance of evidence supporting the benefits of building with heavy timber, which is why it’s becoming a popular choice for colleges and universities. Timber frame construction meets the sustainability goals of many of these institutions, while also creating a beautiful, calming environment for students and professors to do their best work.

If you’re interested in starting a heavy timber project of your own, contact the team at Mid-Atlantic Timberframes. We look forward to bringing the benefits of timber frame construction to your next project.

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Lunch & Learns

To sign up for any of the following lunch and learns, please email our general manager, Sam Ebersol.

1. Timber Framing: An Age-Old Craft for the Modern Era
   This course, written with the Timber Framers Guild, provides an overview of timber frame construction. Using a mix of expertise, personal anecdotes, and beautiful photography, Sam delves into a range of topics, including the history, benefits, process, costs, materials, and design options of heavy timber construction. Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation.
2. Building Sustainably: Fire Safety & Design Solutions for Building with Heavy Timber
   Heavy timber is one of the industry’s oldest building materials and continues to be a popular choice for builders and homeowners in today’s market. Sustainability and fire safety are primary concerns when it comes to timber frame construction. This presentation provides not just a general overview of building with heavy timber but also an in-depth look at the environmental advantages and fire safety benefits of timber frame construction. This is an accredited course with the AIA, and participants can earn one LU (learning unit).
3. Why Heavy Timber Is the Future of Design & Construction: The Evolution of a Proven Building Method
   Not only does timber framing have a rich past, but its future also promises to showcase its unique aesthetics, sustainable practices, and construction-site benefits. This lunch and learn covers a range of topics, including the history and evolution of heavy timber framing, its environmental advantages, timber-related technology, and the future of the industry. This is an accredited course with the AIA, and participants can earn one LU/HSW (learning unit / Health, Safety, and Wellness).

Live Webinar: The Evolution of a Proven Building Method

Mid-Atlantic Timberframes is excited to present this live webinar exploring the evolution of timber frame construction over the centuries. We will discuss the timber framing process from the perspectives of design, engineering, and construction, and we’ll also highlight its benefits, including fire resistance, thermal and structural performance, value, and more. Presenters Sam Ebersol and Mike Banta (our general manager and operations manager) will also discuss the latest technology and vibrant future of timber frame construction.

Join us on Tuesday, June 6, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT. Click here to register for this online event.

Learn from Our Heavy Timber Experts

Whether you’re new to the world of heavy timber or you’re looking for the latest industry information, we hope to see you at one of our presentations. You can also stay up-to-date on Mid-Atlantic Timberframes’ latest learning opportunities by signing up to receive our quarterly newsletter, Timber Talk.

If you have specific questions about timber frame construction, we’d love to hear from you — contact us today.

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Areas with Extreme Weather

Heavy timber’s exceptional strength and durability help timber frame structures stand up well to extreme conditions such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. In fact, TerraNova Equestrian Center in Myakka City, Florida, withstood the heavy winds and torrential rain of Category 4 Hurricane Ian in 2022. While the storm destroyed many homes and properties in the area, TerraNova’s sturdy timber frame pavilion held up against the elements. Heavy timber can flex and absorb impact, reducing damage and increasing safety in even the toughest weather conditions.

Rural or Remote Locations

A unique benefit of timber frame construction is the ability to build the frame off-site and assemble it on location. Because of this, heavy timber homes and other structures are ideal for rural or remote areas, where access to traditional building materials and resources may be limited and can cause delays. Off-site construction requires fewer trips to the job site, allows for better precision and quality, and can expedite the overall timeline of a building project.

Additionally, timber frame structures can be designed to be self-sufficient using renewable energy sources, which could be a necessity in areas considered “off the grid.” These buildings are already very energy efficient thanks to the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs), which create a tight building envelope and allow better temperature regulation throughout the seasons. SIPs retain heat in the winter and keep the interior cool in the summer, helping to reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems.

Naturally Beautiful Settings

Timber frame buildings’ natural, rustic appearance fits in well in wooded areas, mountainous regions, and along waterfronts. The warm and inviting atmosphere created by timber makes it perfect for the vacation homes and lodges often found in these settings.

This gorgeous timber frame visitors center in British Columbia offers a spectacular view of the coast. The use of heavy timber beams, hardwood floors, and natural wood details incorporate aspects of the great outdoors into the design, and an open floor plan allows natural light to spill into the building, blurring the lines of indoor and outdoor spaces.

The Sustainability of Timber

No matter the setting, sustainability is another benefit of timber frame construction — one that we know is increasingly important to our customers. Timber is a renewable resource, and timber buildings tend to generate a lower carbon footprint than those built with other materials. At Mid-Atlantic Timberframes, we embrace sustainable, eco-friendly building practices by sourcing our timber from responsibly managed forests and recycling our timber waste.

Mid-Atlantic Timberframes has over a decade of experience building timber homes and other structures along the East Coast and throughout the United States. We are known for our attention to detail, eye for design, and quality craftsmanship. If you have a timber project in mind, or you’d like more information about timber frame construction, contact us to start a conversation today.

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