'Laminate' Conference Explores Research and Education in Timber and Wood Design

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design convened representatives from 22 universities and programs on Dec. 5 for the virtual conference "Laminate," during which participants shared current work in timber- and wood-based design education and research.

The Fay Jones School has partnered with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities — the sponsor of the conference — along with the American Wood Council, the Softwood Lumber Board, and WoodWorks to form an academic design research consortium to gather, align and unify the growing number of schools conducting design teaching and design research work focused in timber and wood. The ambition of this academic consortium is to focus on the construction of successful architecture, design and engineering curricula, and to empower and expand design research efforts in timber and wood.

The "Laminate: Timber and Wood Design Education" conference held in December was a first step toward building this consortium, with a goal of establishing a better understanding of the current state of design education and research in North America and beyond.

The presentations from the 22 university and program representatives were divided into three group discussions. Each participant presented a brief summary of their timber- and wood-focused design teaching and design research in pecha kucha format (showing 20 slides over 400 seconds). Following the three rounds of presentations, the moderators from those groups led a concluding discussion.

The presentations and discussions arrived at several major themes, including how this consortium might best situate itself among existing groups and networks, said Jonathan Boelkins, teaching assistant professor. In order to translate timber and wood innovation into implementation, partnerships with technical programs can help build expertise in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The structure of the educational system needs to shift from a materials-based approach to a systems-based approach, with expanded educational offerings in timber and wood to increase the understanding of the material. The focus for students should include interdisciplinary approaches to learning, practice-based and hands-on learning, and getting those students into the forest — alongside discussions of sustainability and policy.

There is work to be done with policymakers to modify the codes for types of buildings and construction. Continued experimentation in professional design practices will help broaden the materials choices and conventions in architecture and construction, which will then inform university curriculum and research.

Participants in the virtual conference included Yale University, University of Toronto, Harvard University, University of Miami, University of Northern British Columbia, Auburn University, Washington State University, University of Oregon, California Polytechnic State University, Mississippi State University, University of Texas at Austin, Edinburgh Napier University and Aalto University, among others.

The presentations and materials gathered from the "Laminate" virtual conference will be used to shape and guide a broader consortium meeting in 2021 that will be open to all colleges and universities pursuing education and research in timber and wood.

"The 'Laminate' conferences build upon the work the school has accomplished over the last five years leading the region and nation in timber and wood design innovation," said Peter MacKeith, dean of the school. "The conferences aim to focus collaboration among schools and universities, and to identify areas of research and development for us all; the Fay Jones School is at the epicenter of this activity. From this platform, we look forward to recruiting and appointing our first professor of timber and wood design innovation, and to further productive work on behalf of the timber and wood products industries, and the state more generally."

Boelkins said that the Fay Jones School is assessing the best next steps to take, toward that second, more focused set of discussions and initiatives this year. A survey will be sent to the initial panelists, requesting information on defined areas of research and development, as well as possible meeting dates.

"We have shown that a virtual conference can be successful, and we know that travel possibilities for us all will be limited for the foreseeable future," he said.

This recent "Laminate" conference and the planned consortium meeting in 2021 are ways the Fay Jones School forges ahead in its commitment to promoting design excellence and innovation in design through the use of wood and timber, particularly that sourced in Arkansas, which is 57 percent forested. The school offers an Integrated Wood Design concentration within its Master of Design Studies program, and its faculty members have led studios and research and have designed professional projects focus on mass timber.

In recent years, the University of Arkansas has stepped into the spotlight as a center of design and research in mass timber and wood products, with timber projects including the university's Library Annex Building — the first mass timber construction project in the state — and Adohi Hall, the first large-scale mass timber residence hall project in the United States and completed in fall 2019.

Future University of Arkansas timber projects include the Ross and Mary Whipple Family Forest Education Center at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs and the Anthony Timberlands Center for Design and Materials Innovation in Fayetteville. The Anthony Timberlands Center is in the design development phase, and the groundbreaking for construction is planned for fall 2021.