We are developing affordable, resilient, energy-efficient, and climate-neutral housing solutions for all Oregonians—and beyond. Our 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath panelized housing design will be accessible to Oregonians, with the aim of addressing critical issues of climate change, affordable housing, health, and energy.

By leveraging the interdisciplinary expertise of professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, law, business, industry, municipalities, and the TallWood Design Institute, we are creating a systematic approach to tackle these challenges head-on. One key solution lies in the use of panelized wood products. These mass timber panels, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and mass plywood panels (MPP), are engineered by layering smaller dimensional lumber or wood veneer in alternating directions. The result is a renewable, carbon-sequestering building material that strengthens structural integrity while reducing environmental impact.

To expedite production and reduce costs, we are testing and digitally fabricating prefabricated wall panels. Fabrication of a full-scale prototype is currently underway at the Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Lab at Oregon State University in Corvallis, with the goal of making panelized housing a scalable and sustainable solution.

Read our paper from the Proceedings of the 2023 World Conference on Timber Engineering here.

Read our paper from the ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings  here.

Mockup and Panelized System Development

Recent mockup at the Emmerson Lab of an MPP wall system with embedded window frame and polycarbonate “energy shutter” to test thermal and infiltration response.