Construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is advancing with the completion of the first phase of a $400 million mass timber project in Medora, North Dakota. Designed to honor the 26th president’s deep connection to the Badlands, the structure represents a groundbreaking blend of historical tribute and sustainable architecture.

Vancouver, British Columbia-based Mercer Mass Timber is providing around 1,800 cubic meters of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (glulam) for the 93,000-square-foot structure. According to a May 20 news release, phase one centered on the primary museum building and its striking roof structure.

The project is being managed by JE Dunn Construction, a Kansas City, Missouri-based general contractor, known for its national footprint in complex building projects. Together, the companies are crafting what could become one of the largest and most architecturally significant mass timber buildings in the Midwest.

A standout element of the design is the roof, which was engineered to resemble the natural rolling hills of the North Dakota Badlands. The complex geometry requires specially fabricated glulam connections and steel cores wrapped in timber to achieve both the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal that the design demands.

“This project is a testament to what visionary design combined with advanced mass timber engineering can create,” said Ricardo Brites, director of engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber. The company recently launched a dedicated construction services division to meet growing demand for timber-based structures in the U.S. and Canada.

As part of phase two, Mercer will provide custom-designed canopies that will support photovoltaic panels, integrating renewable energy into the landmark project. The final mass timber components are scheduled for delivery on June 1, marking the transition into this next construction phase.

The library is being developed on a sweeping site in Medora — a location Roosevelt himself cherished. Although he hailed from New York, Roosevelt once remarked that his experiences in North Dakota shaped his leadership: he would not have become president without them. After losing his wife and mother on the same day in 1884, he retreated to the Badlands for solitude and healing.

The new presidential library is set to open on July 4, 2026, symbolically aligning its debut with Independence Day and reflecting Roosevelt's legacy of rugged individualism and national pride. In addition to exhibitions and educational spaces, the library will feature trails, scenic overlooks, and outdoor experiences that reflect Roosevelt’s commitment to conservation and the American wilderness.

By incorporating sustainable mass timber at this scale, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library aims to be a national model for environmentally conscious public buildings, while also telling the story of a man who deeply valued both nature and nation.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.