Michigan State University is playing a pivotal role in advancing the mass timber construction industry, combining research, education and industry collaboration to position Michigan as a leader in sustainable building practices.
Through its flagship initiative, MassTimber@MSU, the university is helping bridge the gap between forestry resources, construction innovation and climate-conscious development.
The roots of this effort trace back to environmental challenges in California, where severe drought conditions in 2016 led to widespread forest damage and over 100 million dead trees, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
That crisis inspired Sandra Lupien, now director of MassTimber@MSU, to explore scalable solutions using wood waste.
“People were really relating to that value proposition,” Lupien said. “They thought it was an exciting business prospect. We were selling some furniture, but we very quickly realized that the scale of the problem we were trying to address was so enormous. What we were doing was so tiny in comparison, and we wanted to pivot to making something that was more scalable.
“We knew someone with the U.S. Forest Service, and he asked us if we knew what mass timber was. We didn’t, but after learning more we thought that was the scalable solution we wanted to pursue. But there wasn’t much infrastructure in place to help grow the mass timber economy – particularly one based on using wood that would otherwise burn or rot in forests.”
Mass timber refers to engineered wood products—such as panels, beams and columns—designed for large-scale structural use, even in high-rise buildings.
Compared to traditional materials like steel and concrete, mass timber offers several advantages:
At MSU, these benefits are not just theoretical—they are being demonstrated in real-world applications.
The university’s STEM Teaching and Learning Facility in East Lansing serves as a hub for mass timber education and outreach. The building showcases how the material can be used effectively while doubling as a training ground for students and industry professionals.
“MassTimber@MSU is about education, outreach, research and policy that brings together expertise from across campus, state agencies, contractors, architects and other industry organizations to provide a boost to mass timber in Michigan and throughout the Midwest,” said George Berghorn.
“Sandra and I have hosted more than 4,000 people at the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, and that allows us to educate interested partners on the benefits of mass timber and what it can do for the environment and Michigan’s economy.
“We see a lot of demand from companies that want to tie mass timber directly to their environmental, social and business goals, and they’re seeing that mass timber becomes a tool to achieve that. There are also a number of companies that want to be on the cutting edge of innovation, and we’re working with them regularly.”
MSU researchers are tackling key technical and economic challenges to accelerate adoption.
Key focus areas include:
Berghorn noted that while upfront costs may be higher than steel or concrete, time savings from prefabrication can offset those expenses.
“For me personally, being at a land-grant university, it gives us the ability to work closely with folks who are out on the front end of innovation and make the knowledge accessible to others,” Berghorn said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to play a role in resolving technical issues to understand more about how products can perform and how the work can be done more efficiently, but our educational programs are geared toward advancing knowledge for students and companies who can put it to use.”
A major component of MSU’s effort is preparing the next generation workforce.
The university has developed specialized curriculum modules in construction management programs, enabling graduates to enter the workforce with hands-on knowledge of mass timber systems.
This approach is helping address a critical gap in skilled labor as demand for sustainable construction materials grows.
MassTimber@MSU collaborates closely with:
These partnerships have already yielded tangible results. More than 65 mass timber buildings are currently planned, under construction or completed across Michigan.
“There are so many benefits to mass timber from an economic and environmental perspective, but people also have a positive response to being in a mass timber building,” Lupien said. “They benefit from the exposure to the natural element of wood. We think there’s a strong need for us with MassTimber@MSU to continue to be engaged and be the driving force behind the mass timber economy in our state and our region.”
Despite growing demand, one major challenge remains: supply.
Currently, most mass timber materials used in Michigan projects are sourced from Canada, Europe or other U.S. regions. Establishing a local production facility could significantly boost the regional economy and reduce costs.
Industry leaders say MSU’s role is critical in overcoming these barriers.
.jpg)
“It’s really about uniting people, educating them about the material and its benefits,” said Doug Peters. “The MassTimber@MSU program has been great about getting out in front of things. It can be really difficult when you bring a new technology to the marketplace, and there are so many hurdles you need to clear. But when you have partners like MSU that can help navigate an emerging industry, it’s extremely useful.”
Mass timber sits at the intersection of climate action, construction innovation and economic development.
By leveraging its research capabilities and industry connections, MSU is not only helping expand the use of sustainable materials but also shaping a new construction ecosystem across the Midwest.
Without this coordinated effort, stakeholders say progress would be significantly slower.
“It would take us several years as a state agency to try to work these angles… but having MSU with a building to showcase and being proactive in making those connections is absolutely crucial,” said Shannon Lott.
Originally reported by Cameron Rudolph in MSU.
