So great to catch up Ricky McLain, PE, SE to talk about #masstimber#sustainability and what WoodWorks is doing to have designers, engineering, contractors and developers to take on the Mass Timber Advantage!Build better, faster, and more economically with experts in the field.

Cross-Sections brings to you bite-size conversations with host Anthony Gude, as he chats with colleagues and leaders in the construction and industrial ecosystem

On this episode of Cross-Sections, Host Anthony Gude talked with Ricky McLain, PE, SE, Senior Technical Director – Tall Wood WoodWorks™ – Wood Products Council about the projects they have going on and industrialized construction, mass timber, tall buildings, and other research and developments.

McClain talked about WoodWorks and what they do. WoodWorks provides education and free technical support related to the design, engineering, and construction of commercial and multi-family wood buildings in the U.S. A non-profit staffed with architects, structural engineers, and construction experts.

“We really have two main focuses,” McClain said. “First, and the biggest, is one-on-one project-specific assistance on project support.” The second area they focus on is education.

Currently, they are working on a symposium on May 27, which will examine how project teams respond to the challenges brought on by the pandemic, as well as provide some educational opportunities. The symposium will bring speakers for 12 micro-sessions tailored toward structural engineers, developers, contractors, sustainability consultants, and architects.

The duo dug into the mass timber projects that WoodWorks is currently working on, often used in mid-to-low-rise buildings, where they’re working on about 100 projects.

“From a cost perspective, mass timber and light frame wood don’t compete well with each other,” McClain said.

Listen to hear McClain talk about the mass timber projects they have going on in Cleveland and Milwaukee.