Vibrant Timber Cities | Timber in the City 3: Opportunities for Architecture and Urbanism

In this panel discussion, “Vibrant Timber Cities”, guests examine the interplay between forests and cities, and the possibilities of using timber to address rapid urbanization and climate change. Host David Linehan of Lotus Equity presents a large-scale mass timber development project in Newark, NJ that demonstrates the creative possibilities and technical advantages of using timber to address sustained and durable urban transformation. Todd Snapp and Julie Michales from Perkins+Will Chicago share new ideas for implementing timber into the core and slabs of high-rise buildings. And Annie Perkins from Sustainable Forestry Initiative echoes the possibilities for timber building and addresses the future of sustainable forests, thriving communities, and responsible purchasing.

As part of the 2018 Timber in the City conference organized by Parsons’ School of Design, this panel demonstrates the vast creative and technical potential of mass timber in urban developments while highlighting its efficiency, durability, and lighter environmental footprint. Mass timber is one way to reconnect people with natural, non-toxic, sustainable building materials, and we believe it helps advance social and environmental justice in urban development projects.