{"id":28467,"date":"2025-10-01T17:20:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T07:20:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/?p=28467"},"modified":"2025-10-01T17:21:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T07:21:16","slug":"columbus-is-breaking-ground-with-americas-biggest-timber-dorm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/columbus-is-breaking-ground-with-americas-biggest-timber-dorm\/","title":{"rendered":"Columbus is Breaking Ground with America\u2019s Biggest Timber Dorm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The first large-scale mass-timber student dorm to be built in Columbus, Ohio\u2014and the tallest of its kind anywhere in the United States\u2014will use a special type of wood-on-wood connectors that could set a new benchmark for timber engineering.  It comes after Harbor Bay Ventures started work on 9th and High, a 13-story, 186-unit, 493-bed complex at 1497 North High Street, a stone\u2019s throw away from the Ohio State University campus, last month<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe structural system relies on wood-to-wood connections for the glulam columns, complemented by standardised, off-the-shelf connectors from Simpson Strong-Tie for the glulam beam-to-column joints,&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0said Josh Dortzbach, CEO of Forefront Structural Engineers.\u00a0&#8220;These standardised details are designed to streamline the framing process and accelerate construction.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The off-the-shelf concealed connectors are expected to achieve a Fire Resistance Rating (FRR) of two hours, he said, adding that his company has developed unique composite connectors that integrate the topping slabs with the cross-laminated timber deck. \u201cThis advancement improves the structural performance of the deck by enabling longer spans and reducing deflections\u2014critical to supporting the building\u2019s high-performance exterior enclosure,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9.webp\" alt=\"29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9\" class=\"wp-image-29065\" srcset=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9.webp 900w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9-300x183.webp 300w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9-768x469.webp 768w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9-687x420.webp 687w, https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/29f0c2738f068a33a70e577b75c98d87072d7af9-696x425.webp 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Construction has started on a 13-story mass timber building to be used for student housing in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo Credit: Supplied by Harbor Bay Venutes)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Deflection refers to the degree to which a structural member, such as a beam, joist, rafter or floor system bends or sags under a load. \u201cThis project was optimised for the North American supply chain, demonstrating that we can build tall mass timber cost-effectively in the heart of the Midwest, with our own forests in truly sustainable ways,\u201d Dortzbach added. \u201cIn the process, we will realise a net sequestration of 1,128 metric tons of CO\u2082e\u2014the equivalent of 2,169 round-trip flights from Columbus to Key West.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wood Central understands that the developers opted for mass timber over steel and concrete to reduce carbon emissions, accelerate the build process, and showcase the warm, tactile quality of exposed wood. \u201cThis cutting-edge project hits on so many important topics, including sustainability, affordability, forest management, an evolving workforce and American timber production from our friends at SmartLam,\u201d said Mark J. Bell, Harbor Bay\u2019s CEO. He added that local and state officials have embraced what he called \u201ctrue innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"_7i0mtYEjh4\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"INTRO Cleveland \u2013 \u201cSomething Absolutely Incredible\u201d\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_7i0mtYEjh4?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The new project comes after Harbor Bay&#8217;s first mass timber project &#8211; INTRO Cleveland &#8211; received international recognition for the Public-Private Partnerships that were created to build the United States\u2019 Largest Residential Timber Structure. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>SmartLam North America\u2014among the nation\u2019s largest mass-timber manufacturers\u2014will deliver 4,306 cubic metres of domestically grown cross-laminated panels and glue-laminated columns and beams. In collaboration with Forefront Structural Engineers, the design integrates concealed Simpson Strong-Tie connectors to secure a two-hour fire-resistance rating. \u201cWe optimised the design for the North American supply chain and will sequester 1,128 metric tons of CO\u2082e\u2014the equivalent of 2,169 round-trip flights from Columbus to Key West,\u201d said Josh Dortzbach, Forefront\u2019s CEO. Columbus-based Elford Construction will oversee the build, aiming to welcome students by summer 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWorking with Harbor Bay Ventures on 9th and High has been a smooth experience,\u201d according to Doreen Uhas Sauer, the chair of the Columbus planning committee. \u201cThis alignment has protected diverse neighbourhoods and supported housing that reflects both sustainability and community needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>City planners view the project as a template for future development along North High Street. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to welcome a new partner to Columbus who will not only bring much-needed housing to a high-demand area but also introduce innovative building materials that will be vital to delivering the density we need,\u201d said Erin Prosser, Deputy Director of Housing Strategies for the City of Columbus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DLR Group\u2019s architectural scheme stacks townhomes and apartments around shared lounges, fitness centres and rooftop study terraces. \u201c9th and High is more than student housing; it\u2019s a prototype for the next generation to live, learn and thrive,\u201d said Cameron K. Jacobson, AIA, project architect at DLR. He noted that the building\u2019s exposed timber \u201cshapes vibrant communities that support both connection and focus.\u201d The new development marks Harbor Bay\u2019s second mass-timber venture in Ohio and comes after its 2022 INTRO Cleveland project opened as the largest LEED Gold residential timber structure in the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To learn more about the push to build more timber skyscrapers in the Midwest, <a href=\"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/why-milwaukee-midwest-sparks-new-wave-of-timber-skyscrapers\/\">click here for Wood Central&#8217;s special<\/a> feature from May 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first large-scale mass-timber student dorm to be built in Columbus, Ohio\u2014and the tallest of its kind anywhere in the United States\u2014will use a special type of wood-on-wood connectors that could set a new benchmark for timber engineering. It comes after Harbor Bay Ventures started work on 9th and High, a 13-story, 186-unit, 493-bed complex [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28469,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"default","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[51,3,38,37,35,33,46,39,48,49,68,31],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[70],"class_list":{"0":"post-28467","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-americas","8":"category-architecture","9":"category-architecture-and-design","10":"category-building-and-construction","11":"category-case-studies","12":"category-editors-picks","13":"category-industry","14":"category-mass-timber","15":"category-mid-rise-construction","16":"category-residential","17":"category-sector","18":"category-top-stories"},"authors":[{"term_id":70,"user_id":2,"is_guest":0,"slug":"jason","display_name":"Jason Ross","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/J-Ross-headshot.jpeg","url2x":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/J-Ross-headshot.jpeg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28467"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29069,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28467\/revisions\/29069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28467"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodcentral.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=28467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}