FRAME BUILDER - VOL7 NO2 / 25 
“Timber is arguably our 
most important green 
construction material,” 
said Hughes, “it is 
abundant, renewable, possesses 
good technical characteristics, 
and can be converted into a host 
of different ‘engineered’ wood 
products with relatively minor 
inputs of energy and other 
materials.”4
Further, timber framing is a 
champion of waste reduction 
and recycling, embodying the 
principles of a circular economy. 
First, there is very little waste 
generated in highly efficient 
production processes. Artisans 
working in controlled plant 
conditions can cut all pieces to 
necessary lengths with great 
precision, making the most 
effective and complete use of 
the materials. Secondly, offcuts 
and byproducts are carefully 
repurposed or recycled, reducing 
the burden on landfills. This 
sustainable approach aligns with 
responsible forest management 
practices, in which harvested trees 
are use efficiently, leaving very little 
waste.
Additionally, less work on the 
jobsite means less air pollution, 
dust, and noise in areas near other 
buildings and communities. This is 
good for the general environment, 
as well as for neighbors who are 
not eager to be near dirty, noisy, 
and long-lasting construction 
projects.
Form and function
Part of the enduring appeal of 
wood is its flexibility and utility. 
As technology and techniques 
improve, that element continues 
to grow. At the Jewish Center 
of the Hamptons in New York, 
a new pavilion represents an 
example of a modern approach 
to designing with mass timber. 
In this project, the material 
transcends its traditional structural 
role and steps into an integral 
part of the building’s water 
management system. Alaskan 
yellow cedar glulam was selected 
for its durability in a coastal 
environment, with carefully 
designed channels that collect 
and redirect water through the 
structural elements.
The pavilion’s design mimics 
natural forms, creating a profound 
connection between the built 
environment and the landscape. 
Skylights, sawtooth roof profiles, 
continued on page: 26
YOUR TOOLKIT FOR BUILDING EXCELLENCE
The project used structural insulated panels with an R–40 insulation value, 
ensuring exceptional energy efficiency and building performance. 

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