Created in collaboration with Edward Becker (Associate Professor at Virginia Tech), Laura Britton (Senior Associate at Shigeru Ban Architects and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The Cooper Union), David Lewis (Principal at LTL Architects), and Gregory Kingsley (Director of Research at KL&A Engineers), this modular course package supports the integration of mass timber into architectural education.
As mass timber expands across building types and jurisdictions, architectural education must equip students to evaluate its structural, environmental, and delivery implications with rigor.
Hosted by ACSA, the resources provide educators with a comprehensive, flexible suite of teaching materials designed for immediate classroom use. The package includes fully developed, lecture-ready slide decks; technical guides and reference summaries; structured decision-making frameworks and comparison tools; detailed case studies with drawings and discussion prompts; and adaptable hands-on exercises. These materials can be implemented across curricula—from building technology courses to advanced, integrated design studios. The modules include:
Mass Timber 101
This course offers a foundational introduction to contemporary wood design and construction, addressing common misconceptions while clarifying how mass timber systems perform, where they are best applied, and how they align with current codes and project delivery frameworks.
Environment
This module examines the environmental dimensions of mass timber, including carbon accounting, forest management, and life cycle assessment. It equips students to evaluate sustainability claims with rigor and to situate material decisions within broader environmental and industry contexts.
Structural
A scaffolded introduction to the principles of mass timber structural engineering—from material behavior and load paths to integrated building system design. The module supports both foundational structures courses and advanced studios by aligning structural performance with code, constructability, and interdisciplinary coordination.
Prefabrication & Modular Construction
Focused on modularity and prefabrication, this module helps students navigate when and how off-site fabrication strategies can enhance project delivery. Through scholarly resources and decision-making frameworks, students can evaluate how system selection influences design intent, cost, and constructability.
Case Studies
A curated set of teaching cases designed to support discussion-based learning across studios and technical courses. Each case highlights specific design, structural, or systems challenges—providing faculty with adaptable materials to anchor critical analysis and applied decision-making.
Access is free for faculty—to download this package, follow the link below to the ACSA website.