GAB Report event briefing

Mid-Rise Wood Design: Light-Frame and Mass Timber Strategies

  • DateOct 27, 2026 · 11:30 am GMT-0500
  • FormatVirtual

About the event

This regional online seminar hosted by WoodWorks provides an in-depth comparison of light-frame and mass timber systems for mid-rise building design. Led by structural engineer Mark Bartlett, the session investigates how building code provisions, construction classification, occupancy, and project objectives guide structural system selection. Participants will review specific tactics to maximize light-frame building dimensions using sprinklers, open frontage, sloping sites, podiums, and mezzanines. The course also details critical mass timber considerations such as grid layout, fire-resistance ratings, and lateral systems, referencing real-world built examples to demonstrate efficient, cost-effective structural execution.

What you’ll learn

  • Identify different wood systems that can be used for mid-rise construction and how construction type, occupancy, height, and area influence the selection of a safe and code-compliant wood structural system.
  • Apply code provisions for construction type, allowable height and area, sprinklers, open frontage, sloping sites, podiums, and mezzanines to maximize the potential of light-frame wood construction while maintaining required life-safety protections.
  • Evaluate key mass timber design considerations including structural grid, fire-resistance ratings, and lateral-force-resisting systems and their influence on structural performance, fire safety, and occupant welfare.
  • Review built projects to understand how code provisions and early design decisions can be integrated to achieve safe, efficient, and cost-effective mid-rise buildings.

Attendance notes

WoodWorks will send each attendee a certificate of completion within 2 weeks via email. Attendees must stay for the duration of the event to receive a certificate.


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