GAB Report event briefing

Tour of Junction and Goldfinch Lofts in Des Moines, IA

  • DateOct 22, 2026 · 2:00 pm GMT-0500
  • FormatIn Person
  • LocationWest Des Moines, IA

About the event

This regional in-person tour explores two progressive multi-family housing developments demonstrating mass timber and light-frame hybrid construction. Participants visit Junction Lofts, the first residential mass timber building in the state and recipient of a US Forest Service Wood Innovation Grant, alongside Goldfinch Lofts, a Passive House-certified project pursuing Zero Carbon Certification under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. Led by structural engineer Jason Bahr and the project developer, the walkthrough highlights structural and architectural wood detailing, connection design, code compliance, fire resistance, and installation practices, concluding with an informal networking session.

What you’ll learn

  • Discuss typical construction practices for mass timber projects, including safety best practices, installation efficiency, and coordination with follow-on trades.
  • Highlight a variety of structural and architectural uses of mass timber and light-frame wood in hybrid design through an in-person tour of both an under-construction and completed project, highlighting the biophilic benefits of exposed mass timber and sustainable benefits of wood framing for occupants and visitors.
  • Demonstrate connection detailing techniques used in code-compliant mass timber buildings to ensure appropriate structural capacity, fire resistance, and consideration of the project construction type.
  • Explain the diverse methods of project development and approaches used by the design team, including owners, contractors, architects, and engineers, to achieve a successful mass timber project.

Attendance notes

Public parking is available throughout Historic Valley Junction. Transportation will be provided by bus between projects.


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