AWC welcomes Timber City exhibit to the National Building Museum

Washington, D.C. — The American Wood Council (AWC) was on hand to welcome the Timber City exhibit to the National Building Museum, which runs through May 2017 in Washington, D.C. The exhibition demonstrates the many advantages offered by cutting-edge methods of timber construction, including strength, fire resistance, sustainability and beauty.

Photo by Yassine al Mansouri, courtesy National Building Museum

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings account for 39 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions per year in the United States alone. Wood is the only building material made from renewable resources that also offers a carbon-sequestering alternative in both its resource and its construction.

“AWC applauds the National Building Museum for challenging the traditional notion of the capability of wood products through this exhibition. New, innovative wood products have significantly increased the opportunities for tall wood construction, but more education is needed. Timber City and the introduction of legislation such as the Timber Innovation Act in the U.S. House and Senate are important pieces in moving toward reducing the environmental footprint of our built environment,” said AWC President and CEO Robert Glowinski.

Photo by Yassine al Mansouri, courtesy National Building Museum

The Timber Innovation Act (S. 2892 and H.R. 5628) would establish a performance-driven research and development program to advance tall wood building construction in the United States. The House bill also includes language allowing the existing Wood Innovation Grant program to support proposals to use and/or retrofit existing sawmill facilities in areas with high unemployment to produce mass timber materials.

“Of course AWC has been excited about the possibilities of mass timber, but it’s invigorating to see examples in person. We encourage anyone in the D.C. area between now and next May to find out more about tall wood construction by visiting this exhibit – and once you do that, ask your members of Congress to support the Timber Innovation Act.”

Timber City is funded in part by the U.S. Forest Service, the Softwood Lumber Board, and the law firm of Nixon Peabody.