Description:
Ann Arbor Public Schools is helping lead Michigan’s transition toward healthier, lower-carbon buildings through the adoption of mass timber construction in its new school facilities. As part of the district’s bond-funded building program, new school projects are being designed with a focus on healthy indoor environments, safety, sustainability, and innovative building materials that support both student well-being and long-term climate goals. The use of mass timber—an engineered wood product that stores carbon while enabling high-performance design—represents a major shift in how public buildings can be constructed in Michigan.
Recent updates to building codes and local development policies, alongside broader state adoption of the 2021 Michigan Building Code, are expanding opportunities for mass timber construction and allowing taller, more complex timber structures while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
Key takeaways:
- Why Ann Arbor Public Schools is choosing mass timber for new school facilities — and how it supports sustainability, indoor environmental quality, and community goals.
- How AAPS has used the procurement process to support its mass timber and sustainability goals in these facilities.
- How mass timber design contributes to reduced embodied carbon and healthier built environments in educational settings.
- Practical insights from project teams on implementation, challenges, and lessons learned for future public projects.
Participants will gain insight into the technical, policy, and design considerations shaping mass timber adoption in Michigan and how Ann Arbor’s experience can serve as a model for communities looking to build healthier, safer, and more climate-forward buildings.
This webinar will be valuable for educators and administrators, construction and design professionals, sustainability advocates, and those interested in learning more about the applications of Mass Timber.
Panelists:
- Jason Bing, Director, Capital Programs and Ann Arbor Public Schools, (Owner)
- Kevin Stansbury, Project Design Manager at Gilbane Building Co (Program Manager/Owner’s rep)
- Jeff Winslow, Jeffrey L. Winslow, Associate/Senior Project Manager at Neumann/Smith Architecture (Architect of Record, New Mitchell Elementary School)
- Lindsay Woods, Senior Project Manager at Stantec (Architect of Record, Logan and Thurston)
- Mitch DeLange, Senior Project Manager at Christman (Construction Manager, Logan and Thurston)
Moderator:
Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU, Michigan State University
About this webinar series:
This series of webinars is co-produced by the Michigan Green Building Collaborative and MassTimber@MSU, showcasing key projects across Michigan. In each webinar we explore the origins of each project, their successes and challenges, and how the project teams have continued to advance mass timber initiatives. Each building is unique in its approach and material usage.
In case you missed it, Sandra Lupien, Director of MassTimber@MSU, delivered the keynote address at the MiGBC 2024 Annual Party & Leadership Awards Ceremony. During her address, she provided insights into what mass timber is, highlighted notable projects, and shared guidance on incorporating mass timber into your own projects. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about mass timber. Watch it on our YouTube Channel @MichiganGBC or by clicking the button below: