The three-day event titled “The Sustainable Future of CLT in the South: Grow. Design. Build.” will be held October 7 to 9 and will feature experts in forestry, building science, engineering, and architecture and design who will share the latest research, trends, and developments impacting the advancement of CLT in the South.
CLT is a prefabricated wood panel made from wood stacked and glued crosswise in alternating directions to create pressed layers. CLT has become a burgeoning industry in the southern United States due to the abundant presence of southern pine and other softwoods sourced within the region for this sustainable material.
“The unique engineering of CLT gives the panel exceptional strength and strong fire protection while remaining lighter and creating less waste during installation than conventional alternatives, such as concrete and steel,” said Adam Maggard, Alabama Extension Specialist and the Harry E. Murphy Associate Professor, who is the lead conference planner. “Because of its relative structural strength, appearance, ability to sequester carbon, and numerous other benefits, the use of CLT for residential and commercial construction is growing and benefits developers, contractors, architects, engineers, foresters, and landowners throughout the region.”
The CLT conference will be the second to be hosted by Auburn University and will be presented in collaboration with the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering as part of Auburn’s Mass Timber Collaborative, a multidisciplinary initiative created to advance research, education, and outreach in mass timber design and construction.
| Your local Bobcat dealer |
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| Pinnacle Central Co Inc |
Following a design and theme centered on the CLT supply chain, conference sessions will explore diverse topics, including wood quality needs, silviculture, the wood products sector, mass timber markets and economies, economic development, managing risks, and insurability of mass timber projects. Presenters will also discuss the structural design, construction, performance, and operation of CLT buildings and the economics and carbon accounting of mass timber projects.
“We are proud to offer professionals within our region this exceptional opportunity to stay abreast of advancements in the dynamic realm of CLT and sustainable mass timber products,” said Janaki Alavalapati, the Emmett F. Thompson Dean of the College of Forestry, Wildlife, and Environment. “Auburn University is primed to be in the forefront of this emerging field-leading innovation within our colleges and alongside industry experts with backgrounds in forestry, building science, engineering, architecture, design, and sustainable business.”
Early bird discounts on conference registration are available and registration is currently open with multiple packages available to include full attendance or partial dates. Businesses interested in becoming a sponsor or exhibitor of the conference may also select from multiple levels or opt to become premier sponsors of keynote sessions, receptions, and/or meals.
A complete roster of speakers, session tracks, and tour opportunities showcasing local CLT-constructed buildings will be announced in July and will cater to the unique needs of multiple audiences, including foresters, forest landowners, architects, contractors, CLT researchers, students, and industry professionals.
Discounted accommodations will be available at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center through August. More information about registration, sponsorship, and exhibition opportunities is available on the conference website.
