Framework, Tallest Mass Timber Project in the U.S., Is On Hold

The tallest mass-timber building development in the U.S. is "on hold for the foreseeable future," according to the developer, named project^. The 12-story mixed-use building, known as Framework, has been under development in Portland, Ore., since 2014. Construction was first delayed a year ago and currently is postponed because of changing market conditions, which have had a negative impact on the development's bottom line. These include inflation, escalating construction costs and fluctuations in the tax credit market, says the developer.

Framework received a $1.5-million U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize for a two-year research, testing and permitting phase related to the structural, fire and acoustical performance of the mass-timber design. Timber buildings taller than four or five stories are not currently permitted under U.S. building codes, except through a performance-based design approach. Research results supported permit approval for the 148-ft-tall project, granted last year by the state and city.

Continuing Efforts

"Despite the news, we are continuing our efforts with mass timber," says Thomas Robinson, founding principal of LEVER Architecture. The firm is designing other mass-timber structures, but none as tall as Framework.

The building team also includes Walsh Construction Co., KPFF Consulting Engineers, ARUP, PAE Consulting Engineers, 2.ink Studio and StructureCraft Builders Inc.

Nadine M. Post, ENR's editor-at-large for buildings, is an award-winning journalist with 45 years of experience covering trends, issues, innovations, controversies and challenging projects. Post has written about many industry giants, including 10 ENR Award of Excellence winners. And she has covered disasters, failures and attacks, including the 1993 bombing and the 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center. Project stories include the redevelopment of the World Trade Center; the 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa; Los Angeles’ Disney Concert Hall; and Seattle's Bullitt Center and Rainier Square Tower. In 1985, Post wrote McGraw-Hill's book Restoring the Statue of Liberty (1986) for the restoration’s architects—Richard S. Hayden and Thierry W. Despont.

Post a comment to this article

60% of workers are exposed to heights greater than 5 ft daily, and workers' compensation from injury is more than $7B - it's time for construction leaders to take measures to reduce risk and create a safer work environment. We'll explore how technology can improve construction site safety and help prevent accidents before they happen.