SBWI Attends Michigan Mass Timber Update
Students learn about a mass timber building in progress.
Last week, students and staff from the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute traveled to Kalamazoo for the Michigan Mass Timber Update, a one-day regional conference bringing together architects, engineers, foresters, builders, and educators who are shaping the future of mass timber in Michigan.
For our students, it was an encouraging glimpse into a fast-growing field complete with new industry connections, career insights, and a behind-the-scenes tour of one of the state’s newest mass timber projects, the Kalamazoo Country Club renovation. The renovation is part of a dramatic expansion of the Club, which includes a new clubhouse, performance center, and multiple hybrid mass-timber/steel buildings.
Building Momentum in Michigan
The conference highlighted just how quickly Michigan’s mass timber community is expanding. With research, new construction projects, and workforce development happening simultaneously, this space is ready for new talent and our students felt that firsthand.
One of the most energizing voices at the event was Sandra Lupien, Director of Mass Timber at Michigan State University, who talked to us about how she was feeling after the conference,
“I think the word is full. Full of hope and inspiration and excitement. We’re getting a lot done. And there’s a ton of Michigan mass timber momentum.”
“We need to build buildings. And building buildings with wood is a really exciting way to build… If you’re interested in building with mass timber, you’re going to have a lot of opportunity in the future. So get ahead of the curve and make sure you’re trained in how to do this.”
Have you read about our curriculum development collaboration with MSU?
New People, New Energy
Patrick Mohney, Senior Lands Program Manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) captured the sense of growth in the field:
“I am enthusiastic and optimistic. I always love coming to these every year… I see a lot of unfamiliar faces, which means there are new people. And it’s exciting to see new people take an interest, learn new things, and ask new questions.”
“This is an industry that’s poised to take off… It’s always exciting to get in on something early, and this is about as early as you can get.”
His perspective bridges forestry and construction, showing how mass timber connects sustainable forest management to the built environment in a meaningful, forward-looking way. In addition to hearing from leaders in the industry, our students had the chance to tour the Kalamazoo Country Club project. Seeing engineered wood systems up close — and meeting the teams designing and installing them — gave our students a tangible sense of the career paths and the opportunity ahead.
Watch our short interviews with Sandra and Patrick.