Design Building Archives | Building and Construction Technology

Fall 2026 BCT Lecture Series Announced

September 10, 2026September 10, 2026 by Toby Barnes Comment Closed

The series begins on September 21 with Edward Godek, Director of Marketing at Rex Lumber Company, presenting From UMass to the Hardwood Industry: Markets, Materials, and a 30-Year Journey. Drawing on three decades of experience, Godek will discuss the evolution of hardwood markets and the role of wood products in today's industry. On October 19, Charles D. Myers, Vice President of Construction at HYM Investment Group, will present Construction Management: The Ultimate Team Sport, highlighting the collaborative nature of managing large-scale construction projects. The November 2 lecture will feature Tolya Stonorov, author and professor of architecture at Norwich University, who will explore Design Build: A Framework for Material Craft & Community Engagement. Her presentation will examine how design-build approaches can strengthen connections between construction, craftsmanship, and community impact. The series concludes on November 23 with Ted Mendoza, Capital Project Manager at the University of Massachusetts, presenting Decarbonizing UMass: A Facilities-Based Perspective. Mendoza will discuss campus efforts to address sustainability and reduce carbon emissions through facilities planning and...

Clouston, Schreyer Co-Author Definitive Guide on Mass Timber Materials, Design and Construction

February 6, 2026February 5, 2026 by Alexander Schreyer Comment Closed

Peggi L. Clouston and Alexander C. Schreyer, professors in the Building and Construction Technology program at UMass Amherst and experts in wood engineering, have written a comprehensive new book, “Mass Timber: Materials, Design, and Construction,” an extensive 576-page volume that serves as a one-stop resource for the rapidly evolving field of mass timber construction. Published by John Wiley & Sons, the book arrives at a critical time as the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry increasingly turns to sustainable wood products to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment. Clouston and Schreyer’s book bridges the gap between traditional timber knowledge and modern engineering, covering a wide array of topics essential for students and professionals alike, including: Sustainability: Exploration of the climate-related benefits of wood and forest health Material Science: In-depth technical details on Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glulam, and structural composite lumber Practical Design: Guidance on building codes, gravity and lateral loads, and complex connection detailing Construction Excellence: Insights into procurement, risk management, and on-site hoisting and storage. The book also...

Spring 2026 BCT Lecture Series Announced

February 2, 2026February 18, 2026 by Alexander Schreyer Comment Closed

The start of a new semester brings with it a new series of public lectures. We are happy to announce the four speakers mentioned below, who will present on various current topics in the built environment as part of our Spring 2026 BCT Lecture Series. All lectures are open to the public and are held on Mondays from 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm in the Olver Design Building Room 170. Attendees can get continuing education credits (AIA/USGBC). Zoom options will be available, too. Want to get notified when these are? Sign up for our email list. Speakers: Consigli Construction: Applied Construction Fundamentals Scott Drumm, Project Manager, Thomas Duszlak, Senior Project Superintendent02.09.26 | 4:00-5:15pm | John W. Olver Design Building Room 170 CORA Structural: Curiosity, Collaboration, & Carbon-Conscious Thinking Michael Gryniuk. P.E., Founder and Principal of CORA Structural04.06.26 | 4:00-5:15pm | John W. Olver Design Building Room 170 Construction Challenges and Solutions in Polar Environments David Malpas, Construction Manager, Antarctic Support Contract03.30.26 | 4:00-5:15pm | John W. Olver Design Building Room 170 Tools of the Trade for Building...

Applications Open for Timber Faculty Workshop

May 9, 2023 by Alexander Schreyer Comment Closed

UMass Building and Construction Technology Program and Boston architecture firm Leers Weinzapfel Associates are this summer hosting a workshop for architecture faculty that provides a thorough background on timber as a building material. See below for more information: TIMBER FACULTY WORKSHOP APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN! Monday, June 26th - Wednesday, June 28th Apply Here Applications are due May 26th, 11:59pm eastern time. Selected attendees will be notified by June 1st Venue: John W. Olver Design Building, University of Massachusetts Amherst Led by: Leers Weinzapfel Associates with support from Building and Construction Technology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst Venue Host: Department of Architecture and Building and Construction Technology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst Led by Tom S. Chung FAIA, Principal Leers Weinzapfel Associates and Professor of Practice in Architecture at Auburn University and Dr. Peggi Clouston, Professor of Wood Mechanics and Timber Engineering, we welcome Tenure-track faculty at accredited Architecture schools throughout the US to apply for an intensive 3-day workshop geared towards equipping faculty interested in teaching Mass Timber design. Workshop will...

In Memoriam: John W. Olver

March 9, 2023March 7, 2023 by Alexander Schreyer Comment Closed

The John W. Olver Design Building - BCT's home on the Amherst campus - is not just another campus building. The beauty and warmth of the timber structure, and its environmental footprint that treads lightly, represents a visionary approach to contemporary building design in that it integrally respects the responsibility we have towards the earth we live on. None of this would have been possible without the support and environmental consciousness of Congressman John Olver, who was the prime reason that the Olver Design Building was built with Mass Timber, the only naturally renewable building material. John attended a presentation by Peggi Clouston in 2014 about Mass Timber which led to several more meetings and ultimately a meeting of the minds where our technical background combined with John’s long term efforts to support forest health, sustainable construction, and rural economies. Our conversations ultimately led to the idea of creating a timber demonstration structure which would support the UMass Amherst climate action plan and...