Study Architecture 
ProPEL 2025
Mass Timber Pedagogy
Modularity & Prefab
Modularity & Prefab
Whether or not to employ the use of modular mass timber construction methods is often a highly nuanced decision for the design team and it is dependent upon a variety of internal and external project factors. These teaching and learning resources are designed to help students navigate this complexity in design studios and research-based courses by presenting a wide range of scholarly resources to support student learning about mass timber modular systems and by clarifying common modular design and construction decision making processes. The literature reviews include resources that can help scaffold student learning from basic to advanced knowledge of modular and prefabricated mass timber systems, and the decision-making flowchart for students provides a step-by-step guide for students in design studio settings who are considering whether or not a modular approach–or what type of modular approach–is suitable for their studio project.
This flowchart is intended to support student design decision-making in architecture studio courses. Various internal and external project factors impact whether modular mass timber design approaches should be pursued in a given project and what degree of factory versus on-site assembly is relevant. This flowchart can help guide student thinking relative to such project factors. It is recommended that the flowchart be paired with the following resources also provided in this module: Target Courses: Studio; Integrative Studio Delivery Method: Students use the guide while designing to help scaffold decision making. |
This multi-page resource will highlight key publications for modular/ volumetric mass timber. Through brief analyses, the document will indicate how the publications are different from one another and what value they hold for various aspects of the design process. Target Courses: Studio; Integrative Studio; Research-focused courses Delivery Method: Document provided directly to students to expedite research. |
This multi-page resource guide will highlight key mass timber publications relative to prefabrication. Through brief analyses, the document will indicate how the publications are different from one another and what value they hold for various aspects of the design process. Target Courses: Studio; Integrative Studio; Research-focused courses Delivery Method: Document provided directly to students to expedite research. |
Partners
Are you interested in learning more about the Mass Timber curriculum?
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Edwin Hernández-Ventura
Awards and Competitions Manager
ehernandez@acsa-arch.org
202-785-2324
Eric Wayne Ellis
Senior Director of Operations and Programs
eellis@acsa-arch.org
202-785-2324
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