Mass Timber Hybrid Systems: Combining

Structural Materials to Maximize Efficiency

901 East 6th Street Office Building

Presented by: Bart Whatley, AIA

Disclaimer: This presentation was developed by a third party and is not

funded by WoodWorks or the Softwood Lumber Board.
“The Wood Products Council” is a This course is registered with AIA CES
Registered Provider with The American for continuing professional education.
Institute of Architects Continuing As such, it does not include content
Education Systems (AIA/CES), Provider that may be deemed or construed to
#G516. be an approval or endorsement by the
AIA of any material of construction or
Credit(s) earned on completion of this any method or manner of handling,
course will be reported to AIA CES for using, distributing, or dealing in any
AIA members. Certificates of Completion material or product.
for both AIA members and non-AIA
______________________________
members are available upon request.
Questions related to specific materials, methods,
and services will be addressed at the conclusion of
this presentation.
Course Description
Modern timber buildings typically include a combination of wood and other materials, with light
wood framing, steel and concrete utilized where structurally efficient. However, successfully realizing
a hybrid of mass timber and other materials requires an acute understanding of their differences,
from fabrication tolerances to installation techniques, and connection details. In this presentation,
two hybrid projects will be presented to illustrate these key design and construction considerations.
The Condos at Lost Rabbit in Mississippi utilized what is seemingly the best of both worlds—mass
timber floor systems that provide inherent beauty, fire resistance and thin floor structures, paired
with light wood-frame bearing walls that can be used to run MEP services while meeting code
requirements for acoustics and fire resistance when clad with materials such as gypsum. 901 E 6th in
Austin is a unique 5-story project—and the first in Austin to include cross-laminated timber (CLT). By
leveraging the respective capabilities of structural steel framing and CLT floor panels, this 129,444-sf
office building was able to achieve highly-efficient floor plates, 14-ft floor-to-ceiling heights, and large
windows. Hear firsthand from the design and development teams of these projects, as they discuss
their reasons for using mass timber and lessons learned from the hybrid approach.
Learning Objectives
1. Explore lessons learned, preconstruction coordination requirements, and
types of projects that may be suitable for a mass timber and wood-frame
hybrid approach.

2. Discuss construction types and fire-rating considerations associated with the

use of a number of different structural framing materials in hybrid buildings.

3. Highlight the recent use of mass timber in a hybrid steel/timber office

building in Austin.

4. Review detailing techniques for CLT structures that result in cost-effective

solutions that meet code requirements for fire and life safety, structural
performance, and acoustics.
901 East 6th Street Office Building
901 E 6th Street is a unique 5-story office project—and the first commercial structure in
Austin to utilize cross-laminated timber (CLT), a prefabricated mass timber product.
Project context
The building is in Austin, TX on the edge of downtown just east of a highway. It is
part of the Saltillo TOD, a city-initiated transit-oriented development striving for
infill development while maintaining a place for artisans in the area.
Overview
The use of mass timber floor plates and steel
allowed the project to achieve long spans from
core to perimeter, eliminating columns within the
open office floor space.

This presentation will discuss the use of cross

laminated timber, and the lessons learned along
the way—from building official interaction, to
design and detailing strategies for a steel/CLT
hybrid structure, and construction administration.
Building design leadership
1. Architect- TB/DS – THOUGHTBARN / DELINEATE STUDIO LLC, led by partners Bart Whatley AIA,
Robert E Gay, and Lucy Begg AIA.
2. The Owner’s Design Team was comprised of Will Marsh & Bryce Miller of Endeavor, Richard Kooris,
and Dennis McDaniel.
3. Structural Engineering- LEAP! Structures
4. MEP Engineering- Bay & Associates
5. Landscape Architecture- DWG Landscape Architecture
6. Civil- LOC Civil
7. Fire Engineering- Arup
8. Contractor- DCA Construction
9. CLT Panel Manufacturer- Structurlam
Inspiration & design
The design focused on using the materiality seen in turn
of century warehouse buildings in a modern way. The
building is designed to be an artistic statement to
appeal to creative & high-tech tenants.

The building explores new sustainable approaches

utilizing mass timber within the office building typology.
Inspiration & design
The raw wood/steel
interior, reminiscent of
early 20th century
warehouses, is
complimented by an
exterior cladding of
tapered mild steel that
will patina over time.
Materiality
Much like the formation of a tree,
Cross Laminated Timber derives its
strength from layer upon layer of
smaller wood fibers to become a
larger scale structural element. The
wood ceiling above you is the bottom
surface of seven inch thick CLT.
Sustainability
CLT was integral to fulfilling project
goals for innovation, sustainability &
aesthetics. Sustainability of CLT, being
composed of a renewable material
that sequesters carbon, was a draw.
LEED gold rating achieved.
Creativity
This feature wall was created by stacking individual
sections of CLT decking. The undulating screen design
allows viewers to examine the exposed laminations of the
CLT system that are normally hidden from view as a
building material, while appreciating the play of light on
the timber.
Value creation
Leasing broker feedback has been that CLT helped
generate interest, assisted in faster leasing, and
helped support higher lease rates.
Hybrid structure
Evaluation of structural systems.

1. Relied on CLT manufacturer for design coordination.

2. The contractor and structural engineer assisted with

bay size studies for all mass timber and for hybrid
structural systems.

3. Shafts have a different rating than the frame, so steel

braces were used for lateral support.

4. Speed of construction was considered but the main

consideration became bay sizes.
Hybrid structure
Why a hybrid structure?

Steel allowed longer spans for an open floor plan with minimal columns.
Steel can achieve shallower sections for same span.
§ Lower floor-to-floor heights/higher ceilings
§ More space for MEP systems
Hybrid structure
Why Introduce Steel into Timber System?
• Steel can be structurally complementary to timber
and is often used in areas of highly concentrated
forces – connections, braces, columns, trusses
• Steel sometimes needed for demand – long spans,
transfer beams, ductility (seismic)
• Steel can be aesthetically complementary to timber in
connections, braces, trusses
Codes and permit approval
Austin was under the 2012 IBC at time of
permitting and the 2012 code had no
prescriptive provisions for mass timber.
Hybrid construction precluded Type IV
heavy timber construction.
We used calculated fire resistance to the
2015 National Design Specifications for
Wood Construction, as allowed by IBC
Section 722 for up to 1 hour ratings.
Design particulars: Codes and permit approval
78’ tall 5 story Group B building with steel required Type III-A, fully
sprinklered construction.
Type III-A. Non-combustible exterior & interior elements any material. 1
hour primary structural frame, 1 hour floors.
Solution. Fire-resistive material on steel, CLT thickness for 1 hour
performance.
Structural steel was rated with an intumescent coating to allow the steel
to present itself in a more pure form.
1 hr structure & 2 hr shafts dictated a separate structure for shafts. With
challenges getting acceptance of CLT to perform to 1 hr, did not seek to
use CLT for shaft walls.
Design & permitting assistance
US CLT Handbook

Design/Build Contractor & Crosslam Timber Solutions

Woodworks

American Wood Council

Arup Fire Engineering

Structurlam
 Design planning for a prefabricated element
Working with Structurlam, CLT panels were precut and custom
designed for this project.

Manufacturer provided design assistance, and our structural

engineer of record was responsible for both the CLT and steel
frame design.

Steel can be structurally complementary to timber and is often

used in areas of highly concentrated forces – connections,
braces, columns.

BIM/Prefabrication: Steel industry already familiar with 3D

modeling/BIM/advanced shop fabrication. Easy to marry up CLT
prefabrication benefits with steel.
Design planning for CLT
Manufacturer offered a variety of factory finish options.
• 5 ply CLT floor panels used. SPF with DF exposed
layer.
• Selected planed & sanded panels without a sealer.
• Panels sealed in the field.

Panels were delivered for construction sequence.

With a tight urban site & the need to sequence wood
panels with steel erection, we used an off-site staging
yard for CLT panels.
Design planning for CLT
CLT manufacturer interaction throughout
design and construction phases.

GC hired manufacturer-recommended timber

sub-contractor to install CLT.

Non-timber subcontractor interaction with

the CLT panels showed that some field work
could have been done in the factory for
better quality control. Plumbers don’t
necessarily make clean cuts!
Connections

Wood to steel beams: Beams were pre-punched so

that CLT could be anchored to the steel with a
screw.

Wood to wood: A surface spline was used to

connect wood panels. The wood panels were pre-
cut to accept the spline.

Wood panels to columns: Sheet metal to close CLT

cut outs at continuous columns and prevent topping
slab pour from leaking through.
Acoustics
A tenant will not likely ask about
acoustics of floor assemblies unless the
building is a unique structure.
Lack of testing data for the designed floor
assembly.

Acoustic engineer modeled the assembly

to estimate STC & IIC ratings. Estimated
rating for 3” concrete on 1/4” acoustic
mat, 7” CLT- 55 STC, 45 IIC versus 52/29
with just 5” concrete slab.
Details
Planning utility routing: Design interactions between
Architect, MEP Engineer & material suppliers.
Details
Planning utility routing.
Details
Planning utility routing.
Lessons learned
BIM/Prefabrication: Steel industry already familiar with
3D modeling/BIM/advanced shop fabrication. Easy to
marry up CLT prefabrication benefits with steel.

Nailer: Nailer can provide convenience for attaching

timber decking elements and conduit pass-thru.

Fire Rating: If intent is to leave steel exposed, target an

un-protected (zero-hour) construction type.
Lessons learned
Flexibility for tenants: It is hard to anticipate what tenants will do.

Make allowances for tenant utility routing & provide guidelines.

Lessons learned
Capitalize on wood as a natural material for occupant comfort.

The girder and joist directions were aligned such that the most wood could be
seen when entering a floor from the elevator or stairs.
Lessons learned
Tolerances: Timber tolerances can be very exact. Coordination with other systems require
adjustability. Recommend certain connections be shop fitted by timber supplier prior to
delivery.

Bent steel plate edging overlapping the bottom of CLT panels was used where panel edges
aligned with the steel frame.
Lessons learned
Moisture Effects: Wood shrink/swell with moisture change - steel does not. Provide expansion
joints and detail for field adjustability. Develop a moisture management plan.

Thermal Effects: Steel expands/contracts with temperature change – wood does not. Provide
expansion joints and detail for field adjustability.
Lessons learned
Installation & weather protection.
Lessons learned
Beam Camber: Can create fit-up and connection issues – particularly with wider panels. Can
be a challenge with glulam beams as well.

Recommendations: Avoid steel camber if feasible. Recommend ¾” maximum (steel industry

minimum). Do not fully fasten spline until all DL is on beam.
Lessons learned
Roof drains.

Tieback anchors.
Conclusion
Efficiency was realized with cross-laminated
timber panels in that besides structure, they
were a finish material and provided fire rating.

Next time would lean on more prefabrication

process for greater quality and speed in
construction.
Community & art
The works of art on the back wall of each elevator
are three distinct relief prints created from wood
cuts by Connecticut artist Bryan Nash Gill that
artistically complement the foundational focus on
wood in this building.

“I found that the inside of things

was more beautiful and complex
than what was visible from the
outside… You’ll never know what
you’re missing if you don’t find
some way to get inside and look.”
© Bryan Nash Gill, Artist
QUESTIONS?

This concludes The American Institute of

Architects Continuing Education Systems Course

Bart Whatley, AIA

TB/DS – Delineate Studio
[email protected]