International Mass Timber Conference 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Construction

The 2025 International Mass Timber Conference brought the global mass timber community to Portland—and the energy was undeniable.

With more than 3,100 professionals from 29 countries in attendance, this year’s event proved once again why IMTC is the premier destination for innovation, insight, and connection across the full mass timber supply chain.

The week kicked off on Tuesday, March 25th, with a series of Building Tours. We were proud to host a tour of one of our mass timber projects for the second year in a row. The Willamette tour day provided attendees with a rare, behind-the-scenes look at some of the region’s most innovative uses of mass timber. Highlights of the tour included a visit to Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR, and The Məxiɫp Home in Eugene, OR. The latter, named after the Syilx word for “Cedar,” showcased a blend of cultural significance and contemporary design.

The tour also gave attendees an exclusive look at our 60,000-square-foot plywood storage warehouse. This cutting-edge facility, constructed entirely from Mass Plywood Panels (MPP), offers a glimpse into the future of distribution and warehouse design. Designed to mimic concrete tilt-up construction, the entire structure was completed in just six weeks, showcasing the speed and efficiency of mass timber methods. The warehouse’s 40’x40′ column grid, 4″ tilt-up MPP walls, and 2″ roof sections emphasize the potential of mass timber as both a sustainable and practical engineering solution for commercial construction.

Revolutionizing Architecture with Mass Ply Panels

MPP are gaining significant traction in the architectural world due to their combination of sustainability, durability, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal. In fact, our appearance-grade MPP overlays are crafted to meet the demanding requirements of high-performance and large-scale building projects.

These MPP overlays are specifically designed to enhance visual aesthetics without compromising strength. Available in various grades—Standard MPP, Natural Board Face, Clear Board Face, Edge Grain, and Clear High Density—these panels are ideal for applications where appearance matters, such as interior paneling and architectural finishes.

One standout technique we featured at the conference was Shou Sugi Ban, an ancient Japanese wood-burning technique that preserves wood by charring the surface, making it resistant to moisture, insects, fire, and rot. These overlays, applied to MPP, offer both beauty and resilience, ensuring that the panels remain strong and long-lasting while achieving a visually striking result.

Insights from Industry Leaders

Kyle Freres took part in a two-person panel with William Silva from Swinerton, discussing the efficacy of all-timber warehouse construction. Kyle shared insights into the innovative 60,000-square-foot Plywood Storage Warehouse in Mill City, Oregon, which was entirely constructed using MPP and MPL beams and columns.

The presentation covered the design, cost considerations, and unique challenges of using engineered wood products in large-scale warehouse construction. He also offered attendees valuable lessons on the practical advantages of mass timber, including its potential to streamline construction processes and reduce environmental impact.

Supporting Women in Timber

The Women in Timber Power Hour at IMTC 2025 was another key highlight, offering a platform for women in the timber industry to network, spark meaningful conversations, learn from one another, and build a more sustainable future together.

This event was free for women thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including gold sponsors Skanska and Swinerton; silver sponsors WoodWorks, Timberlab, Metropolis Magazine, and Freres Engineered Wood; and bronze sponsors ROCKWOOL, Mahlum Architects, and Mercer Mass Timber.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Mass Timber

IMTC 2025 underscored the transformative potential of mass timber in construction. From innovative building tours and cutting-edge projects to discussions on sustainability and architectural beauty, it was clear that mass timber is revolutionizing the industry.

As the event highlighted, the future of construction lies in the continued development of mass timber technologies to provide sustainable, efficient, and aesthetically appealing solutions. With support from a wide array of industry leaders and a focus on inclusivity, the timber sector is poised for a bright future, one where innovation and collaboration drive progress in building design and construction.