#USA #Fayetteville #Mercer Mass Timber #Anthony Timberlands #Chain-of-Custody

Mercer Mass Timber Sets New Standards at the University of Arkansas

Mercer Mass Timber (MMT), a leader in sustainable timber building solutions and a subsidiary of Mercer International Inc., recently celebrated a significant achievement at the newly established Anthony Timberlands Center at the University of Arkansas. This landmark facility, which spans 45,000 square feet and consists of four stories, is designed to serve as an innovative hub focusing on timber design and research.

The center showcases the potential for using locally sourced, sustainably certified timber to revolutionize construction and education environments. For this project, Mercer Mass Timber contributed 1,079 m³ of Southern Yellow Pine cross-laminated timber (CLT), all manufactured at its nearby Conway, Arkansas facility. By sourcing timber from the region, the initiative not only boosts the local economy but also supports Arkansas's working forests and creates approximately 52 local jobs.

Nick Milestone, Chief Operating Officer at Mercer Mass Timber, expressed pride in the center's construction, stating, "Our contribution reflects the immense potential of regionally sourced mass timber. Not only are we supporting sustainability, but we're also aligning with initiatives that have a strong local impact. The Anthony Timberlands Center epitomizes a future where material choices and design intent harmoniously converge to create innovative architecture."

Notably, this project marks a milestone for Mercer Mass Timber as it is their first chain-of-custody-certified endeavor. With 30% of the timber sourced being SFI-certified under Chain-of-Custody standards, the balance is sustainably harvested. This certification reinforces MMT's commitment to transparency, traceability, and responsible forestry practices, ensuring that sustainability claims are verifiable from forest to final setup.

In addition, the center is pursuing LEED Gold certification and incorporates elements such as biophilic design, daylighting strategies, and ecological landscaping, thereby connecting the campus with the surrounding Ozark landscape. These architectural choices not only enhance the building’s aesthetics but also promote an environmentally friendly footprint.

The effectiveness of the project relied on a collaborative design process, which saw early design-assist strategies implemented. Ricardo Brites, Director of Engineering at Mercer Mass Timber, highlighted the importance of this approach, stating, "By collaborating closely with architects and engineers, we tailored the CLT system for optimal construction performance and efficiency. The Anthony Timberlands Center is a pioneering example of how local timber and advanced fabrication techniques can foster innovation while delivering verifiable sustainability."

This project stands as a testament to Mercer Mass Timber’s ambitious vision for the future of timber design in North America. With their innovative materials, MMT is carving a path towards greener construction, contributing to the development of vibrant communities committed to sustainability.

About Mercer Mass Timber

Mercer Mass Timber is at the forefront of redefining sustainable construction through the use of innovative, bio-based building materials. Employing cutting-edge technology, skilled craftsmanship, and a staunch commitment to environmental responsibility, MMT aims to create stunning, low-carbon structures. Collaborating with builders, developers, and designers, Mercer Mass Timber is focused on shaping a more sustainable future.

About Mercer International

Mercer International Inc. operates globally in the forest products sector, with facilities in Germany, the USA, and Canada. Their production capacity includes 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of CLT, and more. For detailed information about the company, please visit Mercer International.