Mass Timber Construction. Proposal to Construct Sustainable Vertical Building in Zapopan

The following research document investigates mass timber materials and their constructability particularly for the mass timber class located in the San Juan Nuevo Forest in Michoacán, Mexico. Through validation tests, the strength capacity of the timber was obtained. To prove the material aptitude, computational mass timber models for medium-rise buildings were developed completely with wind, seismic, and fire loads.

The overall structure cost was found to be similar to that of a steel building, but with a smaller carbon footprint of only 377 kgCO₂/m². Furthermore, the acceptance criteria from potential occupants of the building was explored as well as increased demand possibilities connected to a sustainable use of the forest on behalf of local communities.