Building Materials

Program Overview

Our staff have been serving wood products companies across the region for more than 30 years. We collaborate closely with industrial and entrepreneurial partners and associations to develop and evaluate new products and processes, demonstrate added-value reuse and repurposing of wood-based products, and assist clients with material and product testing.

Program Goals

As a leader in building materials research, development and deployment, our goal is to develop know-how with tangible, real-world applications.  We achieve this by leading innovation with research to develop new manufacturing processes and products, and by providing both market research and market development services.  Our expertise is in the following areas:

1. Market-Oriented Technology Development
2. Adaptive Material Reuse
3. Material and Product Testing

Capabilities and Expertise

• Evaluating structural, mechanical, and physical properties of wood and natural fiber-based materials, as well as a range of composites
• New product and material ideation and prototyping
• Wood-to-wood connection technology
• Evaluating structural, mechanical, and physical properties of wood and natural fiber-based materials, as well as a range of composites
• New product and material ideation and prototyping
• Value-added reuse of deconstructed building materials

Recent Projects and Partners

1. Better Futures Building Reuse
2. Scrimber
3. High-performing building envelopes
4. Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association
5. Maple Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association