The Spire

Kaitlyn Richards ‘29

Chief News Editor

The College of the Holy Cross was recently selected to participate in the inaugural MASS Timber Assembly cohort. The College received an award of $40,000 from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to evaluate the potential use of mass timber in a new residence hall on campus.

MassCEC announced the selected projects on Oct. 22. The year-long program provides each participating team with $40,000 in funding, technical assistance, project-specific cost and scheduling analyses, and opportunities to collaborate with other teams pursuing mass timber construction across Massachusetts.

According to the announcement, Holy Cross’s project will examine the use of cross-laminated timber, structural panels formed by bonding layers of lumber together, in a new residence hall. The college also plans to investigate incorporating salvaged lumber from a former local mill into its use of cross-laminated timber. The announcement does not identify the mill or specify how much lumber could be incorporated into the residence hall.

The MASS Timber Assembly program intends to help participating schools evaluate the feasibility of mass timber construction as well as address considerations such as material sourcing, project costs, design and construction schedules. The program will provide participants with funding and technical resources to assess whether mass timber is suitable for their respective projects. Mass timber is engineered wood products, including large panels, beams, and columns, that can be used in building construction as alternatives to conventional materials such as concrete and steel.

The program aims to help participating schools evaluate the feasibility of mass timber construction by examining material sourcing, project costs, design, and construction schedules. MassCEC CEO Ben Downing emphasized the importance of providing building teams with resources to explore the material’s potential.

“We can continue to look for ways to build our economy while reducing costs and pollution; mass timber is a great way to do that. Mass timber is no longer just an emerging material. It’s a real option for building projects in Massachusetts,” said Mass Clean Energy Center CEO Ben Downing. “MASS Timber Assembly gives building teams the funding, expertise, and industry connections to test what works in the real world and share those lessons with the broader building community.”

MassCEC cited the environmental impact of construction materials as one reason for expanding the use of mass timber. According to the agency, buildings account for approximately 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions when both operational and embodied carbon are considered. Operational carbon refers to emissions associated with a building’s energy use, including heating and cooling. Embodied carbon refers to emissions generated through the extraction, manufacturing, and transportation of materials, as well as the construction process.

In its announcement, MassCEC stated that embodied carbon is largely determined when a building is completed, unlike operational emissions, which can be reduced through upgrades over time. The agency also noted that mass timber can store carbon for the life of a building.

MassCEC also highlighted the potential for mass timber to support the state’s environmental goals by reducing the impact of construction materials. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper addressed the importance of material selection in building projects.

“Choosing what we build with matters, and mass timber allows us to make greater use of a material that grows right here in Massachusetts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper in the announcement.

The Holy Cross project is one of eight sites selected for the inaugural cohort. Other participating projects include affordable housing developments in Cambridge and Charlestown, an elementary school in Dighton, a high school in Milford, and school and housing developments in Salem. These projects will examine different applications of mass timber, including cross-laminated floors, prefabricated wall panels, and hybrid construction systems.

State officials also expressed support for the program’s potential economic and environmental benefits. State Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, emphasized the connection between sustainable construction and the state’s regional economy.

“Massachusetts has always been a place that builds what comes next, building our schools and homes out of materials that are better for the environment and good for our regional economy,” said State Representative Richard Haggerty (D-Woburn), Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing. “Mass timber is a smart, sustainable way to build, and it keeps dollars and jobs here at home.”

The program will conclude with a public showcase and a collection of case studies documenting the participating projects and their findings. MassCEC expects the results to help expand knowledge of mass timber construction across Massachusetts.

Holy Cross’s selection does not confirm that mass timber will be used in the final residence hall design. The year-long program will instead provide the project team with funding and technical assistance to evaluate the material’s feasibility, including its potential costs, sourcing, and construction requirements.