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Managing Structural Complexity in a Mass Timber System

The mass timber structure at Northeastern University’s Portland Campus, Home to the Roux Institute, Alfond Center required an advanced level of structural coordination beyond a conventional building layout. Its radiused footprint and prominent exterior cantilever make each floor unique, with no two structural members alike. The mass timber frame ties into the adjacent high-rise structural steel building, requiring precision at every connection point. Through a design-assist process and close collaboration with architectural, structural and M/E/P engineering teams, building systems were coordinated to eliminate on-site clashes and ensure efficient, high-quality constructability at the waterfront project site.