Iowa Office Building the First to be Constructed with Dowel-Laminated Timber

An office building in Des Moines, Iowa will be the first multi-story commercial building in the United States constructed dowel-laminated timber.

According to reports, mass timber is becoming increasingly common in commercial construction due to its ease of use and environmental friendliness. However, systems like the one used to construct the East Village Building in Iowa have raised questions about safety. The wood panels used in the construction are pressed together with dowels and not secured by fasteners or nails.

Mass timber is created by using several small planks to create larger pieces. Reports indicate there are as many as 200 mass timber buildings in the United States, but the East Village will be the first to use the dowel-laminated wood.