Building Innovation Center

Creating a Sustainable Future

  • Transforming underutilized Material

    Coastal Western Hemlock, a wood species traditionally underutilized, is now being transformed through the CRTC's thermal technology into high-value products across various industries, while also generating employment opportunities for the Makah Tribe.

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  • ACLT Panels

    Making it’s way into the world of structural material technology, Advanced Cross-Laminated Timber (ACLT), combined with our state-of-the-art Thermal Modification process, is pioneering new opportunities for resilient, Eco-friendly, cost effective building methods and alternative housing.

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  • BOLEH

    The CRTC has teamed up with the Makah Tribe to introduce the BOLEH (Built On Lot Engineered Home), a groundbreaking sustainable housing initiative. This project marks the first commercial order for BOLEH homes, built using thermally modified coastal western hemlock sourced from the Makah Tribe’s sawmill. The collaboration promises to deliver eco-friendly, affordable homes while creating new economic opportunities and workforce training for the Tribe.

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"It all began with a need. With the Makah tribe's housing crisis growing, there was an urgent need for cost-effective resources. However, with 80% of their forest consisting of Hemlock, which on its own is not structurally ideal for building, the tribe found themselves in a bind.

That’s when the CRTC began exploring ways to help the Makah get more value from the timber while using it to create homes. The idea of the sawmill emerged. The sawmill would process the Hemlock timber and, through thermal modification, enhance the wood for use in producing Advanced Cross-Laminated Timber (ACLT) panels. ACLT panels are strong, sustainable, and suitable for building housing.

This collaboration promises to deliver eco-friendly, affordable homes while creating new economic opportunities and workforce training for the tribe."

Where It All Began

CROSS LAMINATED TIMBER

  • The process of cross lamination involves layering panels of wood in alternating directions to create a stronger, more durable structure. Our Cross Laminated Timber is constructed with three layers of wood, resulting in panels that are approximately 3 inches thick. This method helps distribute stress more evenly across the surface, reducing the likelihood of weak points or splits and building dimensional stability.

  • After partnering with the Makah Tribe and researching ways to enhance the quality of Coastal Western Hemlock, cross lamination proved to be an effective solution. By layering the hemlock in alternating directions, the process significantly improved its structural stability, strength, and resistance to warping. This innovation not only elevated the performance of a locally abundant wood species but also created opportunities for sustainable product development that supports tribal enterprise, reduces waste, and highlights the value of regional natural resources.