Building Innovation Center
Creating a Sustainable Future
Creating a Sustainable Future
At the CRTC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in beautiful Port Angeles, Washington, we’re passionate about collaborating with people and organizations to find creative solutions to the challenges our communities face, both near and far. With our strong R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we are able to tackle a wide variety of problems. Together with our partners, we’ve developed over 40 products that help reduce waste, create jobs in underserved areas, and address important social and environmental issues.
Where It All Began
"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."
Environmental Care, Economic Growth, Community Development.
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Coastal Western Hemlock
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
Advanced Cross-Laminated Timber (ACLT) is an engineered wood product created by stacking and gluing layers of wood at perpendicular angles, with the added benefit of thermal modification. This process enhances the wood's durability, stability, and resistance to moisture, decay, and pests. Known for its sustainability, strength, and thermal efficiency, ACLT offers a modern, eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials. The thermal modification also improves the wood's dimensional stability and extends its lifespan, making it an ideal choice for long-term construction. Its prefabrication allows for faster construction, while the natural wood finish adds aesthetic appeal to any structure. ACLT combines the advantages of both CLT and thermal modification to provide a superior, sustainable building material.
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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.
