Each year, with the help of several generous supporters, Mississippi Forestry Foundation sponsors a Mass Timber Studio for architecture students at Mississippi State University. With an over-abundance of timber in Mississippi, mass timber, such as cross laminated timber (CLT), offers exciting new market possibilities for the state. Exposing the students to mass timber as a building material is a key step forward toward what many people hope will be the future of building in the United States.

MFF first has contact with MSU architecture students during their second year when MFA members take students to tour a sawmill, a Tree Farm, and the MSU Department of Sustainable Bioproducts. Then, during their fourth year, students take part in the Mass Timber Studio.

Since the Mass Timber Studio began, students have been tasked with designing a variety of mass timber buildings for their project including a headquarters building for MFA, a black box theater, a house of worship, and a multi-use residential and commercial building.

An exciting part of the Mass Timber Studio is that MFA staff and members have the opportunity to speak to the class several times throughout the year and have the opportunity to view and judge the students' final designs.

MFF sees great value in the partnership with the MSU School of Architecture and looks forward to seeing what each future group of students designs for their Mass Timber Studio projects.

2021 Mass Timber Studio Winners

Students were tasked with designing a multi-use building in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, that included residential housing units, commercial office space, an event bar and lounge, a store front, and several additional spaces such as an art gallery or theater.

First Place Winner: Drew Maxon
Drew was awarded first place for his project titled "The Art Hub." Drew designed a curved wall constructed out of mass timber for the front of his building. He milled the boards to an 88-degree angle and nailed them together to create a nail laminated timber product prototype.


Second Place Winner: Chester Mitchell
Chester was awarded second place for his project titled "The Foundation." Chester designed a louver or screen system that uses mass timber as a way to draw attention to the building.


Third Place Winner: Victoria Harrington
Victoria was awarded third place for her project focusing on community. Victoria's building celebrated mass timber construction by selecting materials that exemplified the beauty and sustainable nature of wood.