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Step into a building where the structure itself tells a story – a story of innovation, collaboration, and a deep connection to the very resources it serves. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Newberry Customer Service Center & Storage Facility in Newberry, Michigan, is more than just a new government building; it's a project showcasing the power of mass timber, particularly when sourced from local forests. As professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction, you're likely witnessing the rise of mass timber, but this project offers a unique look at how state agencies, universities, and private industry can work together to push boundaries and support regional industries.
George H. Berghorn, PhD, LEED AP, CGP, the Research Director, MassTimber@MSU, Michigan State University, observed that MSU's STEM building makes people want to interact with the material. Beyond the tangible benefits, mass timber is made from a renewable resource and has a lower carbon footprint compared to many conventional materials.
The Newberry Customer Service Center project is a prime example of these benefits in action. This facility spans 10,000 square feet and stands one story tall. Its building system primarily uses mass timber, incorporating columns, beams, CLT roof panels, and CLT wall panels. Categorized under Construction Type V-B and serving as a Government building, its design deliberately highlights the structural wood components.
What truly sets this project apart is its commitment to using locally sourced materials. This is the first building in Michigan constructed with mass timber panels made from Michigan red pine.
Brenda Haskill with the Department of Natural Resources emphasized that using this locally sourced mass timber was a deliberate choice to represent the importance of the wood industry in the state. Making this happen required significant coordination.
Matt Kantner, Associate Principal at EQUILIBRIUM, said they were involved from the beginning to the end as mass timber advisors and later handled the final mass timber connection designs. He said, "Working with all the parties involved to make Michigan Red Pine happen, which was a first, was really cool. Hats off to Russ Vaagen and his team Vaagen Timbers for being the ‘lynchpin’ in this pioneering effort.”
Adhering to the State of Michigan’s domestic wood utilization mandates, Walbridge and its partners sought to source suitable Michigan softwood. While Michigan primarily boasts hardwood forests (75%), the remaining 25% of softwood forests presented a viable option for meeting the ANSI standards for product qualification and quality assurance. Michigan Red Pine emerged as a potential candidate but processing it into cross-laminated timber (CLT) panel products for walls and roofs presented a unique challenge. There are no mass timber plants in Michigan to process Michigan Red Pine for CLT panel applications. Determined, Walbridge collaborated with Vaagen Timbers in Colville, Washington to obtain the necessary ANSI certification and developed a customized quality control process, ensuring compliance with stringent ANSI standards. This groundbreaking initiative marked the first-ever use of Michigan Red Pine for mass timber construction in the state, emphasizing both Walbridge’s and the DNR’s efforts to contribute to more sustainable building initiatives.
Making this building, and the use of Michigan Red Pine, a reality involved unique challenges in coordinating all the involved parties, precisely because it was a first. Overcoming these financial, logistical, and educational challenges required perseverance and strong partnerships.
The State of Michigan is the Developer and Owner, with the DNR taking the lead. They enlisted a skilled team, including Lord Aeck Sargent Planning & Design, along with architects Anna Victoria Anderson and Ben Ridderbos. Walbridge served as the Construction Manager, SDI Structures as the Structural Engineer of Record (SEOR), with Pete Heeringa noted as the specific SEOR. EQUILIBRIUM provided engineering consulting, with Matt Kantner playing a key role. Vaagen Timbers was responsible for the Mass Timber Structure and CLT Panels, while Clark Contracting Services, including Larry Cowper, was the Installing Contractor. OHM Advisors handled the Civil Engineering.
The project also benefited from academic partnerships; DNR worked with Michigan State University, leveraging their experience (like the mass timber STEM building) and tapping into their research capabilities. Furthermore, DNR collaborated with Michigan Technological University (MTU) and their new hardwood mass timber institute, which will be developing some hardwood mass timber pieces.
“It was a frequent occurrence for the construction project team to witness someone driving by the site and making a U-turn to take pictures and ask for a tour of the new facility to understand the story behind the new mass timber structure. It was and continues to be a great opportunity to educate Michiganders about mass timber and its benefits to the built environment.” - Jason Kuckuk, Assistant Project Manager, Walbridge
The sense of accomplishment and pride in the finished product is palpable. For Shannon Lott, her favorite aspect was "The Grand Opening!". She shared that "The building turned out better than I ever imagined and I got to celebrate with all the partners and staff!".
Matt Kantner, PE, SE reiterated that his personal favorite aspect was also tied to overcoming the challenge of using local wood: "Working with all the parties involved to make Michigan Red Pine happen, which was a first, was really cool".
The Newberry project serves as an example of Michigan's broader ambitions in the mass timber space. The state is actively working to become a leader in this area. It views mass timber production not only as a key economic development opportunity, particularly vital for rural forested communities, but also as a critical tool in achieving its goal of net-zero carbon by 2050, as outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
Patrick Mohney, Managing Director of DNR’s Office of Public Lands, emphasized that mass timber offers a "unique opportunity to benefit Michiganders in cities, suburbs, and rural communities in both peninsulas". The Newberry Customer Service Center, as one of the earliest examples of a state-led mass timber project using local wood, is a significant step in this strategic direction.
Sandra Lupien, Director, MassTimber@MSU, Michigan State University, said “The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Community Services Building is such an inspiring example of mass timber leadership by a state agency! By committing to using Michigan wood - even with no mass timber manufacturer yet in the state - DNR and the project team proved that Red Pine is a great option for CLT. Demand is high - we have more than 65 projects completed or in the pipeline in Michigan and more than 360 going in the Great Lakes region.”
The Michigan DNR Customer Service Center in Newberry is a landmark mass timber project, not just for its design or construction type, but for its deliberate and successful integration of locally sourced Michigan Red Pine. This endeavor highlights the vast potential of mass timber for sustainable construction, economic development, and climate action. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved through dedicated collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and private industry, even when facing financial and logistical challenges. The Newberry building is more than a facility; it's a statement piece for Michigan's growing momentum in mass timber.
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