to move further back in the supply chain, increase manufacturing capabilities, and offer a complete turnkey service for mass timber projects. “We’ve evolved quite a bit since we first started,” says Timberlab’s Business Development Manager Sam Dicke.“When we spoke with Business View Magazine, we had just built our first big project, the First Tech Federal Credit Union building.” Timberlab was primarily known at that time for its coordination and installation services, working closely with Swinerton Builders. However, as the market for mass timber continued to grow, Timberlab recognized an opportunity to take on more responsibility. In 2020, the company made a decisive move by purchasing fabrication equipment, allowing it to control more of the supply chain. “That was the turning point for us,” Dicke continues. By 2021, Timberlab officially rebranded, setting the stage for a more integrated approach to timber construction. “About a month and a half ago, we acquired American Laminators, a glulam manufacturer based in Oregon,” says Dicke. This acquisition marked Timberlab’s formal entry into mass timber manufacturing under its own name. Also significant is the company’s planned investment in a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) manufacturing facility in Oregon’s MidWillamette Valley. PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT In a world dominated by concrete and steel, Timberlab is helping to reintroduce an ancient material into the modern building conversation: wood. “I always like to say everything old is new again,” Dicke comments with a smile. He points out that while mass timber might seem like new and innovative material to some, it has roots that stretch back centuries. However, as sustainability becomes a priority for developers, Timberlab is reimagining these age-old techniques in a modern context. The shift has been gradual but unmistakable. When Portland International Airport embarked on redesigning its terminal roof, it wasn’t just another project. It was an ambitious endeavor that combined sustainable materials, innovative design, and cutting-edge timber engineering, all aimed at creating something that would reflect Portland’s unique ethos while pushing the boundaries of modern architecture. “The new airport roof tells a remarkable story,” Dicke says. “ZGF Architects started this vision 10 or 12 years ago, wanting to create something distinctive and sustainable for Portland.” What began as a conceptual idea has evolved into one of the country’s most impressive mass timber projects, thanks in no 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10 TIMBERLAB
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