Stylish, sustainable mass timber construction is here to stay.
Combining high-tech materials and design with the timeless aesthetic of natural wood, mass timber construction has been tested with success in office and residential projects across the country. Now, mass timber expert DLR Group is pioneering the use of the material in the hospitality sector with a groundbreaking project near the popular Lake Tahoe area in Truckee, California. We spoke with the DLR Group team about the benefits of mass timber, then took a look at their latest project.
Masters of mass timber
DLR Group is at the forefront of mass timber innovation, boasting a portfolio of three million square feet of mass timber buildings across North America. Their expertise stems from a decade-long collaboration with developer Hines on their renowned T3 (Timber, Transit, Technology) series of office buildings.
Photo Credit: James Brittain
The T3 Junction project in Toronto pushed the boundaries of mass timber construction, successfully exceeding building code height and story limits for exposed mass timber by utilizing Ontario’s alternative compliance path. Notably, the mass timber construction of the T3 series welcomes occupants and patrons with the warm richness of wood that is often absent in office buildings.
Sustainability in hospitality
Leveraging its mass timber experience from the T3 projects, DLR Group is bringing the versatile material to the hospitality space. This initiative was driven by a desire to advance low-carbon building design and demonstrate mass timber’s potential in hotels.
Through a USDA Wood Innovation Grant, the firm developed a hotel design prototype compliant with the 2021 International Building Code, which, with introduction of the type IV-C category, permitted unprotected timber structures up to 8 stories.
Since 2024, the model codes have changed to allow 12 stories unprotected. This change reflects building code evolution driven by sustainability needs and validation of mass timber as a reliable, resilient building material through fire and structural testing.
“The industry has done a good job in the last twenty years of focusing on energy efficiency,” says Bobby Larson, Senior Associate/Architect at DLR Group. “But we haven’t really talked about embodied carbon—the amount of energy and emissions it takes to produce building materials. Mass timber significantly reduces these upfront emissions.”
According to Lodging Econometrics New Hotel Openings Forecast, 902 new hotels are estimated to open in the United States in 2027. If these hotels were to use mass timber instead of traditional concrete and steel, it could prevent the emission of an estimated 1.3 million metric tons of carbon, while still maintaining hotel safety and sound standards.
Download DLR Group’s Mass Timber Hospitality Research Report for a full accounting of the company’s findings.
Common Pine
DLR Group’s first foray into mass timber in the hospitality space will bring the sustainable material front and center. Located in Truckee, California, Common Pine is the brand behind a distinctive hospitality project with a deep connection to place. Mass timber is core to the brand’s ethos and functions as the guiding element in the project’s architecture.
“Our brand is rooted in the belief that we are not separate from nature–we are part of it,” explains Common Pine Founder Rikesh Patel. “Common Pine aims to dispel the illusion of separation between people, and between humanity and the natural world. That shift in perspective impacts how we build, how we travel, and how we take care of our shared future. We are using mass timber not just as a material, but as a medium. One that immediately invites guests into our story of connection.”
Once Patel decided to integrate mass timber into Common Pine’s ethos, DLR Group was the natural partner.
“Common Pine was born from the decision to start with mass timber, not just for its beauty but because it reflects everything we stand for,” explains Patel. “The brand’s launch with this hotel anchors our belief that, with mass timber, design can be both sustainable and elevated. It draws guests into the rhythm of the local landscape, and into a kind of mindful hospitality that is intentional and authentic. DLR Group understood that vision from day one, which made them the right creative partner to bring it to life.”
Challenges and opportunities
Mass timber presents unique considerations when it comes to hospitality projects. For hotels, acoustics are a concern.
“Concrete is great at blocking sound, so we needed to understand the ways to do that with timber,” says Larson, noting that research from their prototype project helped them provide a quiet and comfortable guest experience at Common Pine.
The prototype research also enabled the firm to optimize structural approaches.
“It allowed us to have a head start on the Truckee project,” explains Stephen J. Cavanaugh, Principal and Design Leader at DLR Group. “We started with a structural system already optimized for the building’s use, and then focused on the other hotel design considerations, which allowed a deeper focus on design for the guest experience.”
Instead of hiding the mass timber elements, DLR Group left many exposed, pairing them with complementary materials in the hotel’s interior spaces. The result brings Common Pine’s mission to life, blurring the division between guests and nature in an immediate and lasting way.
“DLR Group’s holistic approach to design, aesthetics and where to expose the timber are all critical in helping shape the brand and guest journey,” says Patel.
The future of mass timber hospitality
Guest expectations for distinctive lodging, meaningful travel experiences and environmental responsibility will converge at Common Pine, where mass timber delivers unique aesthetic appeal and biophilic benefits while contributing to a low-carbon future.
“There’s tremendous momentum in mass timber construction, and we’ve seen it through the evolution of the building codes,” says Cavanaugh. “This enthusiasm seems to be increasing exponentially, and nothing is holding us back from implementing mass timber design more widely in hospitality.”
Learn more about Common Pine and DLR Group here.