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V O L . X X X I N O. X V I J U LY 2 8 , 2 0 2 5 26 R E A L E S TAT E / C O N S T R U C T I O N / E N G I N E E R I N G F O C U S Maine advocates have deep experience According to two of mass timber's most passionate and experienced advocates, Matt Tonello of Consigli Construction and Paul Becker of the architecture and engineering firm ornton Tomasetti, the cost associated with some projects has been a factor of the immaturity of the industry. Mass timber has been common in Europe since the 1940s, but only made it to this country 10 years ago. Tonello is an engineer and a proj- ect executive in the Portland office of Consigli Construction and has been leading the firm's mass timber projects in New England for a decade. Becker is a senior principal with the Portland office of ornton Tomasetti structural engineers and architects, which has extensive experience with mass tim- ber. Globally, the firm has designed over 100 mass timber projects, some just in concept, and three to four dozen projects in North America and Europe that were built in the past few years. "ere's still a learning curve in the U.S.," Becker says. "And that contrib- utes to a cost differential that's put on it for inexperience. e cost is less if the contractor has experience with the material and the process." He sees material costs offset by increased speed of production. "Building with mass timber can often be quicker than a steel and concrete structure and is often lighter in weight, which has advantages including a reduced construction schedule, poten- tially smaller foundation costs, smaller cranes and a smaller crew to erect the structure," Becker says. "You can put a home up with mass timber in three days." ornton Tomasetti designed the tallest mass timber structure on the globe, the 25-story Ascent in Milwaukee, which will soon be eclipsed by the firm's 375- foot Edison building, also in Milwaukee. One of the firm's current projects is the Roux Institute of Northeastern University, now under construction in Portland, which will use mass- timber in one wing of the six-story, 245,000-square-foot academic build- ing. Construction is being managed by Consigli. Tonello and Becker co-founded the Maine Mass Timber Advisory Council, which advises the University of Maine's Mass Timber Commercialization Center, and serves as a research and development partner with the university's Advanced Structures and Composites Center in Orono to innovate timber lamination and » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E Pure Water. Pure Confidence. Custom DI Solutions from Culligan. Culligan Deionizer Exchange Systems provide high-purity water essential for industries like laboratories, electronics manufacturing, food & beverage, healthcare, and more. Using advanced ion exchange resins, we remove impurities to meet your facility's exact standards. Our DI solutions are customizable and supported by expert service technicians who regenerate or replace tanks as needed. Whether you need new tanks, regeneration of your existing ones, or a rental solution—we've got you covered. Call us today at (207) 846-5061 or visit WTE-Inc.com to customize your DI solution. Let Culligan deliver the purity your process demands. From concept to completion, Haley Ward delivers integrated architecture & engineering services that bring your vision to life. Rooted in Maine, we bring deep local knowledge & multi-disciplinary expertise to every project - from historic preservation to site development and public infrastructure. Our architects & engineers work seamlessly to design smart, sustainable solutions that reflect the character & needs of Maine communities. Let's build something great together. WE DO WHAT'S NEXT HALEYWARD.COM

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