Forest Pub | Mass Timber, Made in Oregon
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Join our partners at the Port of Portland for a conversation about the Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus at Terminal 2. Alongside campus partners, they’ll explore how Oregon-grown materials, innovation, and collaboration are advancing next-generation construction, supporting local jobs, and helping address the region’s housing shortage—turning research and manufacturing into real-world solutions.
Photo credit: Marcus Kauffman, Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Speakers:
Emily Dawson is the founder of Single Widget, a practice dedicated to advancing a circular, waste free construction economy inspired by natural systems. A licensed architect, Emily designed the first cross laminated timber building constructed in Oregon in 2013 and has since helped lead innovation in mass timber design and construction. She researches, lectures, and writes about mass timber internationally while bringing collaborative thinking and careful technical detail to every project.
Kimberly Branam is Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer at the Port of Portland, where she oversees marine, navigation, commercial development, Portland Harbor, and economic development initiatives. Since joining the Port in 2024, she has focused on strengthening Oregon’s trade infrastructure and advancing projects such as the Mass Timber Housing and Innovation Campus at Terminal 2. Previously she served as Executive Director of Prosper Portland and led the City of Portland’s economic development strategy.
Thomas Robinson is the founder of LEVER Architecture, a research driven design practice with offices in Portland and Los Angeles. The firm is widely recognized for material innovation and pioneering work with cross laminated timber. LEVER’s projects span affordable housing, academic, corporate, and arts spaces. Alongside its built work, the firm develops and tests next generation building systems and sustainable tools through an active research program supported by more than $3 million in grants.
Mike Raley is Director of the Oregon Acoustic Research Laboratory and an acoustician with more than 17 years of experience in architectural acoustics. His work focuses on laboratory testing of building assemblies and improving sound isolation in floors, walls, and ceilings. Mike helps translate research data into practical guidance for architects, engineers, and manufacturers. He also contributes to national testing standards and coordinates interlaboratory studies for ASTM E90 and ASTM E492 across accredited labs in the United States and Canada.
