U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition Names Winning Designs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the award of funding to support development of two tall wood buildings in the U.S. Two teams will split $3 million in funding to support the research and development of their proposed projects.  The contest required buildings at least 80 feet tall using mass-timber (such as cross laminated timber) and other engineered-wood.

One winner is 475 W. 18th, a 10-story residential high-rise in New York. 
Architect: SHoP Architects,
Consultants: Arup, Icor Consulting Engineers, Atelier Ten
Developer: Spiritos Properties

The other winner is Framwork, a 12-story multi-use building in Portland Oregon's Pearl District
(residential, office, commercial, and community spaces)
Architect:  LEVER Architecture
Consultants: KPFF
Developer: Project

More on the projects:
http://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/us-tall-wood-building-prize-competition-names-winning-designs_o
USDA Press Release
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2015%2F09%2F0259.xml

ShelterWorks Nets Grant for Recycled Brick

An Oregon company got a grant to get their green building product tested in hopes of wider distribution.  Looks promising.  From Sustainable Business Oregon:

ShelterWorks, which operates out of a former lumber mill in Philomath, will work with seismic experts at Portland State University's InfraStructure Testing & Applied Research Lab to generate specific seismic information about the building material that will make it easier for engineers to use it in building projects.

So far, the company's Faswall-brand building blocks — which contain 85 percent chipped pallet wood and 15 percent cement — have been sold mainly to residential builders. The blocks are a greener alternative to conventional wall framing or other insulated concrete form blocks. ShelterWorks blocks have been used in a few commercial projects but research data is expected open up the market for the product by simplifying the engineering process.