Talking Mass Timber on the Neutral Podcast

---

After we shared our reflections on the 3-hour mass timber fire test, I had the opportunity to continue that conversation in a different format. I was recently invited by Neutral to join their podcast and talk more openly about why the testing mattered, what we learned, and how it’s shaping the way I think about mass timber moving forward.

In Episode 19 of the Neutral Podcast, I talk through the motivation behind the test, what it was like to see the assembly perform in real time, and why having real, empirical data is so important when we’re advocating for exposed mass timber systems. Working closely with Neutral on projects like The Edison, I’ve seen how questions around fire performance come up early in design, and this conversation gave me a chance to address those questions directly, from the perspective of a practicing structural engineer.

We also dig into some of the broader implications of the test: how a three-hour fire rating challenges assumptions, what it can unlock for future projects, and how engineers, architects, developers, and code officials can use this kind of testing to have more productive, informed conversations. For me, it’s a reminder that pushing the industry forward isn’t about being provocative, it’s about doing the work, testing ideas, and letting the results speak.

I’m grateful to Neutral for creating space for thoughtful, technical dialogue and for continuing to be a strong collaborator in this space. If you’re curious about mass timber, fire testing, or how structural engineers approach risk and responsibility, I hope you’ll find the conversation useful.

I’m glad to be part of a broader discussion that values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration, and I’m looking forward to continuing it, both on projects and in conversations like this.