Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator Featured in Architecture 2030 Webinar Series with Leaders from New York, Boston and Colorado
Last month, Georgia joined an elite group of cities leading the charge in sustainable construction during a webinar hosted by Architecture 2030 as part of the Three Regions Project. Featuring insights from leaders in Longmont, Colorado; Boston; New York City; and the Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF), this event highlighted how forward-thinking cities are leveraging mass timber to tackle climate challenges and advance sustainable building practices.
For Georgia, this webinar marked more than just a moment to showcase its achievements—it was an opportunity to align with global pioneers in architecture, engineering and construction. Through the Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator, GFF stands poised to educate and inspire leaders across these professions while demonstrating how locally sourced, sustainable forest products can transform the construction industry.
According to the Wood Innovation Network by WoodWorks, there are 21 active or complete mass timber projects in Georgia. The state’s 22 million acres of working forests—half of which are Southern Yellow Pine—offer unparalleled opportunities for mass timber projects. By sourcing all the necessary wood within state lines, developers can maintain a tight and sustainable supply chain.
During the webinar, Matt Hestad, Senior Vice President of GFF, emphasized the role of the Accelerator in Georgia’s forestry industry:
“The largest threat to Georgia’s working forests is urban sprawl and land use change. The Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator is an opportunity to continue to leverage sustainably managed forests for construction in densely built neighborhoods, helping create climate-smart, sustainable communities while keeping land forested.”
This webinar marked the final installment in a three-part series hosted by Olifant, a market and project development organization focused on ecological solutions, and Architecture 2030, a think tank for sustainable building, showcasing cities leading the way in addressing global challenges through wood innovation. By sharing insights from diverse regions, this series highlights how mass timber can transform the construction industry while addressing pressing environmental and economic challenges. For Georgia, the Accelerator program is a tool for increasing the use of innovative forest products.
“Encouraging mass timber manufacturing facilities in the Southeastern U.S. to be as busy as possible from a demand perspective is good for the wood products sector and it’s going to encourage more landowners to keep their land as managed forests,” Hestad said.
The state’s experience contributes to the growing body of knowledge and serves as a beacon for other regions seeking to harness the potential of mass timber.
As cities like Boston, New York, and Longmont continue to innovate within their unique contexts, Georgia’s approach—rooted in its rich forestry heritage—offers a compelling case study in sustainable construction and land management. Together, these efforts chart a promising path forward for mass timber in the U.S.
Located in Atlanta, 619 Ponce by developer Jamestown had a 75% reduction in embodied carbon when compared to concrete and steel. Georgia grows the wood volume equal to 619 Ponce every 16 minutes.
About the Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator:
The Georgia Mass Timber Accelerator serves as a launchpad for innovative wood design—offering architects, engineers and developers the resources and support to elevate mass timber projects across Georgia. This initiative helps turn a bold vision for a project into actionable reality. This year, the Georgia Forestry Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the Softwood Lumber Board, selected three projects that range from residential to community-focused developments. These projects highlight the versatility of mass timber construction and its potential to reduce carbon emissions while contributing to Georgia’s economic growth and environmental sustainability​.
Learn more about the Accelerator and the selected projects by visiting, SeedlingstoSolutions.org.
About The Three Regions Project:
The Three Regions Project is funded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Wood Innovations Grant Program and is a two-year collaboration among three leading companies in architecture, engineering, and construction — SCB, LeMessurier, and Turner Construction. This work highlights the macroeconomic potential of building with mass timber across three distinct regions in the U.S.: the Upper Midwest, Rocky Mountain Colorado, and the Southeast. Â
Watch the full webinar series by visiting, Olifant.org/mass-timber-webinar
