North Dakota’s Largest Mass Timber Project Hits Milestone at Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library – CCR-Mag.com

One year after breaking ground in the rugged North Dakota Badlands, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library (TRPL) has completed the first phase of construction—marking a major milestone in one of the most ambitious civic mass timber projects in the U.S.

Located just outside the town of Medora, the future library is designed to reflect the 26th President’s enduring relationship with the landscape that shaped his conservation ethos. With the museum’s dramatic roof now in place and the full timber superstructure erected, the project moves into its next phase, as both its architecture—and its message—come into focus.

At 93,000 square feet, the TRPL is the largest mass timber structure in North Dakota and one of the largest civic timber projects in the country. Approximately 1,800 cubic meters of engineered wood—including cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam)—are being used to form everything from interior structural walls to long-span beams that support the building’s sweeping, curved roof.

A Roof That Follows the Land

The roof, designed to echo the rolling topography of the Badlands, does more than make a visual statement. Its undulating form is central to the architectural narrative—blending the structure into its surroundings while demanding a high degree of precision from engineering and construction teams. Steel reinforcements, hidden within glulam, preserve the natural timber aesthetic without compromising structural performance.

Custom glulam connections, developed specifically for the project, allowed for a seamless blend of form and function. To follow the land’s undulating contours, we designed the roof with multi-axis curvature and used spline geometry for layout, techniques rarely seen at this scale.

This project is a testament to what visionary design combined with advanced mass timber engineering can create. The complexity of this roof pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with mass timber. The curved form required glulam beams arranged in a triangular pattern with intricate bi-angular connections.

Mercer Mass Timber used parametric modeling to meet the geometry, embedding uniquely shaped concealed steel hangers at beam ends. Structurally, it’s a complex hybrid system, but visually, it reads as seamless timber.

Timber That Performs, Design That Endures

Mass timber brings significant benefits beyond its beauty. As a modern construction solution, it meets the structural and environmental demands of public buildings at scale. MMT’s contribution extended well beyond product delivery—collaborating closely with design and construction partners to engineer prefabricated components that align with the building’s complex geometries and performance targets.

The project exemplifies how MMT is advancing the future of sustainable construction with renewable, low-carbon materials that combine technical excellence with architectural ambition.

Climate-Conscious Construction

Compared to traditional building materials like concrete and steel, mass timber can reduce carbon emissions by 25–40% over its lifecycle. For the TRPL, this translates to a carbon benefit of approximately 3,031 metric tons of CO₂—the equivalent of removing 640 gas-powered cars from the road for a year.

Prefabricated and lightweight, mass timber streamlines construction timelines and minimizes site disruption, while also delivering exceptional fire resistance, seismic performance, and long-term durability. Due to the site’s remote location in the Badlands, sequencing and logistics were critical, MMT shipped components in tightly coordinated bundles to reduce crane time and environmental disturbance.

The library is pursuing both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications, with net-zero goals across energy, water, waste, and emissions. Mercer’s mass timber solutions are a foundational part of meeting those benchmarks—literally and figuratively.

Biophilic Design Meets Lasting Legacy

Roosevelt’s conservation legacy is deeply embedded in the building’s purpose—and its materiality. Mass timber plays a central role in creating an interior that fosters human comfort and connection to nature. Exposed wood surfaces provide natural warmth and a calming, biophilic atmosphere, supporting the library’s role as both a civic and cultural space.

Mercer Mass Timber worked with Magnusson Klemencic Associates, the engineer of record, to engineer fire- and seismic-resilient assemblies that still allowed for the building to leave timber exposed, so the structural choices directly enabled biophilic outcomes. The building is a rare case where performance and beauty go hand-in-hand.

The commitment to timber continues in Phase Two, which began June 1, 2025, and includes the construction of outdoor timber canopies integrated with photovoltaic panels. These features will support the project’s renewable energy goals, while further showcasing mass timber’s versatility across interior and exterior applications.

With Phase One now complete, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is not just progressing toward its July 4, 2026 public opening—it’s already emerging as a model for how architecture can marry technical innovation, climate-conscious design, and cultural narrative.

By placing mass timber at the heart of its design and construction strategy, the TRPL is demonstrating how modern materials can elevate civic architecture—shaping not only a building, but the future of sustainable design.

Ricardo Brites, PhD, Eng serves as Director of Engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber, where he leads technical strategy and cross-functional collaboration from design through manufacturing and construction. His work ensures the successful execution of mass timber solutions across all project phases. With over a decade of experience designing and engineering mass timber structures across Europe and North America, Ricardo has contributed to more than 150 projects worldwide. His portfolio includes signature UK projects with Lendlease, Mace, and Berkeley Homes, as well as high-profile North American work like the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and the Walmart Home Office Campus.