Newsroom

PORTLAND, Ore. - A professional conference on June 1 at the Oregon Convention Center will explore new innovations in locally produced wood products and the use of them in sustainable building design.

The event is designed for architects, engineers, designers, and other building industry professionals. It costs $150 and will provide five hours of continuing education credits. More information on the agenda, speakers, and registration is available online at http://www.structureoregon2011.com

The conference, "StructureOregon 2011: Utilizing Local Wood Products in Sustainable Designs," is sponsored by the Oregon Wood Innovation Center at Oregon State University, Business Oregon, Umpqua Training and Employment, the Oregon Consortium and Oregon Workforce Alliance, and Worksource Oregon.

"Most architects and engineers know wood as a flexible, durable and beautiful building material," said Chris Knowles, an OSU assistant professor with the Oregon Wood Innovation Center. "But in a state that leads the nation in the production of softwood lumber and plywood, how can Oregon wood products be used in more different and creative ways in commercial, residential, industrial and institutional structures?"

Presentations will be made by experts from OSU, the University of Oregon, private industry, architectural and engineering firms, on such topics as applications for wood, Oregon wood species, high-efficiency buildings, sustainable design, innovative wood products and biomass heating.