At A Glance: Mass Timber Barracks Pilot
- Project/Program: Mass Timber Barracks Construction Pilot
- Location: Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA
- Cost/Status: Groundbreaking (Dec. 12, 2025) / Completion Early 2028
- Key Outcome: 105,000 sq. ft. sustainable housing for 200 soldiers
SEATTLE — With one ceremonial shovel swing during a groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 12, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is redrawing the blueprint for soldier housing and military construction at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), incorporating structural materials long used in private industry but new to the Department of War (DoW).
USACE Seattle District, JBLM Army Garrison, and 1st Special Forces Group leadership joined to celebrate the DoW’s largest-to-date construction project using mass timber. When complete in early 2028, the five-story, 105,000-square-foot barracks will house 200 soldiers.
Mass timber represents a shift for USACE architects, engineers and a project delivery team tasked with leading the design and construction management.
“This is a challenge to build faster, stronger, and with greater environmental stewardship using cross-laminated mass timber materials – materials with a long history in the private sector, but with minimal use in the DoW,” said Col. Kathryn Sanborn, USACE Seattle District commander. “Today, with our contractor partners, we take the next step.”
Created by bonding layers of wood into large, exceptionally strong structural panels and beams, cross-laminated mass timber offers a sustainable alternative to traditional materials with a lower embodied carbon footprint.
According to the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, the pilot program directs the secretary of each military department to carry out a program to evaluate the use of mass timber as the primary construction material in military construction projects and its effect on environmental sustainability, infrastructure resilience, cost-effectiveness, and construction schedule.
While the pilot will yield data about the mass timber’s use and impact, the new barracks also tackles one of the Army’s most critical priorities: to provide high-quality housing essential for the readiness and morale that underpins national defense and to rebuild the nation’s military infrastructure.
“By building modern, high-quality barracks, we’re not just improving readiness, we’re improving lives,” said Col. Joseph Handke, JBLM Army Garrison commander. “It’s one of several steps we’re taking to ensure JBLM remains a place where service members can thrive – not just professionally, but personally.”
As the largest Army installation west of the Rocky Mountains, providing modern, high-quality housing for JBLM is a matter of national defense.
“When this project is complete and there’s a five-story structure standing here, it will stand as a testament to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ role as a leader in innovation, a trusted partner in national defense, and an organization dedicated to building strong for the soldiers who keep America safe,” said Sanborn.
Frequently Asked Questions: Mass Timber in Military Construction
How does mass timber differ from traditional construction?
Mass timber uses cross-laminated wood panels that are exceptionally strong and sustainable, whereas traditional military construction often relies heavily on concrete and steel, which have higher carbon footprints.
What are the benefits of mass timber for soldiers?
Beyond sustainability, mass timber projects often provide a warmer, more natural aesthetic (biophilic design) which can improve mental well-being and morale for residents.
Who is building the new barracks at JBLM?
The project is managed by the USACE Seattle District in partnership with JBLM Army Garrison, the 1st Special Forces Group, and contractor partners.
