During the 2021 Oregon Legislature Special Session both the Port of Portland and Hacienda CDC received a $5M grant to prototype the design, development, and installation of volumetric mass timber modular housing–a unique and innovative building method using prefabricated wood modules of primarily mass plywood. This pilot project is the first of its kind in the nation and applied techniques that combine mass timber, efficiency, and affordability to create a prototype that can be successfully replicated. The primary objective was to work with Hacienda CDC and Salazar Architects to collaboratively design and construct not only a buildable module, but an efficient unit that can be replicated with minimal process. These six high-performing modules were built to stand alone with single floor studio, two, or three-bedroom floorplans. Walsh built the modular units at Port of Portland’s Terminal 2, then transported the modular units to each of the six sites across the state of Oregon, where we completed on-site construction, install, and commissioning. These first units were donated to families, in partnership with local organizations.
