Case Studies of Multi-Storey Wood-Frame Construction in USA

Shortage of affordable housing is a problem shared by many major cities in the USA. Three- to five-storey wood-frame buildings offer economical housing through low construction cost and high speed of construction. In the designing of multi-storey wood-frame buildings, fire-safety and structural considerations are required by building codes. In addition, shrinkage and sound transmission do require special attention. Most Americans live in the suburbs in low-rise wood-frame constructions, including single-family detached houses and one- to three-storey apartments and condos. This has resulted in what is known as suburban sprawl—widely spread population, increasing the cost to the local government in providing streets, water, and sewer services. Planning for the shifting demographics and rising land cost, US cities are turning to densifying housing development of in-fill projects in the city and new development projects in suburban town centres.