Mercer Hits Milestone On Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
One year after groundbreaking, Mercer Mass Timber (MMT) has announced the completion of the first phase of construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a future cultural destination located in the heart of the North Dakota Badlands, and the largest mass timber project in the state to date.
Phase one construction began one year ago and is centered on the museum building and its dramatic roof structure of sweeping curves and complex geometry. The roof, designed to echo the rolling topography of the Badlands, required precisely engineered connections and joints, supported by steel wrapped in wood to maintain a seamless timber look.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is the largest use of mass timber in North Dakota to date. MMT is supplying approximately 1,800 m³ of CLT and glulam for the 93,000 sq. ft. structure, including custom glulam connections supporting the museum’s curved roof.
The final mass timber delivery date is scheduled for June 1, 2025, marking the official start of phase two of construction, which will include Mercer Mass Timber contributing canopies designed to support photovoltaic panels—expanding mass timber use in outdoor architectural features.
“This project is a testament to what visionary design combined with advanced mass timber engineering can create,” says Ricardo Brites, Director of Engineering & VDC at Mercer Mass Timber. “From custom made glulam connections to a curved roof profile that’s as complex as it is beautiful, this project sets a new bar for civic architecture.”
Incorporating mass timber is a means to honor Theodore Roosevelt’s enduring legacy of conservation with a beautiful nature-forward design. Mass Timber also offers innovative construction advantages, including 25–40% lower carbon emissions, faster installation, and strong fire and earthquake resistance for enhanced safety.
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is set to open on July 4, 2026, and every living president is anticipated to be in attendance.
Latest News
Atlas Holdings Announces Sale Of RedBuilt
Atlas Holdings announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell RedBuilt, LLC to Hampton Lumber Mills, Inc. Atlas formed RedBuilt with the acquisition of the commercial division of Trus Joist from Weyerhaeuser Co. in 2009. Over the next 14 years, the company became an industry leader in the engineering, design and manufacturing of proprietary wood-based structural solutions serving the low-rise commercial…
New From BID: Comact-Branded AI-Powered Linear Resaw Optimizer
BID Group has announced a brand-new innovation: The ResawExpert, a Comact-branded AI-powered linear resaw optimizer with vision, which will take wood transformation to a whole new level of precision, efficiency, and performance. The Comact ResawExpert is a…
Endowment Welcomes New Board Members
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities announces that Fritz Mason, Paul Hossain and Anna Torma were elected as new directors at the organization’s fall board meeting. “Drawing upon diverse backgrounds, they each bring a distinctive perspective and unique vision. We look forward to collaborating with them to further the mission of the Endowment,” comments Pete Madden, President and CEO of the Endowment…
Kadant Completes Key Knife Acquisition
Kadant Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Key Knife, Inc. and some of its affiliates for approximately $156 million in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments. The acquisition was financed primarily through borrowings under Kadant’s revolving credit facility. Key Knife, a global supplier of engineered knife systems for custom chipping, planing, and flaking solutions for wood product industries, is headquartered in Tualatin, Ore. with…
Find Us On Social
Newsletter
The monthly Timber Processing Industry Newsletter reaches over 4,000 mill owners and supervisors.
Subscribe/Renew
Timber Processing is delivered 10 times per year to subscribers who represent sawmill ownership, management and supervisory personnel and corporate executives. Subscriptions are FREE to qualified individuals.
Advertise
Complete the online form so we can direct you to the appropriate Sales Representative.