About Mass Timber Today

The Mass Timber Today Podcast was created by the Mass Timber Institute at the University of Toronto's John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. This podcast series will explore the opportunities and challenges of sustainable mass timber construction. You can expect one on one interviews conducted by our hosts, Dr.Anne Koven and Craig Applegath. Anne is a professor at the University of Toronto, an Honourary Registered Professional Forester and Director of the Mass Timber Institute, and Craig Applegath is the Founding Partner of DIALOG. Anne and Craig will sit down with our guests to explore their insights about mass timber technology. The podcast aims to be a platform for a conversation amongst foresters, architects, engineers, builders, Indigenous community members, and developers.

Episode Summary

This is the first episode of the Mass Timber Today series. Craig Applegath, Principal of ⁠DIALOG ⁠sits down with the two founders of the ⁠Mass Timber Institute⁠ at the University of Toronto's⁠ John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design⁠; Professor Robert Wright, and Dr. Anne Koven. In this episode, the three discuss the inception and intent of the Mass Timber Institute, as well as what listeners can expect from the Mass Timber Today Podcast series.

In This Episode

Dr. Anne Koven

Connect with Anne

• Anne’s LinkedIn


• Anne’s Faculty Profile

Anne’s Recommended Resources

• Lab Girl by Hope Jahren


• Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard


• Mass Timber Building Science Primer by Ted Kesik


• Places of Production: Forest and Factory by Robert Wright


• The Arbornaut by Dr. Margaret Lowman

Professor Robert Wright

Connect with Rob

• Rob’s LinkedIn


• Rob’s Faculty Profile

Rob’s Recommended Resources

• Braiding Sweetgrass – Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer


• Gratitude by Oliver Sacks


• Risk Thinking…in an Uncertain World by Ron S. Dembo

Craig Applegath

Connect with Craig

• Craig’s LinkedIn


• Craig’s Professional Website


• Craig’s Podcast: The Twenty First Centiry Imperative

Craig’s Recommended Resources

• A Trillion Trees – Restoring Our Forests by Trusting in Nature by Fred Pearce


• Islands of Abandonment – Nature Rebounding in the Post Human Landscape by Cal Flyn