Mass timber high-rises in Portland and Seattle are showing how wood can replace concrete and steel in mid-rise and tall construction while sequestering carbon. But it’s not just about the big wood beams. Reclaimed lumber, low-carbon concrete mixes, and regionally sourced stone and earth products all reduce embodied carbon footprints. Builders who can tell the story of how their material choices cut emissions — and support local jobs — have a powerful selling point in a market that increasingly cares where things come from. Community-Scale Sustainability: The Real Opportunity Individual green buildings matter. But in the West’s fast-growing communities, the biggest gains often come at the community scale. What if a new subdivision integrated trails, shared green space, native landscaping, and low-impact stormwater management from day one? What if entire neighborhoods were designed with walkability, bike infrastructure, and EV-ready homes built into the plan? In California and Colorado, we’re seeing developers and municipalities working together to make this the norm — not the exception. 84 S P E C I A L E D I T I O N
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