Terra on Lenox: Boston’s First Ground-Up Mass Timber Multifamily Building

When 11 E Lenox opened in winter 2022 as Boston’s first ground-up mass timber building, the collaboration between Boston Real Estate Collaborative (BREC), Monte French Design Studio, Haycon Inc., Nordic Structures and H+O Structural Engineering created something groundbreaking. Now the 2024 WoodWorks Wood in Architecture Award confirms what the team proved: this 34-unit multifamily project sets the standard for climate-smart housing.

Material Efficiency and Structural Innovation

Regionally sourced mass timber acts as both structure and as a carbon sink, reducing embodied carbon compared to steel and concrete. Prefabricated CLT panels, glulam columns, and beams by Nordic Structures were efficiently assembled on site – minimizing waste, community disruption and accelerating the schedule.

Eliminating the traditional steel or concrete podium, this 7-story mass timber structure simplified the structure and maintained cost neutrality relative to a typical 5-over-2 design. Glulam beams were strategically coordinated with residential unit layouts creating 8′-10″ ceiling heights with just 9′-8″ floor-to-floor, enabling a 7-story structure to stay under MA code designated high rise classification.

Climate Performance Without Compromise

Terra on Lenox achieved Passive House Certification with a high-performance envelope, minimizing energy use and enhances resident comfort. The result is durable, low-carbon housing aligning with the city’s net-zero goals and BREC’s commitment to practical, cost-effective sustainability.

Design Excellence Through Collaboration

Mechanical and structural systems were tightly coordinated to meet height limits and maintain efficient MEP pathways. Exposed CLT ceilings and expansive glazing maximize natural light while showcasing the material’s warmth—creating a biophilic, high-end aesthetic uncommon in mid-rise housing.

A Proven Model for Mass Timber Development

The structure integrates glulam columns with double-beam framing supporting 5-ply CLT floor slabs. Beams were oriented parallel to demising walls and left a completely clear central corridor for efficient MEP distribution. This clarity in design – combined with early collaboration -positioned the project ahead of Boston’s upcoming Passive House requirement for multifamily developments.

Setting the Standard for What’s Next

As real estate development moves toward Passive House and carbon-conscious design, Terra on Lenox stands as a proven benchmark. Its performance confirms mass timber is a sustainable solution to today’s challenges.

H+O Structural Engineering delivers cost-informed design aligning sustainability, cost, and constructability from day one. Curious is mass timber is an economically viable structural system for your next multifamily development? Contact us today.