Mass Timber As Lego: Flyvbjerg’s Modularity Meets Low-Carbon Construction - CleanTechnica

The article explores the potential of mass timber, particularly cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams, as a transformative material in low-carbon construction, framed through the project management insights of Professor Bent Flyvbjerg. Flyvbjerg, known for his research on why large projects often fail due to delays and cost overruns, advocates for modularity—using repeatable, scalable components akin to Lego bricks—to improve project reliability. Mass timber’s factory-made, standardized panels fit this modular approach, allowing for faster, more predictable assembly on site, which aligns with Flyvbjerg’s principles for successful megaprojects. This modularity not only reduces embodied carbon compared to concrete and steel but also supports scalable, efficient construction methods that can address housing shortages and climate goals. The article also highlights Flyvbjerg’s emphasis on reference class forecasting (RCF) to counteract optimism bias in project planning. By comparing new mass timber projects to a growing database of similar completed timber