Light on Wood : Mass Timber Architecture – Susan H Jones
Light on Wood explores the relationship between architecture, nature and timber construction through the work of Seattle-based architect Susan H. Jones, founder of the pioneering practice atelierjones. Combining personal reflection with professional insight, the book charts the firm’s commitment to sustainable design and its role in advancing mass timber construction in North America.
Through a selection of key projects, Jones demonstrates how research, design, construction and policy can work together to reduce the carbon impact of the built environment. The book also documents atelierjones’ contribution to the development of timber building standards, helping to expand the possibilities of wood as a structural material.
Richly illustrated with drawings, construction photography and detailed project documentation, Light on Wood offers valuable insight for architects, students and anyone interested in sustainable building design.
Featured projects include:
- The Marian Chapel, Seattle
- First Congregational Church, Bellevue, Washington
- The Roundhouse, Greenville, California, designed for the Maidu community
Highlights:
- An accessible exploration of mass timber architecture and sustainable design
- Detailed project studies with construction photographs and technical insights
- Beautifully produced cloth-bound edition with extensive illustrations
“Light on Wood is a terrific combination of science, policy, technology, economics, and design, clearly demonstrating how design intersects with all of those areas. And the beautiful work and hand drawings make these connections accessible and engaging.” - Sarah M. Whiting, Dean and Josep Lluís Sert Professor of Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Author: Susan H Jones
Publisher: Birkhauser
Format: Hardcover
Pages:316
ISBN: 978-3-0356-2990-3
Publication date: October 2025