Reducing Embodied Carbon with CLT: How LaRosa Groups Builds Sustainably with Mass Timber
- knatlo
- 18 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
The construction industry is at a pivotal moment.
While operational energy efficiency has long been a focus, a growing awareness is shifting towards the significant environmental impact of building materials. At LaRosa Groups, we understand that true sustainability means reducing embodied carbon—the total greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout a material's lifecycle from extraction to disposal.
Today, more clients and communities are demanding sustainable construction practices, seeking smarter ways to minimize their projects' environmental footprint. LaRosa Groups is committed to leading this charge by actively pursuing innovative solutions like Mass Timber and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a powerful alternative poised to redefine how we build.
Understanding Embodied Carbon and Operational Carbon in Buildings
The construction industry is increasingly aware that true sustainability extends beyond a building's energy consumption. It requires a close examination of embodied carbon—the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a building's materials throughout their entire lifecycle, encompassing extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and end-of-life. Let's start by understanding the difference between the two carbons:
Embodied carbon refers to all the carbon emissions released during the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, and disposal of building materials.
Operational carbon covers the emissions from energy used to heat, cool, and power the building throughout its life.
Buildings account for a significant portion of global carbon emissions. See the chart below, which shows the total Carbon Emissions of Global New Construction from 2020 to 2050. As you can see, 49% comes from embodied carbon (manufacture, transport, and installation of construction materials), while 51% comes from operational carbon (energy used to heat, cool, and power buildings).
Embodied carbon includes total emissions from the construction, building process, fixtures, fittings, and deconstruction over the building’s lifetime. See the chart below to understand the impact of embodied carbon versus operational carbon on buildings during the same time period from 2020 to 2050.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) offers a powerful strategy to reduce embodied carbon over time. By utilizing sustainably harvested wood, CLT stores carbon and avoids the high emissions associated with concrete and steel production. In fact, CLT can reduce embodied carbon and offer structural savings due to material efficiency and the potential for reduced transportation and labor costs.
Why Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)?
Cross-Laminated Timber is a modern engineered wood material crafted by layering boards of solid wood at right angles and bonding them with adhesive. This process creates a remarkably strong and versatile building material, offering strength and durability comparable to traditional materials like concrete and steel.
However, CLT's key advantage lies in its significantly lower environmental impact. Sustainably harvested wood absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, effectively locking it into the building and preventing its release. In contrast, the production of concrete and steel is a major source of carbon emissions. By choosing Cross-Laminated Timber, projects can substantially reduce their embodied carbon footprint, contributing to a greener planet.
This chart highlights the total project global warming potential in kg CO2 eq (Embodied Carbon Analysis) and compares the life cycle stage impacts of CLT with those of Steel and Concrete versions. For more information, visit EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
“We’ve become experts at integrating mass timber and CLT into our projects. It’s not just about sustainability—it’s about delivering smarter, faster, and more resilient buildings. We’re proud to be leading the way in Connecticut’s next generation of construction,” said James LaRosa, CEO of LaRosa Groups.
Beyond its ecological benefits, CLT offers several other advantages:
Speed of Construction: CLT's prefabricated nature allows for faster on-site assembly, reducing construction time and associated costs.
Design Flexibility: CLT's strength and versatility enable innovative architectural designs and larger spans.
Aesthetics: CLT offers a warm, natural aesthetic that is highly desirable for many building types.
With CLT's environmental and structural advantages, choosing mass timber becomes not only a smart ecological choice but also an economically strategic one. For comprehensive technical resources and standards on CLT and other engineered wood products, refer to the APA – The Engineered Wood Association.
CLT in Action: Central Connecticut State University's Innovative Library Addition
One of LaRosa's proudest examples of successful CLT integration is at Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU) Elihu Burritt Library Addition with key project partners: Perkins Eastman, Mercer Mass Timber, GNCB Consulting Engineers, LaRosa Building Group. This project demonstrates how choosing CLT can significantly reduce a building’s embodied carbon footprint, aligning with CCSU's commitment to sustainability.
The project utilized mass timber, including CLT, as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel, resulting in significant cost savings. Beyond the environmental benefits, CLT also accelerated the construction timeline.
“Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) significantly accelerated our construction timeline. While traditional steel construction often requires about a week per floor, we completed three floors in just two weeks. By eliminating concrete decking and minimizing dependencies like curing times and MEP sequencing, we transitioned directly from structural completion to interior framing. This streamlined approach not only saved time but also enhanced overall project efficiency," explained Rome Santilli, Senior Project Manager of LaRosa Groups.
While CLT offered sustainability and aesthetic advantages, the project presented some challenges as well:
Initial Resistance: There was initial hesitation from the school, state, and insurance stakeholders due to the relative novelty of mass timber.
Learning Curve: Subcontractors were unfamiliar with CLT, requiring training and close collaboration.
Design Adjustments: Design modifications were necessary during the construction phase to fully leverage CLT's benefits.
“One of our biggest challenges was joining the project post-bid, without having been involved in the conceptual design phase,” said LaRosa. “Layer in a 50-year-old building, outdated plans, an active university campus, asbestos removal, and record rainfall—and it could’ve been a construction nightmare. But our team rose to the occasion. Through proactive planning, hands-on collaboration, and creative problem-solving, we delivered cost-effective solutions that exceeded expectations from both the school and the design team.”
LaRosa Groups effectively addressed these challenges through:
Teamwork: Emphasizing constant coordination and communication among the architect, engineer, and project manager.
Collaboration: Holding weekly meetings and dedicated sessions with mass timber vendors and structural engineers to ensure accurate fabrication and installation.
"Witnessing the speed and efficiency of building with Cross-Laminated Timber was truly remarkable. Its lighter weight compared to traditional materials not only reduced transportation costs but also streamlined labor requirements. Our team of just four carpenters constructed the entire building, showcasing CLT's potential to revolutionize construction through enhanced efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” added Santilli.
This landmark project, featured at the BuildGreenCT Spotlight Tour, showcases LaRosa's expertise in sustainable construction and mass timber implementation.
🟢 Quick Fact: Using CLT in this project reduced the Global Warming Potential by 65%—saving the CO₂ equivalent of powering 13 homes for an entire year.
Learning from Challenges: 340+ Dixwell Avenue
While CLT offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to acknowledge that working with this material requires meticulous planning and careful handling. A recent LaRosa Groups project at 340+ Dixwell Avenue serves as a valuable learning experience.
340+ Dixwell is a four-story, mass timber, passive house, mixed-income, and affordable multi-family development project located in the Dixwell neighborhood of New Haven. The key partners included Beulah Land Development Corporation, HELP Development Corp, Architect Paul Selnau, Schadler Selnau Associates, Spiritos Properties, and LaRosa Building Group.
340+’s mass timber passive house with rooftop solar approach incorporates natural and healthy materials throughout the building interior, reducing its embodied and operational carbon footprint, and serves as a model to broaden the social, health, and economic potential of affordable housing construction.
“When renovating an older building, the unexpected is expected,” explains Jonathan Turley, Project Manager of LaRosa Groups.
Material complications arose due to damage during shipping, causing substantial delays. In this case, the manufacturer had to send new mass timber replacements due to the damaged cargo. This situation underscored the critical importance of protecting prefabricated timber during transport, as these materials arrive on-site ready for installation. Any defects can significantly impact the build process.
At LaRosa Groups, we emphasize detailed preconstruction and logistics planning to ensure project efficiency and avoid costly delays, a factor that is especially important when working with mass timber materials.
Innovation in Action: Acme Timber Lofts
The Acme Timber Lofts project stands as an inspiring example of CLT's architectural potential, seamlessly blending striking aesthetics with environmental responsibility.
Acme Timber Lofts is a preservation, restoration, and vertical expansion of an existing 3.5-story, 150-year-old, unreinforced masonry structure via a new CLT stair and elevator core and two-story CLT honeycomb extension, with exposed CLT interior and exterior walls and ceilings. The renovated building is also designed to Passive House standards.
In this development, CLT not only facilitated the creation of visually stunning living spaces but also significantly reduced the project’s embodied carbon footprint compared to traditional construction methods.
“Whether working on a high-end construction site or a supportive housing complex, delivering a quality product that not only meets but exceeds client expectations is a core LaRosa value,” explained LaRosa.
Projects like Acme Timber Lofts perfectly illustrate CLT's powerful combination of beauty, function, and sustainability, highlighting why mass timber is rapidly becoming the preferred material for forward-thinking developments.
A Culture of Proactive Collaboration at LaRosa Groups
Beyond choosing the right materials, the success of any CLT project depends on how well the team communicates and works together. At LaRosa Groups, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of clear, proactive collaboration—from architects and engineers to suppliers and clients. Our project managers lead with intention, ensuring that every detail—from design through delivery—is thoughtfully planned and flawlessly executed.
“When working with CLT, there’s no room for ambiguity. Keeping communication open across the entire team—especially when something needs clarification—helps us stay efficient and avoid delays,” added Santilli.
This approach reflects more than just a construction philosophy—it’s a core part of who we are.
LaRosa Groups Expertise in Mass Timber
Our work with Mass Timber and Cross-Laminated Timber isn’t about keeping up with trends—it’s about living out our commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and forward-thinking construction practices. At LaRosa Groups, we take pride in reducing embodied carbon while delivering projects that are structurally sound, visually striking, and environmentally responsible.
“We’re passionate about minimizing embodied carbon and delivering sustainable, high-performance buildings our clients can proudly stand behind. As the industry evolves, we’re committed to leading the way in green construction. CLT is a key step in that journey—and we’re excited to partner with others who share that vision,” said LaRosa.
Interested in exploring Cross-Laminated Timber for your next construction project? Learn more about LaRosa Groups Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)?
A: CLT is a sustainable mass timber material made from layered wood panels that are glued together at right angles. It provides strength comparable to concrete or steel but with a much lower carbon footprint.
Q: How does CLT reduce embodied carbon?
A: CLT stores carbon absorbed by trees during growth, avoiding the high emissions associated with concrete and steel. It can reduce a building’s embodied carbon by more than 60%.
Q: Is CLT safe for commercial buildings?
A: Yes. CLT is rigorously tested for fire safety, structural strength, and durability. Many buildings—including multi-family housing, schools and libraries—successfully use CLT as a primary structural material.
Q: How does LaRosa Groups use Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)?
LaRosa Groups integrates Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) into its construction projects to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and structural performance. By utilizing CLT, LaRosa reduces embodied carbon emissions, shortens construction timelines, and minimizes on-site labor requirements. Notable projects like the CCSU Elihu Burritt Library Addition, 340+ Dixwell Avenue, and Acme Timber Lofts exemplify LaRosa's commitment to innovative building practices that align with environmental responsibility and modern design standards.
Comments