Mercer Mass Timber Completes First Phase of the Roosevelt Presidential Library

On Tuesday, Mercer Mass Timber (MMT) announced the completion of phase one of construction on the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota—the largest mass timber project in the state to date.

Construction began a year ago and has focused on the museum building and its striking roof structure, characterized by sweeping curves and complex geometry. Designed to reflect the rolling topography of the Badlands, the roof required precisely engineered joints and connections, with steel elements wrapped in wood to preserve a seamless timber aesthetic.

Phase two is scheduled to begin on June 1. As part of this phase, MMT will supply timber canopies designed to support photovoltaic panels, advancing the site’s sustainability goals and expanding the use of mass timber in outdoor architecture.

Other highlights of the project are as follows:

• The library is the largest mass timber project ever built in North Dakota. MMT is providing approximately 1,800 m³ of CLT and glulam for the 93,000-square-foot structure, including custom glulam connections for the museum’s curved roof.
• The mass timber structure offers a total carbon benefit of 3,031 metric tons of carbon dioxide—equivalent to the annual energy use of 320 homes. The project is targeting both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certification, with goals of net-zero energy, water, waste, and emissions.
• The final mass timber delivery is scheduled for June 1, marking the official start of phase two.