Knock on Wood: Breathing Life Into Building Design

Underfloor Air Distribution and Mass Timber Construction

As the architecture and construction industries pivot toward energy efficiency and renewability, two innovations are reshaping how we think about building performance and occupant well-being: mass timber construction and underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems. These technologies work in harmony to create environmentally responsible spaces that are both comfortable to be in and stunning to look at.

The Unique Benefits of UFAD

Price’s UFAD systems deliver conditioned air through a raised-floor plenum rather than through traditional overhead ducts. This approach offers several advantages.

• Improved Air Quality: Air is delivered directly into the occupied zone and is exhausted out of the room through high-level returns. This single-pass type of system reduces mixing with stale air and helps improve indoor air quality.
• Energy Efficiency: UFAD provides air to the occupied space at a pressure between 0.03 and 0.08 in.w.g., which is lower than that of typical systems. Additionally, cooler air along the floor naturally rises when it encounters a heat source, allowing for lower fan energy and more efficient temperature control.
• Flexibility: Modular floor panels make it easy to reconfigure workspaces and HVAC zones. The UFAD system uses a common pressurized plenum that removes the need to duct individual diffusers, thereby enhancing flexibility.
• Enhanced Comfort: Occupants experience consistent temperatures and can control airflow at their individual workstations using the Modular Floor Diffuser (MFD) with a face-adjustable basket.

Why UFAD and Mass Timber Make the Perfect Pair

Mass timber buildings are setting a new benchmark for workplace design. This type of construction involves engineered wood products, such as glue-laminated (glulam) columns and beams and large cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, among other options. Mass timber buildings emphasize biophilic (nature-focused) design, carbon reduction and material efficiency – and UFAD complements these goals perfectly.

Preserving Aesthetic Integrity

For designs with exposed timber beams and ceilings, traditional overhead ductwork would detract from the natural beauty of the structure. UFAD keeps mechanical systems out of sight, preserving the clean, organic look and allowing the natural warmth and texture of the timber to define the interior aesthetic.

Supporting Environmental Goals

Mass timber sequesters carbon, and UFAD reduces operational energy use – together, they significantly lower a building’s carbon footprint. For example, perimeter cooling and heating can be provided through trench heaters (such as Price’s Linear Fan Terminal). These units are equipped with efficient low-pressure-drop heat exchangers and are designed for the low-temperature water (less than 140°F) commonly used with energy efficient, all-electric systems such as heat pumps.

Enhancing Occupant Well-Being

Both systems help optimize the indoor environment – mass timber through natural materials and UFAD through improved air quality and thermal comfort. UFAD systems ensure consistent thermal comfort across both open-plan and enclosed spaces, supporting the hybrid work model that many workplaces are adopting. Manually adjustable MFD units allow occupants to control the amount of supply air at their workstations. And as an added bonus, the modular nature of UFAD allows for easy reconfiguration without major renovations as the needs of the business evolve.

Looking Ahead

The integration of Price’s UFAD solution in mass timber buildings offers a compelling blueprint for the future of construction. Together, these technologies can reduce emissions while creating spaces that are adaptable and attuned to occupant comfort.

At Price, our team of experienced engineers collaborates closely with architects, developers and contractors to design customized UFAD systems that enhance energy efficiency, occupant comfort and architectural flexibility. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in mass timber design, Price is ready to deliver tailored HVAC strategies that integrate seamlessly with exposed-wood structures, helping you achieve both performance and design excellence.

For more information about how you can use Price’s innovative UFAD solutions in your next project, visit our website or reach out to our Sustainable Systems team at sustainable@priceindustries.com.