Susan Jones | Light on Wood

Join us on April 9th for an inspiring lecture by Seattle-based architect and mass timber pioneer Susan H. Jones, FAIA, celebrating the release of her new book, Light on Wood.

In this talk, Susan reflects on the personal and professional journey behind designing and building with mass timber. Light on Wood explores wood as both a traditional and forward-looking material—interweaving design practice, research, advocacy, and architecture’s role in addressing climate change. Through built work and lived experience, Susan shares how mass timber has reshaped not only her practice, but the future of the built environment.

Susan will highlight award-winning projects including CLT House, one of the first completed cross-laminated timber homes in the United States, where wood takes center stage as a material that is both nostalgic and visionary.

Event Details

Lecture Location: Seattle Central Library: 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Doors open: 5:00 PM

Program begins: 5:30 PM General admission, seated event

Continue the conversation at a free happy hour and book signing following the lecture. Copies of Light on Wood will be available for purchase courtesy of Peter Miller Architecture Design Books and Supplies.

Happy Hour Location: The Shop – LMN Architects 723 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Susan H. Jones is the founder of atelierjones, a Seattle-based architecture practice established over 20 years ago and internationally recognized for its leadership in mass timber design and research. Her work has advanced the decarbonization of the built environment through life-cycle analysis, fire-performance research, and building code advocacy—helping to reestablish timber as a viable structural material worldwide.

A national leader in the mass timber movement, Susan represented over 90,000 architects through the American Institute of Architects in 2016, helping to change U.S. building codes to allow mass timber buildings up to 18 stories tall. She is the author of Mass Timber | Design and Research (2018) and has taught at the University of Washington since 1991. A licensed architect in multiple states, Susan was elected to the AIA College of Fellows in 2010 and received the 2024 AIA Seattle Gold Medal for lifetime achievement.

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