ST. PAUL, Minn. (May 12, 2026) - St. Paul Downtown Airport's new mass timber customs facility is being built with structurally graded reclaimed wood, giving salvaged Douglas Fir a new life while keeping waste out of the landfill. This is a first of its kind commercial project featuring reclaimed wood in structural framing and panels. The wood was graded…
The Douglas Fir wood was sustainable sourced through a process called Deconstruction. Deconstruction is an alternative to demolition where up to 90% of materials are salvaged for reuse and recycling rather than destroyed and landfilled. Salvaging materials from deconstruction also reduces the need for newly harvested timber and manufactured products. By reusing reclaimed lumber, we are saving virgin trees and the energy required to harvest those trees. This is an extremely important process as 45% of U.S waste comes from construction and demolition sites.
The 23,000 board feet (BF) of Douglas Fir being provided to build the new airport facility is a combination of old growth beams and newer mid-century lumber. was sourced from two main areas: 80% was salvaged from agricultural pole buildings in Montana and will be used for the roofing panels; the remaining 20% was old growth from a factory in Chicago.
The St. Paul Downtown Airport facility is projected to be finished by late 2026.
Urban Evolutions is a certified woman-owned company that For over 28 years, has specialized in reclaimed wood and salvaged materials, offering a distinctive portfolio for architects, builders, and designers.
From vintage architectural wood to urban trees diverted from the waste stream, our products tell stories of place, craft, and preservation. We also provide contemporary deconstruction services, an environmentally responsible alternative to demolition, which allows us to reclaim building materials at the source and close the loop on sustainable sourcing.