Johan Wijesinghe
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Forest to Frame
Webtool
Scaling Sustainable Supply Chains Through Technology:
Forest to Frame is a digital platform designed to analyze how, when, and why the building industry selects and sources materials, serving as a blueprint for data-driven material economies. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wood Innovations Grant funded its development through a collaboration between LEVER, Sustainable Northwest, and Ecotrust, supporting efforts to expand wood product use, strengthen emerging markets, and protect communities and forests.Process
Building a Smarter Supply Chain
As part of the research team at LEVER, I contributed to the grant writing, design, and implementation of Forest to Frame, a web-based platform integrating architectural decision-making with forestry data. Funded by a 2021 USDA Forest Service grant, this initiative enhances supply chain transparency by providing architects, engineers, and developers with direct access to material origins, supplier networks, and transportation logistics. By structuring procurement data into an accessible framework, the platform supports more informed material selection, reducing inefficiencies and strengthening market adaptability.Data-Driven Material Selection
Forest to Frame functions as a decision-support system, tracking variables such as supplier networks, product availability, transportation impacts, and forestry management practices. By increasing transparency, it enables real estate and construction professionals to assess materials based on performance, environmental impact, and regional availability. The model is designed to be scalable, with potential applications extending beyond timber to other materials, reinforcing the need for traceability in supply chains across the built environment.
Practical Application & Industry Integration
My contributions spanned architecture, UI and UX, and digital product development, including:
- Structuring forestry and supply chain data into an intuitive, searchable platform.
- Developing data-driven insights to refine material selection based on cost, logistics, and environmental impact.
- Conducting user testing to ensure seamless integration with design workflows.
- Collaborating with suppliers to align the platform with real-world procurement methods and spec-writing.
Expanding Material Intelligence
Beyond improving industry workflows, Forest to Frame presents a scalable approach to material sourcing—one that prioritizes traceability, efficiency, and sustainability. By embedding supply chain intelligence into procurement decisions, the platform fosters a more responsible approach to material selection, ensuring that resources are sourced with greater awareness of their origins and long-term impacts.
As industries increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the principles behind Forest to Frame offer a model for broader application. Whether in timber, metals, or other construction materials, transparency in sourcing is critical to advancing sustainable development and fostering more resilient supply chains.
Partners
Sustainable North West, Eco-Trust
Project Team
Jonathan Heppner, Timothy Cooke, Johan Wijesinghe
UX/UI
Once-Future Office
Design Consultant:
Sustainability Consulting: PAE