Integrated Structures / Mass Timber
The coordination of building systems has always been a hallmark of a successful project. Going beyond day one, that coordination is being elevated as low-carbon emitting materials are being integrated into the solution. Realized as mass timber construction, the competing demands for aesthetic values and mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, and security system flexibility requires tighter coordination between the design, manufacturing, and construction teams.
CONCEALED OR EXPOSED
The open ceiling structure bodes the question of how systems will be distributed, how adaptive they will be to future modifications, acoustics, and potential glare in a high-tech environment. This is particularly true for devices that function best in a ceiling-mounted configuration – such as wireless access points and light fixtures. Architectural and structural team members can detail mass timber chases that serve for localized routing avenues for these ceiling-mounted devices or alternatively, raceways can sometimes be routed in the topping slab above. Where mass timber wall assemblies or columns are present – the same principles apply, with device coordination being of paramount importance.
UW Health Science Education Building
EXPOSED SPACES
Classrooms, Offices, Common Seating/Study spaces, Circulation
CEILING TYPES
Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds, & Gyp Soffits
TYPES OF MASS TIMBER
The selected type and depth of the decking – as well as the depth of the topping slab – are factors when balancing budget, schedule, and routing raceway options. To expedite installation, prefabricated penetrations are identified as cost savings strategies due to limitations in the field but also require closer coordination in detailing the raceway and supporting infrastructure. Likewise, identifying core pathways along with the quantity and size of major pathway routing varies from single cable trays to numerous conduits, which need to branch in multiple directions to serve various electrical and telecommunications systems and devices.
NDA - Global Enterprise
EXPOSED SPACES
Classrooms, Offices, Common Seating/Study spaces, Circulation
CEILING TYPES
Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds
Highline High School
EXPOSED SPACES
Commons & Library
CEILING TYPES
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IN CONSTRUCTION
Renton Elementary (16)
EXPOSED SPACES
Classroom Wing, Library, Commons
CEILING TYPES
Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds
Van Asselt School Addition
EXPOSED SPACES
Classroom Wing
CEILING TYPES
Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds, Gyp Soffits
On the Boards
Alki Elementary School // 95,000 sf // 2025 // CLT
CEILING TYPES: Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds
EXPOSED SPACES: Learning Spaces, Commons, Circulation
Asa Mercer Middle School // 176,000 sf // 2025 // CLT
CEILING TYPES: Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds, Acoustical Soffits
EXPOSED SPACES: Classroom Wing, Main Circulation, Library, Commons, Exterior Canopies
Evergreen High School // 210,000 sf // 2025* // CLT
CEILING TYPES: Open to Structure, Acoustical Clouds, Acoustical Soffits
EXPOSED SPACES: Classroom Wing Building, Learning Commons, Commons Dining, PAC, Exterior Canopies
*subject to funding
INTEGRATED STRUCTURES
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Optimized ROI
Exposed Infrastructure