Advancing Market Acceptance of CLT

A CLT panel, freshly laid up and glued, being readied for insertion into the hydraulic press in the D.R. Johnson manufacturing facility (all photos by me unless noted otherwise).

 

The construction industry, particularly here in the U.S., is often slow to adopt new and promising technologies. That said, recent decades have witnessed the growing urgency of implementing earth-friendly, sustainable strategies in buildings. Much of this impetus is attributable to an increasing awareness about how huge the carbon footprint of the built environment is (by some estimates accounting for as much as half of the world’s CO2 emissions and likewise half of its energy consumption). Regardless, owners, architects, engineers, builders, and lenders in this country continue to prioritize financial return and risk-aversion above experimentation. This is why we should applaud businesses who are willing to step up, pioneer new ways of doing things, and who champion the cause of carbon neutral efforts. 

 

 

D.R. Johnson Lumber Co. is one such company. D.R. Johnson is fully committed to the acceptance of advanced wood products in the construction industry, most notably cross-laminated timber (CLT). It is also dedicated to making the most of our state’s greatest natural resource and providing new jobs for rural communities. The key to D.R. Johnson’s strategy is promoting CLT as both a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for buildings customarily constructed primarily of steel and concrete. 

 

Cross-laminated timber is conceptually very simple. Like glue-laminated beams, CLT is a “mass timber” product comprised of layers of wood planks glued together to form strong and fire-resistant structural panels for use in walls, roofs, and floors. I find it surprising CLT hasn’t previously been extensively utilized. Governments in Canada and Europe have subsidized CLT research, manufacturing, and construction of buildings for years; consequently, the majority of CLT projects to date are located abroad rather than here in the United States. If D.R. Johnson is on the right track, that’s about to change very soon. 

 

 

I joined dozens of my AIA-Southwestern Oregon colleagues as well as students and faculty from the University of Oregon’s Department of Architecture last Wednesday for a visit to D.R. Johnson’s plant in Riddle, OR. The facility is only one of two in the country (the other belonging to SmartLam in Whitefish, MT) producing CLT panels for use in structural applications. We not only enjoyed the opportunity to witness D.R. Johnson’s manufacturing processes but also learn a great deal about mass timber construction in general via a series of presentations both en route and at our destination. 

 

Judith Sheine, head of the UO Department of Architecture, and Mark Donofrio, AIA, assistant professor of architecture (and also current member of the AIA-SWO board of directors), described the work of their joint studio in which students explored the properties and potential of CLT construction in the design of a parking structure for the Glenwood district between Eugene and Springfield. Notably, the studio was part of a collaborative effort involving both the University of Oregon and Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. Judith and Mark explained how, with support from the State of Oregon, the collaboration is leveraging academic resources to create and test new applications for CLT in the construction of modular and tall buildings. A byproduct of UO/OSU alliance is the newly formed National Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing, which will help accelerate use of CLT in this country. The Center’s goals are to assist Oregon’s timber industry by growing the market for mass timber products, expand the design profession’s stellar reputation for sustainable design, and establishing Oregon as North America’s hub for expertise in innovative wood building design.

 

Glenwood Mass Timber Parking Structure: UO studio project by Tom Adamson, Ryan Kiesler, and Tom Moss (Judith Sheine & Mark Donofrio, professors)



Valerie Johnson, president of D.R. Johnson, presented the sustainability case for CLT, which is premised upon its smaller environmental impact when compared to other common building materials. She pointed to how life cycle assessment studies show that wood products outperform steel and concrete in terms of embodied energy, as well as air and water pollution produced. Wood also has better thermal performance properties than common alternatives, making it more energy efficient. And wood is the only common building material derived from a renewable resource. 

 

Valerie Johnson

 

Valerie argued wood products have a significantly smaller carbon footprint, because they sequester carbon from the environment. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing the carbon in wood fiber and releasing oxygen. The stored carbon remains in the wood after the trees are converted to wood products, and the cycle starts over when new trees are planted to replace those that were harvested. 

 

She described how D.R. Johnson is working with the National Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing and the American Plywood Association (APA) to manufacture and test CLT panels to obtain third-party certification and assist with the development of consensus-based product and design standards. 

 

Valerie clearly relishes the opportunity the advent of CLT presents her company. For her, it’s a once-in-a-career opportunity to be on the cutting edge of something new and beneficial for our planet. 

 



Completed CLT panel. CLT is generally manufactured in slabs that are 3, 5 or 7 layers thick, and that are 10 feet wide and up to 60 feet long.

 

Tom Williamson, PE, of Timber Engineering LLC, further enumerated the advantages of CLT. These include its lower material weight at comparable strength—up to six times lighter than concrete. The lighter weight is advantageous in the case of earthquakes and also for transportation and onsite assembly. CLT panels act as plates with dimensional stability and static strength in all directions. CLT projects can be erected very quickly, reducing onsite construction time. They produce minimal jobsite waste, require smaller footings, and are versatile and easily integrated with other building materials. CLT also allows the use of shorter pieces of wood that can’t be used in traditional glulam beams, as well as lumber from smaller trees harvested from managed and sustainable forests. 

 

Tom touched upon the development of various CLT design standards and the integration of provisions within the model building codes specific to the use of CLT. These include code pathways and considerations for the use of CLT in tall buildings (greater than six stories in height). He cited the recently published CLT Design Handbook, which includes useful information for architects and engineers on topics ranging from detailing connections between panels to fire performance of CLT assemblies. 

 

 The U.S.CLT Design Handbook is available for free download at www.masstimber.com.

 

Tom didn’t shy away from identifying the drawbacks of using CLT, which are primarily associated with our current unfamiliarity with the product and its associated design standards and codes, its lack of performance history in North America, the fact its use under wet conditions has not yet been extensively studied, and its cost relative to competing systems. 

 

The cost issue figured heavily during a presentation by John Rowell, AIA about his firm’s decision to use CLT in the design of the 33 East Broadway project in downtown Eugene. John along with his partner Greg Brokaw, and businessman Kaz Oveissi, are the developers of the proposed office building. Rowell Brokaw Architects will occupy one whole floor of the four-story design, furthering the company’s commitment to working downtown. John sees 33 East Broadway as appealing to like-minded companies, who will be attracted to its urban setting, innovative use of exposed CLT, and the natural, creative vibe of the design. 

 

John said RBA used cost models to compare the benefits and shortcomings of various structural material and system options. In the end, the draw of using CLT—its innovativeness, aesthetic potential, and sustainability as a building material—outweighed RBA’s unfamiliarity with the technology and concerns about its expense. The arrival of D.R. Johnson on the CLT scene during RBA’s design of the project proved serendipitous. With D.R. Johnson as a local manufacturer for the panels, the cost for sourcing them would be reduced significantly. Opportune too was the State of Oregon’s eagerness to support CLT projects and the ongoing research by the Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing. 

 

John elaborated upon several aspects of CLT building design that are unique to the technology. These include how to detail and protect the connections from exposure to fire, and also how to accommodate distribution of MEP systems and address acoustical concerns. John hopes to see the project break ground very soon. 

 

 33 East Broadway (rendering by Rowell Brokaw Architects)

 

Mariapaolo Riggio is an assistant professor in the Wood Science and Engineering (WSE) department in Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. She is a key member of the Center for Advanced Wood Products Manufacturing, conducting research on mass timber technologies, including CLT. Mariapaolo brings an interdisciplinary perspective to her research, with a particular emphasis upon the long-term performance of mass timber buildings using integrated monitoring methodologies. She described how her investigations and those of her associates will contribute significantly toward the increasing acceptance of CLT as a building material here in the U.S. The proliferation of CLT will benefit not only companies like D.R. Johnson but also create jobs in Oregon and move the construction industry toward a more carbon-neutral future.  

D.R. Johnson’s newly installed Hundegger PBA “gantry” style saw. The saw efficiently cuts the CLT panels, using up to 9 different cutting and milling tools for roof profiles, wall details, and openings.

Something that surprised me during our tour of the D.R. Johnson facility was how low-tech the production of CLT panels actually is. As described above, it really does just consist of gluing up lumber in (perpendicular) layers, pressing them together, and then cutting them to the desired size and shape. At the moment, much of the assembly process still requires manual labor (a notable exception being the Hundegger PBA computer numerical controlled (CNC) saw). If CLT really takes off, I can imagine D.R. Johnson further investing heavily in robotic technology to increase efficiencies. It wouldn’t surprise me if heavily capitalized lumber industry giants (such as Weyerhaeuser or Georgia Pacific, or perhaps one of the established European or Canadian manufacturers) jump in once the commercial viability of CLT in the U.S. market is established. As America’s CLT pioneer, I hope D.R. Johnson is rewarded for its efforts and corners its fair share. 

 

The Vine & Wine Center at Abacela Winery 

A definite treat along our journey back to Eugene was a stop at the Abacela Winery, just outside of Roseburg. Sited astride the Klamath/Coastal Range fault, the winery’s sloping, scenic site boasts soil and climate conditions most conducive to the production of the Tempranillo, Syrah, Grenache, Malbec, Tannat, and Albrino grape varietals. In keeping with the sustainability theme of the road trip, Abacela uses a geothermal system for heating and cooling its Vine & Wine Center, practices sustainable viticulture, and has set aside 300 acres of its property as an oak savannah nature preserve. 

Following our visit to Riddle, I’m much better informed about cross-laminated timber, how it is manufactured, its benefits, and the potential for its applications. D.R. Johnson’s CLT venture is highly promising. In my opinion, the increased use of mass timber products like CLT is good for Oregon and good for our natural world.  I know I speak for everyone who participated in the tour when I say kudos to each of our speakers, the tour organizers, and our hosts at D.R. Johnson for a well-conceived, enjoyable, and highly informative road trip.  

CLT Road Trip

Photo source: http://www.apawood.org/cross-laminated-timber

Save the afternoon and early evening of October 12 for a chartered bus trip to the D.R. Johnson Lumber Co. cross-laminated timber (CLT) plant in Riddle. The bus will leave Eugene at about noon and return by 8 PM. The tour will be comprised of a lecture en route by a special guest, a guided tour of the D.R. Johnson plant (including the opportunity to see actual production of CLT panels), a stop on the way back at an Umpqua Valley winery, and a concluding lecture during the return trip to Eugene. University of Oregon architecture students enrolled in a studio focused on CLT will accompany the AIA-Southwestern Oregon chapter members who make the trip to Riddle.

 

I must admit I know little about CLT and am eager to learn as much as I can, so, work commitments permitting, I hope to take advantage of this opportunity. Is the hype about the technology warranted? My understanding is that the carbon footprint of a building structure primarily comprised of CLT is as little as a quarter that of a similar-sized building constructed of steel or concrete. Also, CLT buildings can be assembled in much less time than conventional steel or concrete ones. The tallest timber building in the world—the 18-story Brock Commons on the campus of the University of British Columbia—took a mere 70 days to reach its full height after the first CLT components arrived on site. Equally significant, CLT manufacture can take advantage of thin, “junk” trees that otherwise have little commercial value. And of course, the ability to showcase the beauty of wood by exposing the structure is always appealing to architects.

 

AIA-SWO expects the tour to provide up to 4.0 CEUs at a likely cost of $50 or less. The chapter has yet to post an invitation to sign up for the tour but expects to do so this week. Look for it because availability is on a first come, first served basis. Space will be limited! 

 

What: Tour of the D.R. Johnson CLT plant 

 

When: Wednesday, October 12, 2016, noon to 8:00 PM 

 

Where: Riddle, OR (round-trip bus tour from Eugene) 

 

CEU: 4.0 (anticipated)

 

RSVP: Sign-up pending 

 

Cost: TBD but probably less than $50

 

Why Mass Timber?

Framework, a 12-story mass timber building to be built in Portland, OR (design and rendering by Lever Architecture)

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’re probably aware of the growing interest in and use of mass timber as a construction system in increasingly significant (larger and taller) buildings. As I mentioned following a tour last year of D.R. Johnson Lumber Co.’s industry-leading CLT plant in Riddle, OR, architects are quickly latching onto mass timber because of its sustainable attributes. Mass timber structural products can outperform steel and concrete, whether the metric used is embodied energy or the amount of air and water pollution produced during their extraction and processing. Additionally, wood products sequester carbon and are derived from renewable resources.

Despite the greater awareness and appeal of mass timber as a viable alternative to steel and concrete for primary structural systems in larger buildings, its use remains a challenge because current building codes have been slow to recognize its inherent fire-resistive properties, resilience, and ability to be assembled by means capable of resisting seismic forces comparable to steel or concrete alternatives.

Last Wednesday evening’s CSI-Willamette Valley Chapter meeting was a real treat, as Eric McDonnell, a structural engineer and associate with KPFF, built a solid case in favor of mass timber construction systems. As someone who’s been at the forefront of the development of emerging industry standards for CLT use, Eric was eminently qualified to deliver a technically comprehensive, yet concise, primer on the topic to our audience.

Eric McDonnell, PE

Eric originally joined the KPFF San Francisco office in 2005, but left in 2010 to respond to a strong need in New Zealand for structural engineers capable of completing damage assessments and helping with the rebuilding process following the Canterbury Region earthquakes. He rejoined KPFF after two years of work in Christchurch, relocating to the firm’s Portland office.

Eric’s experience in Christchurch proved invaluable, as the damage wrought by the massive earthquakes served as a real-world laboratory for him and other structural engineers. Eric could see firsthand how the buildings there—designed and constructed in a similar fashion to those here in the U.S.—had performed. The vast majority of buildings engineered to meet modern codes did achieve their life safety performance objective; however, the central business district was cordoned off for two years and more than 1,000 buildings ultimately were demolished because the cost to repair them was too great. In that aftermath, public entities, engineers, and the general public began to ask whether it was reasonable to expect better outcomes in the wake of a seismic event. The notion of low-damage or resilient design took off in earnest.

Pyne Gould Building, destroyed by the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquake of 2011. Photo by Gabriel. (Flickr: 20110224-DSC_0467.jpg.) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most intriguing low-damage structural systems being implemented since the earthquakes involves the use of post-tensioned CLT rocking walls, which were initially devised by researchers at the University of California, San Diego. Eric worked on the design of a project utilizing this system during his time in New Zealand. Typically, a rocking wall is comprised of CLT panels connected to a steel footing by post-tensioned rods and special U-shaped brackets on the sides of the panels. The rods allow the wall to rock during an earthquake and snap back into its original upright position, minimizing structural damage.

Because of his experience with post-tensioned rocking walls, KPFF pegged Eric as a key member of its team studying the potential of mass timber construction. In the process KPFF has sent him to join the best minds in the field at workshops and symposia around the world. The growing consensus among industry leaders is the real sweet spot for mass timber construction to economically compete with concrete and steel construction is in the mid-rise range of 7 to 12 stories. At this scale, tall post-tensioned rocking walls are among the most promising and resilient lateral systems.

The challenge for the mass-timber industry is to overcome current regulatory hurdles. Because they are not prescriptively allowed by current codes, approvals for the already completed and ongoing projects have typically been processed through consent of alternative means & methods. This has and is being done by relying upon the results of rigorous fire-resistive and stress-strain property tests on CLT panels. A consortium of universities (among them UC San Diego, Oregon State University, Colorado State University, Washington State University, and others), testing agencies, and engineering firms like KPFF are conducting these tests. They are not inexpensive. Funding for the tests has come from a variety of sources, including the NSF, Katerra, Simpson Strong-Tie, Tallwood Design Institute, the Forest Products Laboratory, the Softwood Lumber Board, MyTiCon Timber Connectors, D.R. Johnson, and, notably, the City of Springfield. Ultimately, the goal is to realize the adoption of new code provisions that recognize the unique qualities of mass-timber building systems. Once this goal is achieved, mass-timber projects will undoubtedly proliferate.

Eric showed us several fascinating videos of some of these tests, including a full-scale shake table test of a mock-up of a two-story mass timber building with resilient CLT rocking walls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-CrDPyrxPQ

This particular test was conducted to provide data for a four-story parking structure in the Glenwood area of Springfield, and also for the 12-story Framework building in Portland, which will be the tallest all-wood post-tensioned rocking wall project in the world when it is completed. Eric and KPFF are involved in the design of both projects (the SRG Partnership is the architect for the Glenwood parking structure, and Lever Architecture is the firm designing the Framework tower).(1)

The mock-up shown in the test includes resilient self-centering post-tensioned CLT rocking walls, similar to the ones KPFF designed for use as part of the Framework project, and near-identical floor-to-wall connections. As Eric explained, the test specimen underwent 10,000+ years of shaking in five days, equivalent to (6) “San Francisco Design Basis” earthquakes with essentially no damage, and (4) “Maximum Considered” earthquakes with only limited damage where expected. All in all, the results are impressive.

Framework, interior lobby view (design and rendering by Lever Architecture)

Why mass timber? Beyond its potential as a sustainable and resilient technology, its appeal lies in its aesthetic qualities, how quickly its components can be assembled once on site (reducing time of construction and labor needs), and the promise it holds for the wood products industry, once a dominant player in our regional economy. I believe the time-saving aspect is a game-changer: Once on site, contractors can install the panels quickly, shaving weeks or even months off a construction schedule. The advent of tall wood buildings will certainly challenge the hegemony of concrete and steel structures and reshape building codes as we know them, especially as the momentum toward the increasing use of mass timber builds.

Eric is someone who is on the vanguard of the mass timber movement. He truly has been in the right place, at the right time, and presented with the right opportunities at every step of his career. As a result, he has the background, experience, and passion to make modern mass timber projects a reality. With several exciting mass timber buildings like Framework currently in the works, he is definitely helping shape a homegrown industry perfect for Oregon. Thanks Eric for taking the time to share your expertise with us! 

(1)  To date, KPFF has designed seven CLT projects in five different states, with ten more on the boards. The completed projects include the Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center in Colorado, and the Albina Yard and Eastside Office projects in Portland.   

December AIA-SWO Chapter Meeting Recap

The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House (photo credit: unknown)

 

The 2012 AIA-SWO Holiday Party took place this past Wednesday at the historic Shelton McMurphey Johnson House, which has overlooked Eugene from its perch on the south flank of Skinner’s Butte since 1888. Dozens of chapter members and friends shunned the damp chill outside to instead share each others’ good company, enjoy tasty food and drink, and celebrate the holiday season within the warm confines of the venerable “Castle on the Hill.” 

It really is the most wonderful time of the year. We look forward to our seasonal traditions in part because they are comforting and strengthen the bonds we share. They celebrate peace and nostalgia. The rituals of our holidays are meaningful, reminding us of our past, of who we are, and where we came from. 

AIA-SWO Holiday Party revelers (my photo)

The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is a symbol of Eugene’s past, a rare and authentic testament to times gone by in a community that too often has rushed to abandon its architectural legacy. We’re fortunate the City of Eugene now owns and maintains this landmark, preserving it for future generations to appreciate. Dedicated members of the non-profit Shelton McMurphey Johnson Associates serve as the facility’s caretakers. 

With its carved and turned exterior woodwork, polygonal tower, ornate open porches, and large bay windows, the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is Eugene’s most elaborate and prominent example of late-Victorian Queen Anne Revival architecture. It offers visitors an opportunity to step back in time and learn about its architecture and the culture of the community within which Dr. T.W. Shelton chose to build a home for his family. 

The SMJ website features a comprehensive video history about the house, as well as informative essays about the families who called it home, its architectural features, and the gardens and landscape that surround it.

Highly detailed scale model of the Shelton McMurphey Johnson House on display in the home's attic (my photo)

I find the home’s scale deceptive, as its interior feels much bigger than you would expect to discover when approaching it from immediately outside (the house does appear imposing when viewed from an intermediate distance). Twelve-foot high ceilings contribute to this effect, as do the spacious rooms arranged throughout the structure’s three levels of living space (two stories and an attic). A fine collection of period furnishings and interpretive displays complements the interiors and further provide a glimpse of late-nineteenth century life in Eugene. 

The Shelton McMurphey Johnson House is open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and weekends 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children, with a discount for AAA members, seniors, and students. The house is located at 303 Willamette Street, with vehicular access behind Ya-Po-Ah Terrace off the intersection of Third and Pearl in Eugene. If you haven’t already done so, you owe yourself a visit to this exceptional piece of historic architecture.

*   *   *   *   *  *

2012 AIA-SWO president Kurt Albrecht, AIA (center left in red shirt) offers his holiday wishes and thanks chapter volunteers (my photo)

The 2012 AIA-SWO Holiday Party was an opportunity for 2012 AIA-SWO president Kurt Albrecht, AIA to recognize the many members, associate members, and affiliates who served on chapter committees, particularly those "super volunteers" who helped make this past year such a successful one. Kurt also handed the reins of the presidency to Will Dixon, AIA. Will has already made his mark as the driving force behind securing the Octagon as AIA-SWO's new headquarters. We'll all look forward to more great things to come in 2013.

Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza Tour

 

Interior of the Farmers Market Pavilion (all photos by me).

Another week, another well-attended tour of a noteworthy project in Eugene. This time, the Willamette Valley Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, AIA Eugene, and the Willamette Valley Section of ASLA Oregon teamed to provide an insider’s look at the Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza, which are rapidly approaching completion. During the tour, key members of the design and construction team provided a wealth of background information, greatly enhancing tour-goers’ understanding about what is destined to become a transformative project for downtown Eugene.
 
Our tour guides included Tanner Perrine, Senior Project Manager with Lease Crutcher Lewis (and current CSI Willamette Valley Chapter president) and Assistant Project Manager Riley Allen. Tanner and Riley described unique aspects of the construction process, including the decision to procure the pavilion’s cross-laminated timber panels from nearby D.R. Johnson Lumber Co. rather than a lower-cost Canadian source. This decision reflected Lewis’ commitment to sourcing products locally and minimizing the project’s carbon footprint, but also the challenges and uncertainties associated with cross-border commerce.

(l to r): Matt Koehler, Riley Allen, and Tanner Perrine.

Farmers Market Pavilion

 
Matt Koehler, ASLA, LEED AP, principal with Cameron McCarthy Landscape Architecture & Planning, and Christine Rumi, RA, LEED AP, associate partner with FFA Architecture & Interiors, ably presented the design team’s perspective. As I reported previously, the Farmer’s Market Pavilion and Market Plaza comprise just the initial phase of the greater Eugene Town Square redevelopment of Eugene’s historic park blocks. Matt addressed the challenges posed by the necessity of anticipating the Town Square’s phased development in the project’s design, as well as the Lane County Farmers Market mandate to utilize “hard” surfaces to accommodate as many vendor’s booths as possible (disqualifying the incorporation of lawn areas). Christine highlighted FFA’s strategic use of a simple, luminous form that not only alludes to agricultural greenhouses, but also wrings the biggest possible bang out of a very limited budget.

Interior view looking north.

Cross section of CLT wall panel.

 

What impressed me most during the tour is the spaciousness of both the pavilion interior and the plaza outside, which isn’t immediately evident if you only view the design while passing by the site in a car. Vendors and shoppers alike will enjoy a more interconnected, shared experience and sense of place than offered by any of the market’s previous incarnations. I suspect the combination of interior and exterior space for vendor booths will lead to the participation of more growers, enhancing the selection and variety of produce offerings.

View looking west across the Market Plaza toward the Pavilion. Note the pattern of different types of concrete paving. The areas around the trees will be infilled with tightly compacted decomposed granite.

 

When completed, Cameron McCarthy’s assertive patterning of colored and hand-seeded aggregate concrete panels, and decomposed granite will complement the relative plainness of the Market Pavilion. Matt said the composition of the concrete and DG panels alludes to the modernist design for the two Park Blocks to the south across 8th avenue, for which the art of painter Piet Mondrian inspired Wilmsen Endicott Architects and Lloyd Bond Landscape Architect’s 1958 design. The quality of the Market Plaza concrete already in place is outstanding, with nary a cracked panel in sight. 

I did find the 8,500 sf pavilion perhaps a tad too refined and crystalline in character. The board and batten lower walls will be painted white, further reinforcing its iceberg-like appearance. The polycarbonate panels that clad its upper surfaces aren’t as transparent as FFA’s renderings suggested they would be. On the other hand, the building’s simple form will function as a backdrop for the bustle of activities on the Market Plaza and suitably defer to a future Eugene City Hall, to be constructed at the north end of the plaza.  

West wall of the market hall. The metal straps toward the top of the wall are structural and will be concealed behind acoustical wall panels.

 
Whereas the exterior of the pavilion is icily cool, the exposed mass timber framing and CLT panels inside are warm and inviting. Most of the wood will remain exposed, but the upper portion of the west wall that separates the market hall from support spaces will be covered by acoustical panels to dampen reverberant noise. That surface will additionally host a specially commissioned piece of art. Likewise, the City of Eugene selected an artist to paint a mural on a portion of the building’s exterior facing West Park Street. I expect the art pieces to add a desirable touch of color to the building.
 

West side of the Pavilion, facing West Park Street. The area of yellow panels will receive a painted mural.

The Lane County Farmers Market intends to move in and welcome the community to the new Market Pavilion and Plaza on Memorial Day weekend, less than two short months from now. I’m looking forward to seeing the design come alive, bringing active uses back to what historically had been part of Eugene’s most important civic open space.