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