CREJ

DECEMBER 2016 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \

s Colorado’s population grows and urban

density increases, developers and archi-

tects must look to material innovation not

only to answer the growth demand but also

to provide full-cycle sustainable strategies within

new construction. With a highly educated technol-

ogy-centric market, our challenge is, more than ever,

to connect people to the great outdoors and provide

authentic building experiences.

There are inherent challenges – including evaluat-

ing development risk and an untested market pres-

ence – involved with implementing new technologies.

Yet, there is also great opportunity to provide a new

sustainable construction type, specifically in the work-

place. One such opportunity that our firm is exploring is the use of

cross-laminated timber.

While CLT is relatively new to the U.S. market (but common in Eu-

rope), its ability to infuse a space with the warm, natural character of

wood in a fresh, contemporary environment is quickly gaining trac-

tion. Unlike traditional heavy timber, CLT is made from young, sus-

tainably harvested trees such as spruce and Douglas fir. The harvested

wood is then cut into layers, laminated together at alternating angles,

and pressed into sturdy panels. The result is a high-density, reliable

building material that is five times lighter than concrete with the

strength of steel and the look of old-growth lumber.

The trees absorb CO₂ before being harvested, which leads to few-

er carbon emissions during the manufacturing process compared to

competing materials. Perhaps one of the most net-neutral features

is the ability for CLT to be repurposed into a new use at the end of

a building’s life, even with the primary structure being constructed

out of wood. Additionally, each panel arrives to the construction site

organized and numbered for accelerated assembly.

CLT is establishing a new benchmark for creating authentic, sus-

tainably built environments. With the visionary leadership of our cli-

ents, contractors who are willing to learn a new construction method

and a creative design team in-house, we have been a key supporter in

the effort to bring this material and construction method to the U.S.

and Colorado. We are utilizing CLT on many projects, most notably:

Amanda

Johnson

Associate

Principal,

OZ Archi-

tecture