CREJ

December 2020 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 41 Delivering SMALL TOWN ETHICS BIG CITY SOPHISTICATION AND NATIONAL ACCLAIM since 1962. COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER - TOWNOFWINDSOR, COLORADO likelymeans a thicker CLTbeam,which in turnmeans ahigher inherent fire-resistive rating. Unlike steel, CLT requires no ad- ditional fire protective measures, such as drywall or spray-on fireproofing. Therefore, office buildings inparticular canenjoy the advantages of a CLT building – an open floor plan free of many columns and a beautifully exposed structural system. (Fire Safety of CLT and Mass Timber Buildings, https://con- structionexec.com/article/fire-safety-of-clt-and-mass-timber- buildings) • Core drills. “I need a core drill at every row of worksta- tions.” Inaneffort tomaintain the aesthetics of bothnewandolder CLT buildings, it is typical to findmuchof the existing building infrastructure housed in the topping slab. Additional due dili- gence and site survey timemaybe required todeterminewhat lies beneath the topping slab. Outside of any existing infrastructure systems, topping slab thickness may also restrict the use of core drilling for both power and plumbing connections, as well as the placement of traditional in-floor and in-ceiling infrastructure. Provide time for additional engineering, detailing, and in- stallation review – by your design team, engineers and on-site tradespeople. • One of a kind. “We did this in another building; let’s do the same thing here!” CLT buildings are as nuanced as the material from which they are made. As a result, all CLT buildings should be treated as unique. Howfrequently are the columns spaced? Howthick are your structural supports? What are some of the existing systems present, if any? What works for one building may not work for another. However, throughcareful consultwithboth the tenant andde- sign team, successful projects can capitalize on the potential offered by CLT buildings. \\ j.bocco@interiorarchitects.com | t.taliep@interiorarchitects.com ELEMENTS Cross Laminated Timber Office buildings in particular can enjoy the advantages of a CLT building – an open floor plan free of many columns and a beauti- fully exposed structural system. PHOTOS: Gaffer Photography