Lakeridge Middle School - WIN Mass Timber Project

Oregon is considered one of the most environmentally conscious states in the country. Known for their eco-conscious ideology and sustainable practices, Oregonians consciously work to build communities that cherish and protect the state's natural resources.

About (WIN) Mass Timber project

The Woodworks Innovation Network  (WIN) Mass Timber project in Lake Oswego is an example of Oregon's dedication to environmentalism and innovation in education.  In 2021 a brand-new public-school facility with a mass timber structure was completed for the Lake Oswego School District.  As Lake Oswego’s preferred hardwood flooring supplier, Rejuvenation Floor & Design is proud to highlight one of the most unique wooden structures in the Portland Metro Area, Lakeridge Middle School.   

Lakeride Middle School Design

Mahlum Architects designed this school with students' specific social and academic needs in mind, believing that improved learning environments promote better learning. Before construction was completed, community members were invited to participate in a tour of the site, accompanied by members of the project team, who provided tips and tactics for managing code-compliant mass timber projects. Project team members provided information on the design, detailing, and construction methods used in the structure. In addition to insights into the project's design and execution, participants left with an understanding of the elements that affected the choices of materials and details, as the tour format is designed to foster questions and conversation. 

Specifications

With its exposed wood structural system, Lakeridge Middle School is a warm and inviting place where kids can feel a connection to the natural world. The interior and exterior of the building are supported by whole-tree columns made from hardwood trees that were felled on the construction site. For 29 columns—16 interior and 13 exterior—the team determined that Oregon White Oak, Scarlet Oak, and Sweetgum were the appropriate species for the school. Within 200 miles of the project location, all the work necessary to get the trees ready for use as columns was completed.  For the same load, these columns are roughly equivalent to an HSS steel column. (A typical column may hold more than 1,000 pounds of CO2e. Over 11 US tons of CO2e are estimated to be stored in all columns).  White Oak is a beautiful domestic species of wood whose tight grain makes it naturally water-resistant and durable, a perfect choice for high-traffic areas. 

To create a unique learning place focused on nature and the principles of biophilic design and sustainability the designers of the two-story, 141,000-square-foot facility used additional wood components, such as glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams, dowel-laminated timber (DLT) panels, wood-sheathed shear walls, and other engineered wood products. Engineered flooring is also a great choice for sustainability because it makes better use of wood fibers, cutting waste and encouraging environmentally friendly forestry methods. Brands like Somerset Flooring, which manufacture their floors in the USA utilize production waste, turning it into wood pellet fuel. 

In addition to offering sound absorption, locally produced DLT ceiling panels were installed and used for the cafeteria/common area ceilings. Cork products and cork flooring also make great insulators and can be used in a myriad of ways in different interiors. The two gymnasiums with their solid hardwood flooring will be the center of many games and activities.  Maple flooring is great for gymnasium floors due to its durability, shock resistance, and stability. The library was also a focus during construction.  To lower stress levels and improve student well-being, the district aimed to create "a more intimate space to celebrate reading the printed word," and the architects succeeded in doing so by utilizing the warmth of the wood in the library.  And what better place to showcase the beauty of wood than surrounded by hundreds of books, paper, and spines that are all thanks to wood?  Did you know some flooring companies even utilize recycled paper in their products? 

The Result

The finished project satisfied the district’s objectives for sustainability, safety, accessibility, operations, and student well-being. This stunning building, which was designed with careful consideration for the use of wood-based structural materials, doubles as a community emergency shelter thanks to upgrades made to the structural system to meet the strict standards of Seismic Category IV. Wood was also instrumental in developing a high-performance envelope that assisted in reducing the goal energy use intensity (EUI) from a middle school baseline by seventy percent. An estimated $400,000 is saved on energy costs each year, allowing the district to allocate a larger portion of its budget to education. Because of wood's effective thermal conductivity, the district was able to design a high-performance envelope and save almost $400,000 in energy expenses annually, allowing the district to allocate a larger portion of its budget to education.   

In addition to meeting Architecture 2030 energy standards, Lakeridge Middle School is registered with the Energy Trust of Oregon's Path to Net Zero program. However, the main objective of the project has always been to create an effective learning environment. Because of the project team's careful selection of materials and architectural elements uncommon in K–12 educational facilities, Lakeridge Middle School can serve as a model for using wood in contemporary school architecture.   

Visit Us

Rejuvenation Floor & Design offers flooring sales and installation in Lake Oswego neighbors with the widest selection of hardwood flooring brands that put the environment and sustainability at the forefront of manufacturing. Brands like Kentwood, Mirage, and Somerset meet CA Section 01350 and UL’s GREENGUARD Gold, two of the strictest emissions standards in the world, and NWFA Certified Refinishable products, which means they can be refinished and renewed instead of replaced.  That’s a guarantee that’s sustainable and budget-friendly! Visit our showroom today and let’s keep Oregon green together!