Union Carpenters Build Mass Timber
WINTER MAGAZINE STORY - Learn about the work union carpenters are doing on a 31,000 square foot service center for Washington County, Minnesota. To read the full magazine, click HERE.
UNION CARPENTERS BUILD MASS TIMBER
A 31,000 square foot service center for Washington County, Minnesota features an open and sustainable design that utilizes mass timber throughout. Built by a local union workforce, this $30 million facility replaces the County’s older Central Service Center and has been strategically designed to support the growing needs of the area.
Mass timber’s sustainability, low-carbon footprint, and natural finish has made it a popular alternative to concrete and steel. This type of construction uses engineered wood products that are typically pre-fabricated in shops and shipped to project sites ready for assembly. As a result, mass timber projects can be quickly constructed, reducing costs and time.
When mass timber was proposed by the County’s architect, Alliance, hopes ran high despite concerns of cost. Fortunately, and surprisingly to Mandy Leonard, Senior Project Manager for Washington County Public Works, the numbers were right on target in addition to the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability mass timber offers.
“There were a lot of reasons to go with mass timber and the new service center will offer a comfortable space for our community,” said Mandy.
Alliance worked closely with StructureCraft to optimize the timber design and ensure that the project fit within the County’s financials. StructureCraft is based in Vancouver, Canada and has been leading timber structural engineering and construction for more than 26 years.
“We have taken a master builder approach, which means that we not only build but we design as well,” stated Benjamin Epp, Business Development Coordinator at StructureCraft. “ Over the last 26 years, we have developed a portfolio of projects across many sector types including public buildings, offices, cultural centers, and bridges – a lot of different applications for timber.”
Using a local and skilled workforce is a priority for StructureCraft, given the unique assembly of their mass timber materials. “We worked with Carpentry Builders, Inc. to find the necessary manpower to erect the service center,” said Shoaib Ali, Project Manager at StructureCraft. “It is essential that we hire experienced carpenters who, with some material handling and assembly training, can get the job done.”
Carpentry Builders, Inc. is a signatory contractor who employs a skilled field team with experience in wood construction of all types, including framing, finish, and exterior siding. The company’s exceptional safety standards and positive reputation in the industry made them the right choice for StructureCraft when searching for local carpenters.
In addition to on-site training, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) and the Carpenters Training Institute (CTI) offers mass timber curriculum to prepare members for the rising market.
“While mass timber itself is not new, its application on large-scale projects is growing,” stated NCSRCC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Nilsen. “The Carpenters Union has always been at the forefront of new technologies and the modernization of construction. For that reason, our members were ready to take this project on and work closely with all those involved to make it a success.”
View of the mass timber job site in Washington County, MN.
The new Washington County Central Service Center, located in Woodbury, MN, features glulam framing supporting dowel-laminated timber floor and roof panels, with beams spanning up to 54 feet over the central double-height atrium space. Located across from the new Metro Transit Gold Line, community members will have easier access to the building with spaces focused on enhanced customer experience.
The project was managed by signatory contractor, Kraus-Anderson, overseeing the work and ensuring that the job was done safely, on time, and in accordance to mass timber specifications.
“You start with a finished product, which is a constant reminder for those working on the site to stay clean and not damage the materials. You can’t throw chains around or lean ladders on it, so being mindful of handling is important,” stated Randy Haram (Local 322 – St. Paul, MN), Superintendent for Kraus-Anderson. “Hopefully we see more and more of this type of construction in the future.”