Award of Merit – Higher Education/Research: Oregon State University-Cascades Edward J Ray Hall
Utilizing mass timber construction, the 50,000-sq-ft building features glulam beams and columns with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels. The owner had three critical goals on the project: a design that showcased a meaningful use of mass timber; a building to serve as a prototype for future buildings on campus; and contributing to the campus goal of net-zero energy when photovoltaics are added at a future date.
The building incorporates a wide variety of Oregon-manufactured wood products that supported the local economy and stimulated job opportunities. The academic building creates state-of-the-art spaces for 500 students, including research laboratories, a new outdoor amphitheater and a flexible event space that functions as an outdoor study and gathering space.