Diving into Details. How Microscopic Can Make All the Difference!

THE DETAIL: A custom column splice. The 4-story facility utilizes cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor and roof panels supported by glulam timber columns and beams, all supplied by Kalesnikoff. The column splice, or the connection of one mass timber column to another, was invented specifically for this project.

This unique connection system has many benefits. It allows for a completely hidden connection once the floor is in place, and utilizes glued-in rods, an emerging mass timber connection type in the United States. Notches in the corners of the column were detailed to allow for easy field access to the rods. Benefits extend to installation too, as the splice system expedites field installation – the fasteners are pre-installed in the factory, and the installer only needs to set the column and install nuts.

We recently visited the Kalesnikoff Mill and Mass Timber Plant. There, we were able to see the project’s columns, beams, and panels in production. It was amazing to witness the customization of each piece, every notch, every cut, such precision! As structural engineers, we are the ones who work most closely with the lumber manufacturer during the design phase. Together, it’s our job to get the details right. During our visit, the pieces were slotted for final touches and finish work, and it was so cool to see them up close.

We were captivated by the scale – raw lumber coming in the door, plunging down a huge conveyer belt, and being processed by computer-controlled saws. But even more impressive was understanding the amount of sophistication that goes into the process. For example, every single log is scanned and analyzed to optimize the cuts. This analysis evaluates each log’s characteristics, then determines which cuts make the most sense. It’s an impressively speedy, and very sophisticated, process that was an eye opener to us. Overall, it maximizes use and minimizes waste. Even the byproducts are used as much as possible.

THE DETAIL: Because the City of Seattle requires all stormwater manhole cover lids to display the word “storm,” we worked with our team to design one-of-a-kind manhole covers that say “Seattle Storm.” Installed along the baseline of the outdoor court area, it’s such a fun detail that the entire team is really excited about.

Our team worked with ZGF Architects and Walker Macy to meet the specific grading requirements that basketball courts require, while simultaneously keeping the courts clear of as many manhole covers as possible. However, since our detention system is located under the parking lot, we were required to provide maintenance access. For the manhole covers that we couldn’t avoid, they feature a fun element of surprise and pride.

Another amazing project detail: the design and construction team is primarily female! A true rarity for an AEC design team, this group consisted of 85% females. The team members who worked on it cite it as one of the best collaborative environments of their careers.

THE DETAIL: Well, this overachiever gets two! First, the new school celebrates Spanish-speaking culture through design and intentional, inclusive elements. And second, the facility achieved status as the first net zero energy school in Washington state thanks to ambitious sustainability measures.

Designs took seriously the district’s vision to create an immersive environment that celebrated Spanish culture. Visitors of the school are welcomed via a two-story, multi-use space (Teatro del Sol), and a covered learning and community space (Plaza del Sol) outside the soaring atrium that leads to the community garden, outdoor learning areas, and an outdoor amphitheater. Small learning spaces incorporate cultures of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries of the world through icons, displays, and recurring use of materials and colors. The academic area is divided into three distinct small learning communities. These feature unique entry portals celebrating the 21 countries through “Las Ventanas del Mundo Hispano” (Windows to the Spanish World) as an introduction to everyday learning experiences.

The school building is the first net zero energy school in Washington state, thanks to a super-efficient building envelope, deep geothermal heating and cooling wells, and large solar array covering the majority of the building roof. Achieving net-zero energy performance is a huge accomplishment for the district.

Our structural team also worked closely with Sierra-Martin Architects to fully realize the creative vision for this educational building with sharp angles and massing complexities that required unique steel-framed solutions. For example, accommodating tree-like forms of exposed steel along with differently angled radial beams in the atrium required refined coordination and design. Multiple materials and colors, sloping roofs, and roof overhangs unite to create a distinctive exterior that required a higher level of detailing and support to realize the architect’s vision.