Why FSC Was Important to This Project
This project is located at the entrance to a nature reserve, as well as one of the last remaining stands of old growth Douglas Fir forest in Northern California. Not surprisingly, conservation of forest resources was a fitting concept to apply to the project. Although the owners originally proposed a straw-bale building for the site, local rainfall averages of 80” annually, combined with damp winter conditions, prevented such a structure. Instead, a framed wood structure, clad with durable, relatively maintenance-free materials, was a better option. Specifying FSC-certified wood products and efficient framing were ideal ways to express conservation values and tell a story about stewardship of natural resources.
|
Project Name: Angelo Reserve Environmental Science Center
Location: Northern Mendocino County, CA
Building Type: Field Lab & Conference Building
Square Footage: 3500
Owner: University of California Natural Reserve System
Architect: Siegel & Strain Architects
Use of FSC-certified Wood
All “stick” framing lumber, except for lumber salvaged from deadfall on the forest reserve, was FSC-certified. Redwood battens and trim were FSC-certified, and cabinetry was made from plywood with FSC-certified veneers. FSC lumber represented approximately 50-60% of the total lumber cost of the project.
In addition to using FSC-certified lumber, several wood conserving strategies were employed for this project. All walls were “efficiently framed,” meaning they were framed at 24” on center, rather than the conventional 16” on center. This reduced wood use and thermal bridges in the wall while increasing insulation. Engineered lumber was specified for the roof framing, reducing the use of larger stick members. The porches were framed with wood poles and shaped lumber salvaged from Douglas Fir trees that had fallen in the Reserve. Cement fiber siding was used for purposes of durability, as well as to reduce the use of unsustainably harvested lumber. |
