Waechter Architecture completes "all

May 05, 2023

Waechter Architecture has completed an "all-wood" commercial building in Portland, which it says is the first commercial building in Oregon to "use mass timber construction for all components of the building".

The building, called Mississippi has structural elements made from cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and glued-laminated timber (glulam) beams.

Apart from the exterior weathering steel "rain jacket", rock wool insulation, and radiant concrete flooring, all of the surfaces of the building are exposed wood, "without any need for additional finishes or fireproofing".

The three-storey structure comprises six volumes arrayed around a central courtyard. The building is meant to be "elemental and uncomplicated" and be a model for "an industrial loft for the 21st Century," according to the studio.

The construction process was modular with a cross-section that is "basically the same everywhere".

On the southern edge of the site, the walls were assembled on-site horizontally and then tilted into place. The rest of the structure – walls decking, and beams – were erected and later clad with the weathering steel exterior.

The 888-square-metre building accommodates an array of uses through various communal amenities such as the ground-level cafe and centralised open-air courtyard, bicycle parking and service area, a maker space, and other workshop spaces for various means of creative production.

The second and third floors hold office spaces and apartments.

"Our overall strategy for Mississippi was to use materials simply, honestly, and in a way that balances economy, the efficiency of construction, and ease of maintenance with a desire for durability and architectural character," the studio told Dezeen.

"One of the challenges of all mass timber and other non-cavity wall construction is finding ways to keep surfaces as free from penetrations and anchorings as possible."

"But it's also an opportunity to explore approaches that are fairly unprecedented in projects of this type and size."

With the aid of KPFF Consulting Engineers, the studio was able to ensure that all of the construction materials used were rated for high efficiency, resulting in an all-electric, VOC and refrigerant-free building with hydronic heating and cooling systems.

Operable windows were also arranged around the building.

Mechanics for heating and cooling run through a topping slab that incorporates power and data distribution.

The system fulfils requirements for workplace, residential, and retail configurations, allowing complete functionality for the multi-purpose program.

Having begun the project back in 2010, the studio took part in extensive research and performed various investigations before coming to develop an "all-wood" approach.

Its goal was to create a space that followed a simple and direct constructive logic meanwhile maintaining a sense of rhythm and restraint through design expression.

"We see our design ethic and approach as an integrated and adaptive framework that can be applied to projects of any type or condition," the studio told Dezeen.

"Mississippi is something of an exploration and test case that stems from Waechter's firm-wide interest in formal, material, and experiential clarity. We see our design ethic and approach as an integrated and adaptive framework that can be applied to projects of any type or condition."

The studio has received funding from a USDA Wood Innovation Grant to map the buildings' performance.

In March 2023, Dezeen launched a series covering the state of mass timber called Timber Revolution that included roundups, interviews and opinions on the past, present and future of engineered wood construction.

Led by Ben Waechter, Waechter Architecture has completed a number of projects in the Pacific Northwest of the United States including a hotel made from a campus of cabins in Washington State and a renovated century-old house with a bright-red facade.

The photography is by Lara Swimmer.

Project credits:

Architecture, interiors, construction manager: Waechter ArchitectureMass timber fabrication: KLH Massivholz (USA/Austria)Mass timber installation: Mustang RidgeCivil and structural engineer: KPFFMechanical/electrical/plumbing engineer: PAECode/fire protection: Code UnlimitedConstruction management: Owen Gabbert LLC, Cutwater Design & Build SolutionsLandscaping: Cistus NurseryClient/operator: 4224 N Mississippi LLCPhotography: Lara Swimmer

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

Atelier Guy uses mass-timber structure for Canadian wood ...

Ao-ft inserts mass-timber home into London terrace

OMA develops "wood plug and play system" for 30 Amsterdam ...

Dezeen In Depth features Yasmeen Lari on why "an architect's ...

SOM designs "sinuous" mass-timber building for New York ...

"Timber will not save us and concrete will not end us" says ...

Ten significant mass-timber buildings that changed the way ...

World's tallest timber tower replaced by forest growth "in ...

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy