small part to Timberlab’s involvement. Timberlab came on board in early 2019, taking on a pivotal role in bringing this massive project to life. “By the time we finish the next phase, we’ll have been working on this project for almost seven years,” says the company’s president, Chris Evans.“That’s an immense amount of time for a single construction project, but its scale is unlike anything else.” The numbers alone are staggering: the roof spans 400,000 square feet and includes over 400 glulam beams, each 80 feet long and curved—a feat never attempted at this scale in the United States. Beyond the beams, the roof features 36,000 pieces of latticework, each uniquely cut and fastened to create a stunning design visible beneath the surface. But the project isn’t just remarkable for its size. “Almost all of the timber used in the project is FSCcertified and locally sourced,” Dicke says. “Most of the wood comes from within 180 miles of the job site. We can trace it back to 11 different landowners, which is extraordinary.” EAST COUNTY LIBRARY Another such project is the East County Library in Portland, a cornerstone of an area that has historically been underserved. “The East County Library is a landmark project for us,” says Dicke.“It’s a 100,000 square foot facility, the first major investment in East County, a traditionally lower-income, underrepresented community.” The library, designed by Holst Architecture, features a mass timber design that adds a touch of modernity and warmth to the building. Timberlab has been involved from the early stages, working closely with the general contractor and providing design assistance, prefabrication, and coordination for over a year and a half. Now, the project is entering an exciting phase. “Construction has just started, and we’re laying columns and beams,” Dicke shares. “All the hard work we’ve put into prefabrication, manufacturing, and coordination is now coming to life on-site.” Timberlab’s Portland-based fabrication facility has played a crucial role in bringing this project to fruition. By November, the structure is expected to be complete, adding a new chapter to the company’s portfolio and the library’s community. TACKLING THE HOUSING SQUEEZE WITH PREFABRICATION AND TIMBER INNOVATION While Timberlab’s primary focus remains on largescale commercial and institutional projects, the company is beginning to explore ways to apply its expertise in prefabrication and mass timber to 176 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10
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