Wilson School of Design lauded for use of hybrid materials
October 24, 2018
The Wilson School of Design recently appeared in the October issue of Canadian Architect, noting the hybrid use of concrete, wood, glass, and drywall on the inside.
The location of the job site informed the structure as infirm soils and seismic conditions required that the school be built lightly.
“The result is a post-and-beam wood structure with steel decking on a concrete raft slab, compared to a ship by architects,” notes Canadian Architect.
Designed by KPMB Architects and Public Architecture + Communication, Fast + Epp engineered a glulam post and beam frame with exposed cast in place concrete cores. Concrete-metal composite decking spans over the glulam frame, with much of the buildings electrical systems integrated into it.
“The building’s mass timber legs poke out from under its taut skirt, so they were finished with a Sikkens stain to prevent rotting or fading,” notes Canadian Architect. “The wood looks pencil-yellow – fitting for a school focused on the process and potential. The tinted wood highlights the structure’s syncopated rhythm, which figuratively glues the school together by exposing some wood structure in almost every space. The timber is secretive about its detailing, with connections that appear boltless, hidden by a click-together assembly.”
The school celebrated its grand opening in April 2018.