" The texture of the exposed NLT is quite beautiful ."
PROJECTS
T3 has broken new ground and is leading the way for future mass timber buildings .
Bob Pfefferle , Hines ’ director , in an interview with a local newspaper , says , “ This will have the ambiance of the old warehouses with timber beams that everyone wants , but solves all the problems of energy efficiency and light .”
Timber frame construction has been praised as an environmentally responsible choice . In addition to being made from sustainable lumber , which is less energyintensive to extract , the building will sequester about 3 200 tons of carbon . However , mass timber construction has been slow to take off – T3 , for example , was supposed to break ground back in November 2015 . Thankfully , a slew of timber-framed buildings is set to open in the next year – perhaps ushering in a new era of downtown towers .
As a result of its wood structure , T3 was erected at a speed exceeding conventional steel-framed or concrete buildings . In less than 10 weeks , 180 000 square feet ( about 1 672m 2 ) of timber framing went up , averaging 30 000 square feet ( about 2 787m 2 ) of floor area installed per week . It is also lighter than comparable steel or concrete structures , reducing the depth and extent of excavation and foundations . Additionally , the embodied carbon in the building ’ s wood structural system is lower than that found in conventional buildings found throughout most of downtown Minneapolis and the North Loop .
The building ’ s aesthetic success can also be attributed
" The texture of the exposed NLT is quite beautiful ."
to the mass timber construction . Candice Nichol , MGA associate and T3 project lead , says , “ The texture of the exposed NLT is quite beautiful . The small imperfections in the lumber and slight variation in colour of the mountain pine beetle wood only add to the warmth and character of the new space .” Extensive exterior glazing at every level as well as views into the ground level social workspace with wood furniture , booths and a feature stair , allow the public to experience the building .
The use of wood is celebrated throughout the building . “ The entire timber structure of T3 was intentionally left exposed and illuminated with interior lighting directed up to the ceiling ,” Nichol says . “ At night , the illuminated wood will glow through the exterior openings .”
T3 is currently the largest completed mass timber building in the US . With changing building codes throughout North America , tall wood buildings will become more common . A pioneer in this building type , T3 has broken new ground and is potentially a prototype for future commercial mass timber buildings .
30 FEB / MARCH 2017 //