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Wood Scores A+ in School Construction
Natural building material takes top honors for cost, aesthetics, and performance
Continuing Education
Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s Continuing Education article.
Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:
- Discuss how wood has been used as a structural and finish material in schools.
- Consider the effects of wood on human health and well-being in an educational environment.
- Describe the environmental and economical advantages wood brings to school construction.
- Explain how wood contributes to a school's green building goals.
Credits: 1.00 HSW/SD
The grades have been posted: Schools are finding that wood ranks at the top of the class when it comes to cost-effectiveness, with one Arkansas school district saving as much as $2.7 million by changing from structural steel to wood-frame construction. The educational community is taking note, not only of wood's material cost advantages, but its other attributes as well, such as speed of construction, design versatility and the ability to meet green building goals – while creating positive learning environments and meeting all code and safety requirements. "We often use wood in school designs – it's affordable, strong and durable," says Wendy Rogers, AIA, LEED AP, principal at LPA, Inc. in Sacramento, California. "Because it can function as a structural member and finished product, wood is a popular choice in school design." Gordon Whirry, of Gordon Whirry Architecture in Great Falls, Montana, also finds wood to be a good fit in an educational setting. "Many schools, particularly in higher education, are moving toward a more environmentally responsible approach to design and construction. Wood can complement this effort."
Wood Saves Money
When specifying wood in schools, architects say cost-effectiveness is a major reason – and wood helps the bottom line in several ways. In addition to lower material costs, wood building systems typically cost less to install than other materials, while meeting all of the same safety and performance requirements. Whether comprised of traditional wood framing, panelized products, or prefabricated assemblies, wood construction is fast, expediting project completion. "Schools are always working toward a fixed start date, and wood is a good choice when the construction schedule is compressed," says Scott Lockyear, senior technical director, school construction, at WoodWorks, an initiative of the Wood Products Council established to provide free project support and other resources related to the use of wood in non-residential and multi-family wood buildings. "There's no need to wait for shop drawings or steel fabrication. Deliveries and frame assembly tend to move rapidly, and most communities have a large pool of skilled tradespeople with wood framing experience, which minimizes construction delays and keeps labor costs competitive."
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Polytechnic School, Pasadena, California Photo by David Lena; Courtesy of HMC Architects |
