Ranging from Californian Girl Scouts camp cabins to an Arkansan golf course clubhouse, a bustling Puget Sound ferry terminal to a buzzy Austin boutique hotel, the winning projects of the 2022 U.S. Wood Design Awards, presented by WoodWorks – Wood Products Council, yet again demonstrate that variety rules in leading-edge wood building design, or at least when it comes to type, size, and locale. Incorporating CLT panels and glulam beams, these superlative wood structures are all over the map and in the best way possible.
Jennifer Cover, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit WoodWorks, praised this year’s winning cohort for collectively highlighting “wood’s flexibility small and large.”
“Beyond the technical innovations achieved in these buildings, they are simply beautiful to look at,” said Cover. “They inspire tenants, passersby, and the industry at large–while demonstrating how the design and construction community is responding to the need for more sustainable construction.”
Among the architectural firms belonging to this year’s winning cohort are Lorcan O‘Herlihy Architects (LOHA), LMN Architects, and Gensler. Perkins&Will and Lake|Flato Architects were the most heavily awarded practices of the bunch, claiming three awards apiece in a program that included National Awards distributed across ten categories and a total of eight Regional Awards. Engberg Anderson Architects, a 2021 U.S. Wood Design Award winner, returned for the 2022 edition with a riverside event space in northeast Wisconsin that proudly touts its mass timber bona fides.
Portland, Oregon-based LEVER Architecture (another past winner) is the firm behind the 2022 Jury’s Choice Award-winning project: the new North American headquarters for German sportswear behemoth Adidas. Spanning 213,000 square feet, it is among the more sizable of the 18 total projects recognized by the awards jury. It is also one of six National Award-winning projects on the West Coast, a geographic edge seen in past award cycles.
“It’s a complex building and they developed a complex set of solutions. It’s a much more heavily programmed building than some of the others, which in itself represents challenges,” said Thang Do, a 2022 U.S. Wood Design Awards juror and CEO/principal of the San Jose, California-based Aedis Architects, of the new Adidas HQ in Portland. “I particularly love the thoughtfulness in terms of how mass timber was connected with other materials.”
Alongside Do, Jordan Komp, vice president and director of Thornton Tomasetti’s Milwaukee office and Steve Durham, executive vice president and Director of Collegiate Projects at the Houston office of Kirksey Architecture, also served on this independent jury panel for the U.S. Wood Design Awards, which is now in its seventh year.
Below are all 2022 U.S. Wood Design Awards winners, starting with the Jury’s Choice awardee. Included are basic project details along with a description of each project as provided by WoodWorks. A full gallery of all of this year’s awarded projects as well as winning projects from past award cycles can be viewed here.
Architect: LEVER Architecture Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers Owner/Developer: Adidas Contractor: Turner Construction
Project description: “Adidas used mass timber to create a strong Pacific Northwest identity when they expanded their North American headquarters with these two signature buildings. Each structure posed unique design challenges, yet architects were able to use mass timber for both while meeting schedule, budget, structural and aesthetic requirements. Design of the Gold Building, a five-story hybrid office structure, leveraged the 30-foot grid of the new parking structure below, combining concrete girders with prefabricated mass timber cassettes for speedy installation. Utilities run through the perforated girders, leaving visual focus on the exposed wood structure. With a gym, café and community space, the three-story Performance Zone Building used a lightweight post-and-beam timber frame, avoiding the need for a seismic retrofit of the existing garage below. Both buildings relied on prefabrication to meet Adidas’ strict 24-month deadline. Construction took place during a wet Portland winter, and coatings played a key role in protecting the wood.” 213,000 square feet total / Gold Building: Type III-A over a Type I-A podium, Performance Zone Building: Type III-A construction
Architect: Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects [LOHA] Structural Engineer: Labib Funk + Associates Owner/Developer: CIM Group Contractor: Suffolk Construction
Project description: “This striking structure uses setbacks, sloped walls, and other uncommon building forms to break down the bulk that is typical of most large housing projects, giving this 153-unit complex a contemporary edge. Instead of designing one large structure with a single facade, architects took advantage of the versatility of light-frame wood construction to incorporate non-stacking, non-traditional conditions into the project. The irregular geometry was framed primarily in wood, with bridges connecting three separate wedge-shaped portions of the complex. Structural wood walls are sloped and curved, utilizing curved sill and top plates; some are even kinked or bent at mid-height. 1500 Granville features ground-floor retail and restaurant spaces along with a mix of studios and one- to three-bedroom units. It also has a clubhouse, gym, pool, and outdoor courtyard areas. The distinctive structure, built along a busy stretch of Los Angeles roadway, changes expectations of what can be achieved beyond the norm with light-frame wood construction.” 312,200 square feet/ Type V-A construction
Architect: Perkins&Will Structural Engineer: DCI Engineers Owner/Developer: SKS Partners Contractor: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction
Project description: “The architects took advantage of mass timber’s long-span capabilities to design this iconic four-story structure, built on a challenging triangular site. Precisely fabricated glulam beams and columns connect seamlessly with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels using integrated connectors. The beams were notched, allowing the panels to sit flush with the top of the glulam to maximize floor-to-ceiling heights. The 25×30-foot grid was optimized for open office configurations, demonstrating the flexibility of mass timber for commercial spaces, which also contributed to leasing the building quickly. The wood structure was left visible to the exterior to make a statement about the importance of building systems with a light carbon footprint. A life cycle assessment of the project found the use of mass timber resulted in a 15 percent reduction of embodied carbon compared to a concrete structure. That number jumped to 51 percent by including biogenic carbon, resulting in a reduction of more than 2,500 metric tons of CO2 (equivalent) compared with other materials.” 134,000 square feet/ Type IV construction
Architect: Perkins&Will Structural Engineer: Risha Engineering Owner/Developer: Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles Contractor: Illig Construction Company
Project description: “The architects of Camp Lakota, a 57-acre getaway for the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, took a fresh approach to traditional A-frame timber design. The dining hall and six restroom buildings were built with light-frame wood construction, and glulam beams were used to create the dining hall’s expansive open space. Each of the 24 cabins was efficiently assembled from a flat-packed kit that included a type of cross-laminated timber (CLT) made from structural composite lumber and wood structural insulated panels (SIPs). Prefabrication simplified material transport and reduced on-site construction waste; crews were able to assemble up to a cabin a day. The cabins are elevated above ground on the CLT panels, which helped meet wildfire requirements. The decision to use mass timber also provided a 29 percent reduction in embodied carbon over the concrete slab-on-grade alternative. Designers focused on minimizing energy use in this remote location, in part through their choice of CLT and SIPs.” 17,825 square feet/ Type V-B construction
Architect: Integrated Design Solutions (architect of record and power plant), Ellenzweig (STEM addition) Structural Engineer: SDI Structures Owner/Developer: Michigan State University Contractor: Granger Construction
Project description: “More than 7,000 Michigan State University students walk through the doors of this building each week, giving MSU a chance to raise awareness of an innovative and sustainable building system while providing an enriching learning environment. The layout consists of two mass timber wings flanking the north and south ends of a repurposed power plant. The south wing houses “wet” teaching laboratories for biology, chemistry, and material science. The north wing houses “dry” teaching labs for physics and computer science. The hybrid design features three stories of glulam post-and-beam construction with steel diagonal bracing, and a structural steel penthouse for mechanical equipment. While the roof deck was built with 3-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT), designers chose atypical 4-ply panels for the floors instead of the more traditional 5-ply. This approach allowed them to preserve ceiling space and reduce the volume of wood required while still meeting span and vibration requirements. In the power plant, CLT structural floor decks were used anywhere new walking surfaces were needed, further linking it to the STEM wings.” STEM addition: 120,000 square feet/ Type III-B construction; Power plant: 62,000 square feet/ Type III-B construction
Architect: LMN Architects Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers Owner/Developer: Washington State Contractor: IMCO Construction
Project description: “This is the West Coast’s busiest ferry terminal, with more than 2 million vehicles and 4 million riders passing through each year. It is also Washington State’s first new ferry terminal in 40 years—and the design team chose to make a public statement about wood’s importance to the region. The project showcases cultural influences of the Pacific Northwest’s native people while using sustainable wood to support Washington’s commitment to environmental stewardship. The two-story design is a contemporary interpretation of a Native American longhouse. Wood and steel composite columns support double glulam rafters, purlins, and a cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof deck; Western Red cedar is used for the exterior cladding. The design team also chose wood framing for a separate structure sheltering the ticket booths. Artwork created by local Native American artists is displayed throughout the terminal, creating a strong connection to the tribal community and its history.” 8,684 square feet/ Type III-B construction
Architect: Perkins&Will Structural Engineer: StructureCraft Owner/Developer: D.C. Public Library Contractor: Turner Construction
Project description: “Constructed in the middle of a playground park, designers of this new public library used mass timber to create a unique building mass and distinctive interior space. The building’s unusual form is capped with a roofline inspired by the bold mid-century shapes found in the surrounding neighborhood. Folded plates made from dowel-laminated timber (DLT) panels are supported by glulam and steel beams to form the crinkled roof. While this type of roof design is not new, the use of DLT in a folded plate structure was, so the design team ran complex non-linear finite element analyses to predict stresses and structural behavior of the folded plates. The second floor features DLT panels resting on top of glulam beams and columns, and the mass timber elements were left exposed to the interior. The library earned LEED Platinum Certification.” 20,785 square feet/ Type V-B construction
Architect: Lake|Flato Architects Structural Engineer: StructureCraft (wood), Architectural Engineers Collaborative (steel, concrete) Contractor: MYCON General Contractors
Project description: “A heavy timber porte-cochère greets guests upon arrival at this boutique, urban hotel, setting the tone for its sustainable vibe. Four buildings surround two central courtyards; each features an exposed timber walkway and oversized exterior porches constructed using gapped timber panels set on glulam columns and beams. The deep overhangs and shaded porches encourage guests to use the common outdoor spaces, reducing energy demands inside. The building structure consists of dowel-laminated timber (DLT) panels which sit on light-frame wood bearing walls. By leaving the mass timber panels exposed as the hotel’s interior ceilings, designers reduced the need for finish materials while creating a signature guest experience. DLT also comprises the elevator and stair shafts. Wood used for the exterior circulation porches was stained with a natural finish, allowing the deck to weather gradually—an homage to the porches of nearby Texas Hill Country ranch homes.” 100,000 square feet/ Type V-A construction
Architect: Gensler Structural Engineer: Arup Owner/Developer: Alexandria Real Estate Equities Contractor: XL Construction
Project description: “Designed to provide shared amenity space for a group of biotech companies in South San Francisco, this beautiful structure features a café and dining space, lounge, meeting center, fitness facility, and private offices. While sustainability was a driving factor behind the overall development, and a key reason for choosing mass timber, wood added further value by creating a warm and beautiful gathering space. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are supported by an intricate, elegant glulam framing system, allowing the structure to also serve as finish. Because they wanted to display the material in its purest form, designers worked to hide connections and utilities as much as possible, allowing visual attention to focus on the wood itself while creating a single architectural expression. The mass timber structure features 20-foot double cantilevered overhangs that provide outdoor seating areas as well as solar protection to minimize heat gain, which helps contribute to the project’s net-zero energy goals.” 22,000 square feet / Type V-B construction
Architect: CO Adaptive Architecture Structural Engineer: A Degree of Freedom Owner/Developer: The Mercury Store Contractor: Yorke Construction
Project description: “Originally used as a metal foundry, this double A-frame, heavy timber and brick building was repurposed to provide much needed creative space for Brooklyn theater artists. While half the building was reconfigured through the addition of mass timber elements—to support gathering spaces, administrative offices and smaller studios—the other half was transformed by removing wood joists and floor plates to create a double-height space for theatrical rehearsals and performances. CLT panels and glulam beams and columns allowed the long spans and open layout needed to support the new program, and the wood joists removed to create the larger space were reclaimed and reused for architectural features. By avoiding demolition, retaining the existing structure, using mass timber elements for structural insertions, and reusing removed structural wood, the design team minimized the embodied carbon of new construction while allowing wood to remain as the dominant architectural feature.” 12,700 square feet/ II-A – Heavy Timber (NYC code)
Architect: Jacobs Structural Engineer: Jacobs Owner/Developer: City of Greenville Contractor: Thomas Construction Company Enterprises
Project description: “Extensive community involvement led to the use of wood in this LEED-certified transit hub, which connects the neighborhoods surrounding East Carolina University with downtown Greenville, a nearby medical school campus, and a growing historic ‘tobacco district.’ The project is part of a broader neighborhood revitalization effort, and the city chose mass timber to signify its commitment to sustainability and stewardship. The two-story timber- and steel-frame structure includes cross-laminated timber (CLT) roof and floor panels supported by CLT bearing walls; the lateral system consists of CLT shear walls and angled glulam bracing at the building’s perimeter. CLT panels were also used to construct the atrium stairs. Exterior canopies, designed to provide shelter for transit riders, were formed using steel columns and horizontal framing with CLT infill panels. The beautiful, exposed wood structure and large covered waiting areas provide safe, accessible space for passengers, and will serve as a hub for local and regional transportation for years to come.” 9,389 square feet/ Type IV-B construction
Architect: Opsis Architecture Structural Engineer: KPFF Consulting Engineers Owner/Developer: City of Hillsboro Contractor: Swinerton
Project description: “As one of the first mass timber community centers in the country, Hidden Creek demonstrates the effective use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in community center design. The cruciform plan emphasizes visual and physical connection, while the structure marries beauty and craft with functionality and sustainability. Situated within a 20-acre park and forest, the center offers a biophilic design that connects inside to out, while its scale and warmth welcome all in this ethnically diverse community. The design team took full advantage of cantilevers and multi-span beams to create open spaces, optimizing daylight and views while allowing staff to easily supervise activity spaces. The structural layout was carefully considered. In the east/west direction, a rigorous 13-foot-3-inch grid takes advantage of the economy and capacity of the CLT panels. The grid was modified to create a dramatic covered entry with a trio of 18-foot cantilevered double glulam beams supporting a 9-ply CLT deck. The north-south grid accommodates program elements that require increased loads and longer spans—including 90-foot glulam beams in the gymnasium.” 51,100 square feet/ Type III-B construction
Architect: Lowney Architecture Structural Engineer: DCI Engineers Owner/Developer: Tidewater Captial & Graves Hospitality Contractor: Suffolk Construction
Project description: “The Moxy brand, by Marriott International, seeks to entice urban travelers with hip, affordable rooms located in arts and entertainment districts. Moxy Oakland Downtown is the first in the U.S. to be built with modular wood-frame units—an approach that lends itself to the construction of boutique hotels on smaller urban sites. The hotel includes 172 rooms as well as a gym, rooftop bar, common space, and ground-floor retail. The seven-story project was built quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Five levels of factory-built wood-frame units were installed over a two-level concrete podium; 135 King rooms, five Accessible rooms, and five Bunk-Bed rooms were built, delivered, and stacked in just a few weeks. Oakland is in a high seismic zone, and stacked modular units comprise the overall seismic system. Wood floor and ceiling sheathing was used for the diaphragm, and wood-frame shear walls formed the vertical elements. Demonstrating the creative flexibility of modular systems, the team designed an articulated building exterior, helping the stylish hotel fit perfectly with its surroundings.” 72,000 square feet/ Type III-A construction
Architect: DLR Group Structural Engineer: DLR Group Owner/Developer: Murphy USA Contractor: Clark Construction
Project description: “The clean silhouette of this two-story clubhouse blends beautifully with the rolling, wooded hills of the Mystic Creek Golf Club, recognized as one of Arkansas’ premier courses. Inspired by the historic rural architecture of E. Fay Jones, the timber frame is infilled with glazing to allow daylight and views of nature within the space. Designers organized the clubhouse’s program and structural elements using an evenly spaced grid of local southern yellow pine glulam beams and wood roof decking. The expressive roof forms broad overhangs along the perimeter to provide outdoor shaded walkways and seating areas while still allowing unobstructed views. The design team also selected timber to reduce the building’s embodied energy; in addition to wood’s inherent carbon benefits, the exposed timber structure minimizes the need for additional finishes.” 8,400 square feet/ Type III-B construction
Architect: Oudens Ello Architecture Structural Engineer: LeMessurier Owner/Developer: Town of Norwell Contractor: M. O’Connor Contracting
Project description: “The designers of the Norwell Public Library used wood to convey a familiarity and warmth that puts visitors at ease, creating a comfortable, tranquil environment. Clean, simple lines form a single-story building with three wings surrounding a central courtyard garden. Changing scale from the intimate entrance, porch, and modest-height lobby to the generous reading rooms creates an intentional delayed enjoyment of surrounding forest views. The U-shaped structure is framed with a combination of mass timber—exposed in all major public spaces—and light wood framing. Influenced by AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence, the library’s design features an exceptional blend of functionality, beauty, and sustainability. The team was inspired by the need to create thoughtful architectural responses that facilitate social interaction, establish a sense of community, and contribute to the identity of place.” 21,700 square feet/ Type V-B construction
Architect: Engberg Anderson Architects Structural Engineer: CORE 4 Engineering Owner/Developer: Tanesay Development Contractor: C.D. Smith Construction
Project description: “The architects chose wood for this multi-use venue because they wanted a distinctive yet versatile space that could be configured for a variety of events, including weddings, receptions, conferences, and concerts. The two-story contemporary design features cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels, exposed glulam columns and beams, and tongue-and-groove structural roof decking. On the exterior, a dramatic, sloped roof cantilevers to provide shaded outdoor areas. Inside, an open staircase leads to the main event space, where 25-foot floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the Fox River. Having been tasked to appeal to diverse groups of people for many purposes, Poplar Hall demonstrates that good design can achieve multiple goals when driven by considerations for the human experience and thoughtful materiality.” 8,400 square feet/ Type V-B construction
Architect: Lake|Flato Architects (design architect), BOKA Powell (architect of record) Structural Engineer: StructureCraft, Danysh & Associates Owner/Developer: Hixon Properties Contractor: Byrne Construction
Project description: “Part of mixed-use development near San Antonio’s famed River Walk, this six-story mass timber office building provides a unique, flexible and beautiful workplace that appeals to tenants and incorporates forward-thinking technologies. The dramatic cantilevered roof, formed with dowel-laminated timber (DLT) panels supported by glulam columns and beams, was designed to highlight mass timber’s beauty against the city skyline. As the first building in the U.S. to integrate a heavy masonry facade with a mass timber structure, The Soto faced unique challenges that required creative solutions—such as precise detailing that prevents long-term deflection and provides a high-tolerance connection between the materials. To make the mass timber system more visible to pedestrians at street level, the columns were brought down to the concrete podium on the building’s exterior. DLT was also used for floor panels, exterior canopies, and lobby accents.” 140,000 square feet/ Type IV construction
Architect: Lake|Flato Architects, Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects Structural Engineer: KL&A Engineers and Builders Owner/Developer: University of Denver Contractor: PCL Construction
Project description: “Findings from an Integrated Design Workshop led the client and user groups to reach the same conclusion—that mass timber would help create a unique, authentic University of Denver experience by connecting students, employers, and alumni within a distinctive setting. The three-story center, which houses classrooms, offices, meeting rooms, and event spaces, features cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor panels, shear walls, core, and glulam columns and beams. CLT walls are left exposed on both sides of the stairs, elevator and shaft enclosures, allowing the mass timber’s beauty to remain visible while still providing the required fire resistance. Mass timber supports the University’s biophilic goals and desire to create a healthy and welcoming atmosphere. It also supports their commitment to sustainability. A life cycle assessment found that using timber on the project reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 50 percent compared with concrete or steel, avoiding 162 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.” 23,000 square feet/ Type III-B construction