PACCAR Environmental Technology Building / LMN Architects

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Chair, BeamPACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Stairs, HandrailPACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - WindowsPACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - BeamPACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - More Images+ 19

  • Architects: LMN Architects
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  96000 ft²
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2017
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Ed LaCasse
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  Morin Corp., DAMS Inc, Geometrik, Guardian Glass, Kawneer, Kewaunee Scientific, Mecho Systems, Mid Canada Millwork, Mutual Materials, Shaw, Structurlam, United Tile, Western Wood Structures
PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Windows
© Ed LaCasse

Text description provided by the architects. The $52.8 million PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington brings to life the vision of WSU’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture and the pursuit of interdisciplinary research related to sustainability concerns. The 96,000-square-foot project is a collaboration between designers LMN Architects and general contractor Skanska. The four-story building serves five of WSU’s long-standing research and development centers, all dedicated to tackling multi-faceted environmental issues through interdisciplinary collaboration. “What’s exciting about this project is how it sums up so much of what contemporary education is about—collaboration, exploration…a true interdisciplinary approach—the whole project is essentially one giant laboratory,” notes Mark Reddington, FAIA, Partner at LMN.

Site Plan

Conceptually, the building merges the spirit of collaboration with the exploration of materiality. Functionally, the building is formed by two distinct elements: a “workhorse bar” housing secure laboratories, offices, and student workstations; and a “showcase bar” that presents the program’s work to the campus community with transparent program spaces, including a heavy materials lab, a double-height seminar room, and a flexible design studio. The intersection of the two bars creates a “Town Square,” a lounge and cafe that serve as the social hub of the program and where the general public and researchers can intermingle and enjoy views of the campus, the Palouse, and the active spaces.

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Chair, Beam
© Ed LaCasse
PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Stairs, Handrail
© Ed LaCasse

The western portion of the building, including the Simpson Strong-Tie® Research and Testing Laboratory, is framed in engineered wood products including cross-laminated timber (CLT), as well as glue-laminated timber and laminated-veneer lumber. The history of these engineered wood products is  intricately tied to WSU. One of the research centers, the Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC), is the modern successor to the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, which was founded at WSU in 1949 and was instrumental in the development of the billion-dollar industry of up-cycling wood waste from the timber industry. “It is exciting to be involved in a project that, at its essence, is about pushing the boundaries of what the future holds for building materials.” says Reddington.

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Chair, Table
© Ed LaCasse
Diagram
PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Beam
© Ed LaCasse

Captured rainwater satisfies 85 percent of the non-potable water demand, and daylight is calibrated through digitally-modeled sunshades making glare-free, panoramic views possible. Occupying a key site in the future growth of WSU’s academic core, the building sets a precedent for the character of the university’s built environment destined for this part of campus. The design emphasizes a neighborhood feel that promotes walkability, street-level encounters, and connections to the natural landscape. The project is LEED Gold Certified.

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building  / LMN Architects - Windows, Facade
© Ed LaCasse

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Project location

Address:Pullman, WA 99163, United States

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "PACCAR Environmental Technology Building / LMN Architects" 04 May 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/870491/paccar-environmental-technology-building-lmn-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Ed LaCasse

PACCAR 环境技术建筑/ LMN建筑事务所

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