Case Studies of Innovative Glulam Homes

Glulam is an impressive engineering material that often outdoes steel in terms of performance. Not only is its strength impressive, but glulam’s flexibility allows builders to create large open spaces without the need for numerous columns.

One project in Alexandria where glulam was utilized was for creating an open space with an 11 to 16 foot span, using prefabricated panels and connectors milled offsite to reduce construction time on site.

Case Study 1

Glue-laminated timber, better known by its acronym glulam, is an innovative material ideal for large span structures. Constructed by adhering wood laminations together using durable glue, this innovative material comes in various shapes and sizes to suit architectural designs while offering spacious yet inviting environments. Furthermore, eco-friendly projects often choose this eco-friendly choice because it uses renewable wood sources that have lower carbon footprints than other building materials.

Glulam is both versatile and aesthetically pleasing, making it the perfect material to choose for beach homes or mountain retreats. Glulam can be formed to fit in seamlessly with its surroundings or used to add contrast and texture. Furthermore, its combination with other materials such as glass cladding or skylights makes the building even more eye-catching and distinct.

Utilizing glulam in beach and mountain homes has another key benefit – promoting healthier living environments. Studies have revealed that residents living in wooden houses sleep better and experience less stress than those residing in concrete structures. Furthermore, its ability to regulate temperature and humidity makes glulam an excellent choice for homes situated in humid climates.

Akshat Bhatt designed this home, located in Vagator, North Goa and built from Canadian Douglas Fir glulam/mass timber frame construction. Prefabricated offsite to reduce construction time and labor costs; beams were joined together using steel connectors, while Rockwool provided thermal and sound insulation for an energy-efficient home environment.

The M.O.R.E Cabin is a modern interpretation of classic cottage design. It reframes this concept by distancing itself from its surrounding landscape while still allowing nature-inspired touches through use of glulam wooden beams that support roof. Furthermore, unlike typical cottages which resemble woodsy suburban homes more closely connected with nature than others do, this cabin challenges any idea that appearing more naturally aligned means lower environmental impact.

Case Study 2

Glulam beams are widely recognized for their superior strength and stability, enabling builders and architects to reduce steel consumption costs while increasing aesthetic appeal in their structures. Their use allows builders and architects to create open, airy spaces that are both welcoming and comfortable; many builders and architects opt to incorporate them in their projects.

Glulam’s advantages include unique design options, sustainable approaches to healthy living spaces, reduced construction costs and protection of the built environment. Furthermore, its use creates jobs in the forestry and manufacturing sectors while supporting local economies through job creation in these sectors. Furthermore, its environmental-friendliness means it requires less energy for production and transport compared with other building materials.

Case Study A Home in Alexandria used glulams to span 14 to 16 feet without compromising aesthetics or structural integrity, using five and a half by twelve glulams with knee plates and rib plates as support structures. Despite their wide span, builders managed to maintain a consistent appearance using five half by twelve glulams without altering its look by employing various techniques including knee plates and rib plates.

Wood Innovation and Design Centre’s designers utilized curved glulams to achieve the desired structural form by using a custom connection system which allowed continuous beams with reduced bending demand – an example of how modern materials such as glulam can help achieve complex designs that cannot be achieved with traditional materials. This project shows just how far glulam can go in meeting complex design goals.

University of British Columbia conducted a recent research project exploring the viability of using framing softwood recovered from building deconstruction as feedstock for structural glulam production. The process involved sourcing this timber, characterizing and processing it further before manufacturing six laminated beams as part of this production line and performing a demonstration test on them.

This project was part of the revitalized Case Study House initiative, first begun in 1945 to address housing shortages with innovative architecture characterized by elegant simplicity and replicability. Today’s initiative seeks to reconstruct homes affected by fire in communities where these have occurred with designs tailored specifically to local character that have already been approved for multiple parcel construction reducing permit time and costs significantly.

Case Study 3

Architects for this glulam-and-cross-laminated-timber project aimed to design a structure that blends into its rugged mountain environment. The building’s natural wood finish creates an inviting ambiance, while an open floor plan offers space for meetings and collaboration. Furthermore, unique curved glulam beams were employed to support its soaring ceiling for an indoor/outdoor atmosphere.

Glulam (glued laminated timber) can be used to construct structures of virtually any size and shape, and its sustainable nature means it has a lower carbon footprint than steel and concrete construction materials. Furthermore, glulam framing materials offer stronger construction qualities with shorter lifespans while creating customized designs by shaping it into forms for unique uses.

One of the main advantages of glulam is its ability to span long distances, enabling designers to create open and airy spaces. Furthermore, using glulam allows more windows and glass panels to increase energy efficiency as well as enhance visual appeal of buildings. Finally, its easy assembly and durability makes glulam an excellent choice for both commercial and residential properties alike.

Glulam offers another advantage over masonry: fire resistance. Unlike its counterpart, masonry walls, glulam beams do not melt when exposed to flame, helping limit fire and smoke spread throughout a building – particularly useful in high-rise buildings where fire could quickly spread to multiple floors at once and threaten lives on subsequent floors of occupancy.

Structurlam provided recycled lumber from deconstructing an old restaurant to construct this glulam for this project, creating the first of its kind in India and demonstrating an array of uses for engineered mass timber products like this glulam used to construct wall panels, systems-integrated CLT floor panels, and even an unconventional roof that blends gymnasium geometry with more fluid, curving lines.

Verstas Architects of Finland designed this Finnish school’s glulam frame to complement its natural forest surroundings, featuring lush landscaping outside and an appealing low-rise, sloped roof. Additionally, its curved walls and roof allow natural light to enter, creating an engaging learning environment; furthermore its natural wood finish adds elegance while improving energy efficiency.

Case Study 4

Glulam, or glued laminated timber, is an engineered wood product manufactured through bonding individual pieces of lumber together and producing a strong yet uniform beam with endless architectural applications. Common uses for glulam include creating open spaces impossible with traditional wood frames while its ability to endure large amounts of structural stress make it ideal for high-rise buildings or structures where its beams will be exposed to the elements.

Glulam’s design versatility enables architects and builders to express their artistic vision. In addition, glulam is also cost-effective material used in many building applications – often less costly than steel and concrete due to reduced production requirements and on-site modification requirements.

Glulam also contributes to the sustainability of built environments by encouraging renewable materials use, stimulating economic development in both forestry and manufacturing sectors, while boasting superior fire resistance among building materials while producing less greenhouse gas than steel or concrete.

Glulam’s thermal properties make it an invaluable component of an energy-efficient building envelope assembly. Most commonly, post-manufacturing of glulam involves pairing it with additional insulation material in order to optimize performance and ensure optimal results.

Verstas Architects chose glulam for the saunalahti School in Finland designed by Verstas Architects to highlight the natural beauty of its mountain environment while meeting all necessary structural and seismic standards. By selecting this material, Verstas was able to design an open space with aesthetic appeal while still meeting all applicable structural and seismic regulations.

Glulam can also be used to create attractive and practical structures in coastal environments. At Artius, our screened porches feature durable yet aesthetically pleasing glulam frames which create spacious living areas not limited by traditional wood frames.