Lewis & Clark College

The Fowler Student Center at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, is a 40,000-square-foot facility that underwent a major renovation, completed in 2022. Emphasizing sustainability and modern design, the building features mass timber construction, incorporating cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams. This innovative use of wood provides a warm, natural aesthetic while contributing to the college’s sustainability goals. The center houses a variety of student services, including dining, meeting spaces, and a bookstore, spread across three stories. With its eco-friendly design, the Fowler Student Center sets a new standard for campus buildings, combining functionality with an inviting atmosphere for student life. The project was led by Bremik Construction and designed by ZGF Architects, showcasing the growing trend of mass timber in higher education construction.

The building features exposed mass timber floors, beams and columns. The dining hall will also showcase mass timber with custom-sized Glulam fins and multi-level Glulam columns. Kalesnikoff supplied 3-ply and 5-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels in SPF supported by DFL Glulam beams and columns. We also provided custom steel connections for pre-cut Glulam beams and custom panel sizing with daps cut for spline connections. Mass timber was chosen for its environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, as well as its strength, efficiency, and speed of construction, aligning with the college’s goals for a sustainable, high-performance building.