Founders Hall: A University Mass Timber Building Inspiring Future Generations
- Candra Burns
- Feb 6
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 6
How can a building embody a university's values, promote collaboration, and dramatically reduce its environmental impact? That’s the question the University of Washington (UW) sought to answer with its newest addition to the Foster School of Business, a building named Founders Hall. This 84,800-square-foot, five-story structure isn't just another classroom building; it's a testament to the power of mass timber construction, integrated design, and a commitment to sustainability. As Frank Hodge, Dean at the Foster School of Business, put it, "We want our newest building to signal what our values are when it comes to environmentally conscious design." - Think Wood
A Vision of University Mass Timber Building
Founders Hall is the first mass timber building on the UW campus. The project was driven by a need to expand the business school's capacity while creating a flexible, adaptable, and interactive space. However, the vision went beyond mere functionality, with the University wanting to create a building that reflected its deep commitment to sustainability.
The design team, led by LMN Architects, embraced mass timber as the perfect material to achieve these goals. Robert A Smith, LMN Architects, Principal, said, “I was the Principal and Project Manager for LMN Architects. I worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Bob Vincent and Ross Pouley as project managers for the design-builder and owner in the Integrated Design-Build delivery process from Project Definition through Post Completion with an emphasis on design team leadership.”
The Choice of Mass Timber - Multi-Faceted
The use of wood connects the building to the region's history and the local wood products industry, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. “The project is the first fully mass timber building on campus and embraces the University of Washington Green Building Standards; reducing carbon emissions by over 90%.” - Barbara Murray, Communications, Western Archrib
The structure features Douglas fir glulam columns and beams supporting cross-laminated timber (CLT) decking. A total of 2,109 cubic meters of mass timber were used, comprising 1,260 cubic meters of CLT and 849 cubic meters of glulam. The use of mass timber resulted in a 58% reduction in embodied carbon compared to a baseline building.
Design and Functionality
Founders Hall comprises three interconnected volumes: team collaboration spaces, administrative offices, and lecture halls, all connected by a five-story steel and wood feature stair. The building includes classrooms accommodating 70 to 135 students, team rooms, interview rooms, and gathering areas. A central five-story space with a striking mass timber staircase that facilitates interaction and creates a social hub. Spaces for various student-facing programs, including the undergraduate and graduate program offices, a center for research, and career services. The building also boasts a rooftop event space and outdoor terrace that face Denny Yard.
Overcoming Challenges Through Integrated Design-Build
The project wasn't without its challenges. Bob Vincent, Project Manager at Hoffman Construction Company, explained, “The bankruptcy of Katerra – our mass timber trade partner – was the largest hurdle for the project”. This required the team to find a new supplier, redesign the structure, and train Hoffman's carpenters to take over as installers. This is just one example of the project’s issues, including COVID-related delays and unforeseen hazardous materials.
“When Katerra defaulted there was approximately 1-1/2 floors worth of CLT that was not yet fabricated. It was a scramble by the entire project team to quickly find a new supplier that could meet the demands of the building in manufacturing ability, quality of raw wood, and readily available testing certifications. Selecting a new supplier that satisfied all of these needs allowed for a streamlined review of the transition by the AHJ and delivery of new CLT panels within 6 weeks.” - James Mahoney, PE, SE, LEED AP, Senior Associate, Magnusson Klemencic Associates
Despite these issues, the team met the challenge through a progressive design-build approach that integrated all stakeholders.
The team utilized Building Information Modeling (BIM) to develop a virtual big room environment. This allowed for clash detection, cost estimating, and real-time collaboration, ultimately leading to the discovery of prefabrication opportunities. They also used cost benchmarking and iterative design discussions to balance project goals and ensure the project stayed on budget. A risk log was created and updated throughout the project to address potential issues proactively.
Energy-Efficient Wins and Carbon Offset Needs
The building is projected to use 79% less energy and 53% less water than a comparable facility, and is the greenest building on campus. It achieved a 79% reduction in energy use intensity (EUI) and a 100% reduction in operational carbon.
497 metric tons of carbon were stored and this campus avoided 192 metric tons of carbon taking 146 cars off the road for a year.
The building envelope is designed for minimal air infiltration and thermal bridging, and with five times better performance than baseline air infiltration. Operable windows, ceiling fans, and automated night flushing reduce the need for air conditioning in offices. The building uses clean electricity and is not connected to the campus's steam system, eliminating fossil fuel use.
An Award-Winning Build
Like James Mahoney, Senior Associate of Magnusson Klemencic Associates, said, “I've been fortunate to give a few presentations and tours of the building since it opened, and it's been great to see the interest in the project and how it was accomplished from both occupants and outsiders.”
Founders Hall has garnered significant attention, winning several national and international awards.
Prix Versailles, World Selection
2023 AIA National Education Facility Design Award
2024 AIA Seattle Honor Awards, Energy in Design Award
2024 U.S. WoodWorks Wood Design Award for Wood in Architecture
Chicago Athenaeum, American Architecture Award, Honorable Mention
Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards, Honorable Mention (Learning Category)
Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards, Honorable Mention (Spaces and Places Category)
Founders Hall is more than just a building; it’s a living example of how innovative design, sustainable materials, and a collaborative approach can create a high-performing space that embodies an institution's values. This building is "a model for sustainable design at the UW," according to the Think Wood organization. By combining mass timber construction with integrated design principles, the project team has delivered a building that reduces environmental impact and promotes a welcoming, collaborative environment for the Foster School of Business. As the team noted, the building showcases a "commitment to decarbonization, biophilic design, climate action, and honoring the native land on which this facility is built."
Project Team:
Architect: LMN Architects
Fire Engineer: Holmes US
Timber Finishes: Sansin
Accessibility: Studio Pacifica
Glulam Supplier: Western Archrib
Environmental Graphics: Advent
Acoustics: The Greenbusch Group
Graphics/Signage: Studio Matthews
Plumbing Engineer: Burman Design
Lighting Design: HLB Lighting Design
MEP Engineer: PAE Consulting Engineers
Civil Engineer: Mayfly Engineering & Design
Mass Timber Supplier: Mercer Mass Timber
Commissioning: Wilson Jones Commissioning
Design-Build Contractor: Hoffman Construction Company
Landscape Architect: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol
Mass Timber Consulting: Mass Timber Consulting
Connectors and Screws: Simpson Strong-Tie
Structural Engineer: Magnusson Klemencic Associates
LEED Administration and Energy Modeler: O’Brien360
Envelope Consultant: Morrison Hershfield with McClintock Façade Consulting
Design-Build Trade Partners: Pellco Construction, Steelkorr, Performance Contracting, Inc., McKinstry, VECA, Herzog Glass, OpenSquare, Schindler
This is a partial list of all the individuals and organizations contributing to the UW Founder’s Hall project. In the comments section, please let us know if you contributed in any way.
Candra Burns Editor's Note: University of Washington is a staple in Western Washington state. We are the evergreen state known for coniferous trees, but also known for the apple cup, our state fruit with the Cougars and the Huskies clashing each Fall in football. Being raised on the coast, I attended a high school that played the Oregon Duck’s fight song. This gave us a chance as high school students to earn credits in colleges. I was in UW English classes that tested my writing limits and gave me the foundation of writing I have kept today.
FAQs
What is mass timber and why was it used in Founders Hall? Mass timber is an engineered wood product known for its strength, sustainability, and carbon sequestration properties. It was used in Founders Hall to reduce the building's embodied carbon, create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and connect the building to the Pacific Northwest's wood industry.
How does Founders Hall achieve its high level of energy efficiency? Founders Hall uses a combination of strategies, including a high-performance building envelope, passive cooling systems like operable windows and ceiling fans, automated night flushing, and a fossil fuel-free electrical system.
What were the main challenges faced during the construction of Founders Hall? The project faced several challenges, including the bankruptcy of the original mass timber supplier, COVID-related delays, and unforeseen hazardous materials on the site.
What is the significance of the building's design, including the exposed wood elements? The exposed mass timber structure creates a biophilic and welcoming environment. It also serves as an architectural expression of the building's sustainability and connection to the region's history and the local wood products industry.
What is "Target Value Design," and how was it used in this project? Target Value Design establishes quality expectations and target values for different building systems at the beginning of a project. This method was used to keep project costs aligned with the budget and help the team make informed trade-offs throughout the project.
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