Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center, Clemson University

Wood and steel worked together in the design of this lakefront recreation complex for Clemson University students. The center features social space, rooms for activities such as yoga, rowing and aerobics, as well as traditional classrooms. Students can also check out camping, biking and boating gear. As Clemson’s first mass timber facility, the Center features CLT floors, roof and shear walls, supported by glulam beams and steel columns. The southern yellow pine CLT panels were manufactured in nearby Dothan. Designers left the structural wood members exposed, eliminating the need for almost all ceiling finishes, which helped reduce construction material and labor costs. The expansive roof’s large overhangs provide shade for terraces where students can relax outside. Visual warmth of the exposed wood speaks to the function of the facility, emphasizing its role in promoting fitness and wellness for Clemson students. While the Center was designed primarily to promote student wellness, its use of wood also reflects the positive connection between sustainability, concern for the environment and a love of outdoor activities. 16,000 sf / Type V-B construction