Kerf Apartments, Bellingham | USA
The 5-storey project in Bellingham, Washington | USA comprising 196 flats including 320 m2 of retail space was built with 775 m3 of binderholz CLT BBS and 475 m3 of binderholz glulam. Additionally, we provided the production modelling and pre-installation of joining means. Thanks to pre-installing the joining means we were able to achieve a high degree of prefabrication, which shortened construction time while retaining high quality and contributing to a dry, clean and low-noise construction.
FACTS
Project 196-flat residential complex
Location Bellingham, Washington, USA
Completion 2024
Client One Trent Real Estate Development
Construction company Dawson Construction
Architecture Clark Barnes
Engineering Fast + Epp
Material use 775 m3 of binderholz CLT BBS, 475 m3 of binderholz glulam
Where cosiness and comfort meet
Kerf Apartments was built in an environmentally friendly solid timber construction to present sustainable construction practice and promote the Pacific North-West's natural beauty. The flats are equipped with exposed beams and columns made from glulam as well as CLT BBS ceilings. The warm surfaces of these exposed solid timber elements and the excellent properties of the wood substance serving as a heat and moisture store offer a balanced residential ambience. The building contains studios, one and two bedroom flats as well as residential and work lofts close to the University of Western Washington. The residents can also make use of a large co-working lounge and a roof terrace with amazing views of Bellingham centre.
Timber as a construction material
Pre-installing the joining means resulted in a high degree of prefabrication which reduced construction time at high quality while contributing to a dry, clean and low-noise construction method. At the same time, the comparably slim solid wood construction resulted in a highly economical ratio between gross and net residential spaces. This fact is becoming more and more important in urban spaces due to its cost aspects. Moreover, wood is a sustainably grown raw material which safely stores carbon for many years which can also be ecologically recycled in its entirety.
The intelligent combination of solid wood and other building materials resulted in an economical hybrid solution merging traditional construction methods with the benefits of solid timber construction.
Photos: © One Trent Real Estate Development
