PACCAR Environmental Technology Building Pullman, Washington higher education facility design, American architecture images

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University

Pullman Education Facility Development at WSU design by LMN Architects: American Interdisciplinary Research

Aug 7, 2017

Design: LMN Architects

Location: Pullman, Washington, USA

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building

WSU PACCAR

Photos by Ed LaCasse

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building

Interdisciplinary Research Building Helps Students Tackle Sustainability Challenges

WSU PACCAR

The $52.8 million PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington brings to life the vision of WSU’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture and the pursuit of interdisciplinary research related to sustainability concerns. The 96,000-square-foot project is a collaboration between designers LMN Architects and general contractor Skanska.

WSU PACCAR

WSU PACCAR

The four-story building serves five of WSU’s long-standing research and development centers, all dedicated to tackling multi-faceted environmental issues through interdisciplinary collaboration. “What’s exciting about this project is how it sums up so much of what contemporary education is about—collaboration, exploration…a true interdisciplinary approach—the whole project is essentially one giant laboratory,” notes Mark Reddington, FAIA, Partner at LMN.

WSU PACCAR WSU PACCAR

Conceptually, the building merges the spirit of collaboration with the exploration of materiality. Functionally, the building is formed by two distinct elements: a “workhorse bar” housing secure laboratories, offices, and student workstations; and a “showcase bar” that presents the program’s work to the campus community with transparent program spaces, including a heavy materials lab, a double-height seminar room, and a flexible design studio.

WSU PACCAR WSU PACCAR

The intersection of the two bars creates a “Town Square,” a lounge and cafe that serve as the social hub of the program and where the general public and researchers can intermingle and enjoy views of the campus, the Palouse, and the active spaces.

WSU PACCAR

The western portion of the building, including the Simpson Strong-Tie® Research and Testing Laboratory, is framed in engineered wood products including cross-laminated timber (CLT), as well as glue-laminated timber and laminated-veneer lumber. The history of these engineered wood products is intricately tied to WSU.

WSU PACCAR

WSU PACCAR

One of the research centers, the Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC), is the modern successor to the Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, which was founded at WSU in 1949 and was instrumental in the development of the billion-dollar industry of up-cycling wood waste from the timber industry. “It is exciting to be involved in a project that, at its essence, is about pushing the boundaries of what the future holds for building materials.” says Reddington.

WSU PACCAR

Captured rainwater satisfies 85 percent of the non-potable water demand, and daylight is calibrated through digitally-modeled sunshades making glare-free, panoramic views possible. Occupying a key site in the future growth of WSU’s academic core, the building sets a precedent for the character of the university’s built environment destined for this part of campus. The design emphasizes a neighborhood feel that promotes walkability, street-level encounters, and connections to the natural landscape. The project is LEED Gold Certified.

WSU PACCAR WSU PACCAR
Research and education programs housed in the building:
The Center for Environmental Research, Education, and Outreach (CEREO)
The Composite Materials and Engineering Center (CMEC)
The Institute for Sustainable Design (ISD)
The Laboratory for Atmospheric Research (LAR)
The Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA)
The State of Washington Water Research Center (SWWRC)

WSU PACCAR

Photography: Ed LaCasse

PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University images / information received 070817

LMN Architects

Location: Pullman, Washington, USA

American University Buildings

American University Buildings

Contemporary American University Building Designs – recent architectural selection from e-architect below:

Clifton Court Hall, College of Arts & Sciences, Cincinnati, Ohio
Architects: LMN Architects
Clifton Court Hall, University of Cincinnati, Ohio
photo : Tim Griffith
Clifton Court Hall, University of Cincinnati

Founders Hall at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Seattle, Washington
Design: LMN Architects
Founders Hall University of Washington Seattle
photo : Tim Griffith
Founders Hall, University of Washington

Business Innovation Building, Asa Packer campus, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Architects: VMA
Business Innovation Building, Lehigh University, Pennsylvania

University of California Housing, San Diego
Design: Carrier Johnson + CULTURE
University of California Housing

University Medical Center Princeton Hospital, New Jersey
Design: RMJM Hillier / HOK
University Medical Center Princeton Hospital

Vanport Building Portland State University

University of Arizona Library Renovations

University Buildings

American Architecture Designs

American Architectural Designs – recent selection from e-architect:

America Architecture News – latest building updates

US Architecture News

American Houses

American Architect

American Architecture

American Architects

Comments / photos for the PACCAR Environmental Technology Building at Washington State University – WSU design by LMN Architects, WA, USA, page welcome.