In 2022, Zip-O-Laminators contributed to the construction of the University of Southern Maine’s Career and Student Success Center, a key project aligned with the university’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
This 42,000-square-foot, three-story building serves as a hub for students, faculty, employers, and the community. It is a hybrid structure combining steel and timber, with 17,000 square feet made entirely of mass timber.
Timberlab provided design-build services for the mass timber structure.
Zip-O-Laminators supplied FSC-certified glulam beams and columns.
Due to the complex integration of steel and wood, precision was paramount, requiring sophisticated CNC-fabricate connections.
Zip-O-Laminators’ capabilities in custom glulam fabrication, especially for hybrid structures, played a vital role in the project’s success.
Challenges & Solutions
During construction, unforeseen issues with some beams required quick replacements to avoid delays.
Zip-O-Laminators responded swiftly by producing four additional beams in less than a week, ensuring that the project stayed on schedule.
Results
The Career & Student Success Center was completed on time and is certified to the USGBC LEED standard. The building represents a significant step forward in USM’s sustainability goals while offering an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional construction methods.
This project showcases Zip-O-Laminators’ expertise in mass timber construction and their ability to meet tight schedules with high-quality custom glulam solutions.
© Photo credits: Timberlab