“We have a mantra in our finish department- would you want this beam in your living room? The goal is to take pride in each glulam as if it were your own. A bit more pressure when it’s a house of God, but our crew recognized that and did an amazing job."
In 2023, Zip-O-Laminators was asked to handle the glulam needs for the George Fox University Chapel; a new space created for spiritual growth and contemplation as well as for the undergraduate community to worship together. The project spanned 7,000 sqft and required over 150 exposed beams and columns, mostly in wider sizes which can pose challenges in sourcing and securing fiber. As with any successful project, Zip-O-Laminators was fortunate to work with an amazing group of partners led by Western Wood Structures who handled detailed 3D modeling for clash detection and coordination with steel components with Cascadia Structural handling all the fabrication.
Project Design & Implementation
As with any highly exposed project, Zip-O-Laminators approach begins with sourcing. Choosing the right raw materials is crucial to any manufacturer’s success. Once a nearly confirmed billet list was available, Zip-O-Laminators got underway in allocating the right resources for the job starting with select tight knot lamstock.
By using higher quality lumber, Zip-O could limit the amount of additional finishing work required and eliminate additional wood fillers and patches that can take away from the natural beauty and aesthetics that wood provides. There was pride in this project on all fronts, including at Western Wood Structures where Alicia Wong, a 2013 George Fox graduate, led the management of both the 3D modeling and 2D documentation for the project, giving back to her alma mater with the experience she had amassed with the education they had provided.
Highlights
Highly exposed beams
10-3/4” wide columns
STK lamstock sourcing
Challenges & Solutions
Although the project did not require extraordinarily long or large members, producing highly exposed beams for a place of worship does pose its own set of challenges. Hand selecting and pre-grading lamstock was crucial in ensuring that the glulams would be at the level of quality needed for a successful job. Zip-O-Laminators keeps a detailed inventory of where there lamstock is from in addition to how much they have to allow them the flexibility to identify and assign/set aside the appropriate lumber for the appropriate job.
Results
The glulam beams manufactured by Zip-O-Laminator not only helped ensure a successful project for all parties involved, it helped George Fox University achieve it’s goal. Creating a physical representation of their mission, a centerpiece of their faith commitment, and a place for their entire community to celebrate and practice the spiritual disciplines.