signature structures
Our Approach StructureCraft is a unique team of engineers and builders who deliver high quality architectural structures. We work together with clients and architects to design, fabricate and erect carefully detailed building and bridge structures in timber, steel, glass, and other materials. We are craftsmen who enjoy applying ourselves to challenges which break new ground in sophistication and quality in our field of expertise. We are world leaders in timber design, and along with our sister company Fast + Epp structural engineers, have completed structures across North America and Asia, receiving numerous international awards for innovation in timber construction.
MODULAR CONSTRUCTION 2010 Olympic Speedskating Oval | Vancouver
A year in research and development, the “wood wave� modular panel for this enormous 6 acre roof is a concept borne out of a desire to utilize conventional 2 x 4 dimensional lumber in a larger span structural application, addressing the need for unique aesthetics, excellent acoustics and stringent fire protection requirements. The 3.6m by 13.1m roof panels are curved and supported on primary wood-steel composite arches spanning 100m across the Oval. The 452 panels (55 different types) were conceived, tested, fabricated and erected by StructureCraft.
Our modular approach to this project enabled quick erection times and efficient shop fabrication. Variation in module design was captured using parametric fabrication models, and directly linked to a bespoke CNC manufacturing system we developed specifically for the project, creating a full-cycle automated digital fabrication process. The result is a seamless integration of structure, function, and form: the exposed structure simultaneously creates a singular aesthetic while incorporating acoustic absorption and pre窶進nstalled services within each panel.
PARAMETRIC DESIGN | DIGITAL FABRICATION Tsingtao Pearl Visitor’s Centre | China
This 2600 m2 visitors' centre project features a free form solid laminated wood roof, site fabricated in six-footwide panels and supported by 93 milled glulam columns and a two-way cable truss system. A custom steel sculpted universal connector at the top of the glulam support columns was developed to accommodate the constantly varying roof geometry. Parametric design was central to the successful realisation of this complex structure. Our team is fully versed in the latest digital tools, allowing us to study concepts quickly and easily reflect global changes in geometry into our fabrication models.
The roof columns all slant in different directions, meaning a purely random choice of slants would result in a net lateral force on the roof structure. Using our parametric geometric model of the structure Fast + Epp conducted a structural optimisation of the slants to determine column arrangements which ensured the gravity lateral forces on the roof summed to zero.
World Class Timber Engineering Atrium Roof | Central City | Vancouver
Central City is a multi-use complex revitalising an aging mall and tying together old and new commercial, retail, and educational spaces. We designed and built three large scale timber structures at this development, including this 3500 m2 space truss. The 4,000 space truss members and 900 nodes create a curvilinear roof supported by clusters of timber “tree branches” and a central “king post” truss. The seven-foot-deep space truss is constructed from timber peeler cores, an inexpensive waste by-product of the plywood industry, joined at custom designed node-castings.
We developed a unique method of strengthening the inherently weak peeler cores and, using a full scale testing regime, derived statistical member capacities for each of several connection types. Peeler cores with these connections were then placed within the space frame according to the structural demand.
World Class Timber Engineering Atrium Faรงade | Central City | Vancouver
Rising 26m above the Atrium floor, the north-facing faรงade consists of two levels of massive Parallam columns, some 600mm in diameter, shaped on our own lathe. Stainless steel cables align the tips of the support arms and muntins and carry the weight of the glazing. The 2300 m2 faรงade not only curves in plan but also leans forward at a 4 degree tilt. Our fully detailed 3D models enabled the complex geometry, and was also used for the glazing units. The transparent structure is highly visible in the community.
World Class Timber Engineering Galleria | Central City | Vancouver
This 140m long and up to 30m wide expressive skeletal structural roof form covers a vaulted space between two new buildings and opens to a large shopping mall below. Each of the twenty trusses comprise glulam chords, round timber struts and galvanized steel cables nestled in sculpted steel castings. The trusses were built adjacent to the shopping centre and hoisted into place. The roof’s supports accommodate more than 300mm of seismic movement in any direction while allowing the glazed clerestory to illuminate the space below.
Sustainability VanDusen Botanical Gardens Centre| Vancouver
This 25,000 sf Visitor Centre is a regenerative facility, designed to exceed LEED Platinum status and is the first Canadian building to achieve the International Living Future Institute's Living Building Challenge. The Visitor Centre uses on-site, renewable sources — 54 geothermal boreholes that run 60 metres deep, a 75-squaremetre solar photovoltaic array, and 400 solar hot water tubes — to achieve net-zero energy on an annual basis. Wood is the primary building material, sequestering enough carbon to achieve carbon neutrality. We designed, fabricated, and erected the timber roof structure in conjunction with Fast + Epp.
Designed to captivate the imagination of passers-by, the vegetated green roof is supported by a curvaceous wood structure. Structurally, the roof has visual interest inside and out while maintaining a warmth that only wood can provide. The complex petal roof structure (inspired by the indigenous British Columbia orchid) utilizes a glulam post and beam assembly, constructed from unique prefabricated wood panels, each with varying geometry to suit the free-formed configuration. We developed a parametric 3D model to rationalize the complex geometry of the petal shapes, which was then used to drive our fabrication model, producing information to shape each doubly-curved and tapered beam. Pairs of beams are connected with secondarily curved joists suspending a lengthwise fir plywood slat exposed ceiling. Each panel assembly is topped with two layers of plywood and conceals all MEP services installed in our shop.
Avon Office Roof | Avon, Colorado Architect
Arthur Erickson / Nick Milkovich Architects
General Contractor
Shaw Construction
Date Completed
2005
Description
This 37,000 square foot roof sits atop a large office building and parking structure. The torus shaped roof consists of of 15 splayed bays with a skylight across the ridge and west-facing brise soleil. The 16 arched timber trusses were shipped as a kit of parts and span 62 feet with the use of steel kingposts, custom castings and galvanized structural strand. The 150 roof panels were preassembled in our shop complete with acoustic insulation and hinged wood batten ceiling. All exposed timber is spruce glulam, coated with clear, low-VOC sealer to meet the LEED / Green Building targets.
800 Yates – Atrium Roof Structure | Victoria, BC Client
Jawl Properties
Architect
D’Ambrosio Architecture + Urbanism
General Contractor
Jawl Properties
Date Completed
2010
Description
The central atrium of 800 Yates st. office building features a 7,200 sq. ft glass skylight supported by a series of 60 ft. long custom lenticular shaped timber roof trusses. We call the concept "SpaceLam". The visual transparency of this unusual configuration provides a lightness and unique aesthetic to the overall roof structure.
SAIT Parkade Skylight Structures | Calgary, Alberta Client
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Architect
Bing Thom Architects
General Contractor
PCL Constructors Inc.
Date Completed
2009
Description
The 5,000 sq. ft. timber structure supports a glazed skylight system over the entrance to the new parkade for the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. The tilted and faceted pyramidal forms, complete with a 42’ cantilever, are constructed of shaped LSL moment frames with hidden connectors and steel spacer pipes. All elements were pre-fabricated, pre-finished and erected by StructureCraft Builders.
Tsingtao Pearl Visitor Centre | Qingdao, China Client
China Vanke Development
Architect
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Seattle, WA
Date Completed
2012
Description
28,000 sf. roof features a free form solid laminated wood roof, first of its kind. Our team used the latest in parametric modelling to create a fully detailed 3D model and shop fabrication drawings. Key components were fabricated in our workshop, then shipped to China where our shop drawings and jigs were employed by the local contractor under our supervision to produce the unique warped panels and erect the roof.
VanDusen Botanical Gardens Centre | Vancouver, BC Client
Vancouver Parks Board
Architect
Busby Perkins & Will
General Contractor
Ledcor Construction
Date Completed
2011
Description
25,000 sf. free-form roof made of 71 unique 3D curved panels on which leading-edge parametric digital design was employed. The panels are approximately 12 ft. wide and up to 65 ft. long, and were prefabricated in our shop, prior to shipping, complete with roofing membrane, thermal insulation, electrical and sprinkler services, acoustic insulation, and finished ceiling.
Philip J. Currie Museum | Grand Prairie, AB Client Architect
Teeple Architects
General Contractor
PCL Construction Management
Date Completed
In progress.
Description
This 29,000 sq. ft. museum rests on the ancient Pipestone Creek dinosaur bone bed near Grande Prairie. The project features a geometrically-complex roof, supported by exposed timber beams and struts that were designed as a metaphorical reference to the dinosaur bones that populate the museum.
Vancouver Aquarium – Roof and Façade Client
City of Vancouver
Architect
Bing Thom Architects
General Contractor
Shimizu Canada
Date Completed
1999
Description
Our first project, the 7,000 square foot Aquarium structure, is built from engineered timber and fabricated steel components. The five main Parallam beams, trussed with stainless steel kingposts, rods and custom clevises, carry the entire roof without resorting to interior columns. Shaped and curved Parallam and stainless steel bowstring trusses form the vertical mullions in the facade overlooking the pool.
Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries | Bamfield, BC Client
Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre
Architect
De Hoog & Kierulf
General Contractor
Windley Contracting
Date Completed
2004
Description
The award-winning scallop-shell roof structure is designed using 12 arched, stressed-skin shells roughly 12 feet wide and up to 50 feet long. The Parallam timber bottom chords of the shell, each laminated into a 110 foot radius, are supported on elliptically shaped faรงade columns. The 20 foot tall faรงade complete with shaped timber muntins and custom aluminium castings affords a spectacular unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean.
Simon Fraser University – Canopy | Burnaby, BC Client
Simon Fraser University
Architect
Busby, Perkins & Will
General Contractor
Bird Construction
Date Completed
2008
Description
The shape of this 1,200 sq. ft. canopy was inspired by the 3D “ripple-cone” geometric form envisioned by the architect. The resulting complex wave structure was modeled and created with 53 parallel CNC-cut Spruce LVL strands, panelized into 6 sections, shipped to site, assembled into one piece and erected by our crew.
Arena Stage Faรงade | Washington, D.C. Client
Arena Stage at the Mead Center for Performing Arts
Architect
Bing Thom Architects
General Contractor
Clark Construction Group LLC
Date Completed
2010
Description
650 ft. long faรงade consisting of 45 - 63 ft. tall, elliptically-turned Parallam columns, complete with shaped outriggers, muntins, and suspension cables. The columns finish in a finely tuned 350lb casting, and tilt at 4 degrees from vertical, creating the curved, sloping facade.
Eastgate Spiral Stair | Edmonton, AB Client
Environment Canada
Architect
Manasc Isaac
General Contractor
Clark Builders
Date Completed
2013
Description
A 2-storey self-supporting all-wood spiral stair, pre-fabricated in 4 modules and assembled on site.
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