Surrey Christian School Primary Wing

Location

Surrey

Completion

2014

Construction Manager

Companion Construction Inc.

Structural Engineer

Fast + Epp

Prefabrication

Panelized

Project Materials

Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)

Lumber

Nail-laminated timber (NLT)

Plywood

Structural Systems

Light frame

Mass timber

Panellized

Post + beam

Project Overview

The Primary Wing is an addition to the existing Surrey Christian Middle School, adding classrooms and spaces for daycare, kindergarten and special education. Working with the existing topography, the addition is partially tucked into the hillside on top of a single level parking garage. Prefabrication of wood components was used strategically to ensure on-schedule completion of the project. Wood components were installed concurrently to concrete work on site.

Wood Use

Glue-laminated timber (glulam) columns are staggered evenly along the length of the building with light wood frame infill panels providing vertical bracing. The columns support prefabricated roof and floor panels consisting of glulam, 2×4 nail-laminated timber (NLT) and light wood frame. Two panel types were utilized for roofing and flooring. The main panel type has two glulam edge beams along the length of the NLT decking, with light wood frame headers at the remaining exposed edges. The panels were installed along the length of the building in alternate bays, supported by the glulam columns. Spacing created by the installation pattern was filled with NLT panels. Plywood sheathing was used throughout to achieve lateral stability vertically and horizontally. Light wood frame shear walls were prefabricated and installed as interior partitions. The exposed wood components are visually impactful, creating a warm and welcoming school environment.