White Pine Monograph: Winter 2014

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New Milford, New Hampshire: Once a Jewel; Now a Ghost

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whitepine

The

series ofarchitectural monographs

volume xxvinumber one

The NexT GeNeraTioN architecture Students Design to

Feature eastern White Pine

% Letter from the Publisher 5

% The Sustainable Versatility Design Awards 5

% Shelter House in Chicago Park 5

% Tesla Showroom: Miami 5

% Community Center Building 5

% The Lovell’s Island Marine Biology Research Center 5

% Finding the Trees in the Woods: Rediscovering the Forest 5

% The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University 5

% Studio Soleil 5

% Home 5

% Rest Area 5

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© NELMA 2014

Cumberland, Maine

an architecturalmonograph

Prepared for Publication byNortheastern Lumber

Manufacturers Association

272 Tuttle RoadCumberland, ME 04021

© 2014

THE NEXT GENERATIONArchitecture Students

Design to Feature Eastern White Pine

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For too long now the building products industry has been inundated with wood alternatives (plastics, composite, etc.). As a direct result, we have noticed a disturbing yet predictable side effect of the introduc-tion of these substitutes. Not only are younger contractors not exposed to the classic and most time-tested building techniques of working with wood, the next generation of architects are ignoring the greenest building product option on the planet.

F or this very reason, NeLMa created the Sustainable Versatility Design awards to engage aspiring architects in the traditions, techniques and the very culture of designing and building with wood. The competition’s objective

is to challenge students to think of wood as the ultimate renewable and sustainable construction material, one with an unsurpassed proven performance record and with the versatility to satisfy any of today’s contemporary designs. This issue of the White Pine Monograph proudly shares some of the thinking and visions of the finalist for the past three year of these design awards.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that the Sustainable Versatility Design Awards have been renamed the Rich Quitadamo Sustainable Versatility Design Awards. Rich was a leading lumber industry voice that led to the development of the award. His input helped shape the Associa-tion’s marketing plan for more than 12 years before his untimely passing in 2013. To honor his unselfish work and participation in NELMA to the benefit of all its members, we are pleased to announce the naming of this annual award, The Rich Quitadamo Sustainable Versatility Award.

Thanks for reading,

Jeff EasterlingPublisher of the White Pine MonographsPresident of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA)

Letter from the Publisher:+

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Shelter House in Chicago Park

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Shelter House in Chicago Park2014 First Place: Jun Guo – Illinois Institute of Technology

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2014’s first place winner was Jun Guo, a student at the Illinois Insti-tute of Technology. Jun created a proposed shelter that would be built in Chicago’s Grant Park close to Lake Michigan’s shoreline. The shel-ter house would provide Chicagoans and tourists participating in fun outdoor activities a place to rest or take refuge from weather. It would primarily house food stands, which would be located in the center of the structure that is half open to the outdoors. The structure would also house four public restrooms.

Jun chose to use eastern White Pine for the beams of her structure because their lighter color contains less solar gain and creates shadows which would cool the space in summer. She decided that Eastern

White Pine should also be used for the floors and furniture to bring a sense of harmony and nature to the space.

The “Chimney Effect,” is used as a passive design for cooling the space. The solar gain brings high temperatures from the top of the concrete boxes, which house the restrooms, while the Eastern White Pine that frames the structure shades the inside space. The result, a temperature

white pineThe

series ofarchitectural monographs

a publication suggesting the architectural uses of eastern white pine and its availability today.

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difference that creates air flow. Air comes from outside through the louver door and rises to pass back out through a louver on the top of the concrete wall.

Jun divided her project into two different parts. The concrete wall served has her main support for the structure, while the Eastern White Pine beams are embedded into the concrete wall and transfer the force supporting the outside frame. /

“ She decided that Eastern White Pine should also be used for the floors and furniture to bring a sense of harmony and nature to the space.”

Winter Scene: Exterior view of pedestrian shelter on Lake Michigan’s shoreline.

Interior view showcasing Eastern White Pine.

Roof Plan

Floor Plan

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Tesla Showroom: Miami

Sam Kuhn from the University of South Florida, brought a design in-spired by the innovative and sustainable design philosophies of Tesla, blurring the distinction between inside and outside, public and pri-vate, and education and commercial.

Sam designed a facility that contains an indoor/outdoor cafe, a gallery, supercharging stations for electric vehicles, an outdoor event space, a design studio, a classroom, and a film room.

Some of the ways Sam chose to make his building sustainable was to incorporate glass accordion panes which fold up allowing cars to roll out onto the sidewalk and the pedestrians to wander in freely. It also allows for the natural ventilation to cool the main interior space of the building, while cutting back on heating and air conditioning costs.

The most versatile sustainable feature, however, is the skylight louver system. The large open-ing in the atrium of the showroom has a row of operable louvers lined with photovoltaic panels. The louvers position can respond to the path of the sun to harness energy for the building. The louvers also can be adjusted to control the amount of natural light entering the space. Two more sets of these same panels are found on the roof. These account for a total 2,150 square feet of surface area for solar energy collection. When weather permits, the skylight covering can retract. The doors and louvers can open letting hot air naturally ventilate; conversely the cool air comes in, transforming the whole space from interior to exterior.

Sam also chose the material palette with sustainability in mind. He chose to blend the natural with modern, com-bining Eastern White Pine with urban and modern materials of polished white concrete, aluminum and stain-less steel. This blend of rustic-tradition and modern is becoming part of the architectural lexicon as consumers look to embrace the natural with modern convenience.

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Tesla Showroom: Miami 2014 Second Place: Sam Kuhn – University of South Florida

Street view of the versatile showroom.

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One standout design feature, Sam calls the “Waiving Wall,” which he says was inspired by the beautiful undulation of Atlantic waves as they meet the shore of Miami; it adds a hierarchal element to the project. The wall form is created by a simple generative algorithm using innovative 3D parametric design programs, such as Grasshopper or Rhinoceros. The construction is straight forward, with the edge of each individual element’s curve able to be exported onto a file. After the wood was laminated, each piece was cut with perfect precision of a CNC rout-er. Once each board was sanded and treated, they were tectonically applied to a lightweight structural system which would be able to go on any flat surface./

Detail view of the “Waiving Wall”.

Interior view of the showroom.

Side view of the airflow created by the design.

“ The doors and louvers can open letting hot air naturally ventilate; conversely the cool air comes in, transforming the whole space from interior to exterior.”

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Community Center Building

2014’s third place winner was Nicole Schwartz from the University of Kansas. Nicole created a plan for a sustainable community center that would serve as a social gathering space for students at Dartmouth College. The site would be located on a moderate hill with Eastern White Pine wood zones at its east and west boundary.

in her plan, she included a multi-purpose room, gymnasium, children’s room, entry hall, office space, meeting room, restrooms, a kitchen, storage, and an outdoor recreational area. Nicole says that her main objective was to develop an

understanding of the relationship between functions, spatial organization, structure, and materiality. In addition, she wanted to develop a spatial dialog between exterior and interior spaces in a functional and architectural sequence.

She wanted the space to represent the natural beauty of Eastern White Pine wood as people walk through the building, and successfully accomplished this by creating a series of transitional spaces, a large corridor, and by using white pine wood throughout. Nicole was also mindful of including nature, making sure there were large windows in the corridor so visitors could enjoy the view. She has broken the building into zones which serve different functions.

Nicole incorporated Eastern White Pine by creating a louver used as a screen around the building. The large glass panel in the corridor allows for plenty of natural sunlight, while the pine louvers act as a shading device. They also create a natural, modern, and clean aesthetic. In summer the

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Community Center Building2014 Third Place: Nicole Schwartz – University of Kansas

Balcony and Level 1 Views of the community Building.

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insulation quality of the white pine wood screen will allow residents to keep the large glass panel of the building open to facilitate natural ventilations. The Eastern White Pine works well with weather resistant stains and paints, which allows for easy maintenance. It helps with heating and cooling costs, making the building more LEED friendly and sustainable. She also chose to use Eastern White Pine as the flooring throughout the building.

Finally due to the cantilevered, linear roofs, which are stream-lined to increase the amount of space left for the outside view-ing, Nicole has created a support wall on the right side of the building. Again she chose pine to balance the physical weight of the roof while counterbalancing the aesthetic “weight and density” of the walls on the left hand side of the building. /

An open space for play, reflection and community building set among the pines.

“Nicole incorporated Eastern White Pine by creating a louver used as a screen around the building.”

Ramp into the community building provides a beautiful access experience for all.

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The Lovell’s Island Marine Biology Research Center

Ben Greer from Northeastern University proposed a new marine biology and research center that coupled Boston’s vibrant academic community with the diverse ecological environment of Lovells Island in Boston’s outer harbor. Lovells Island is a primitive 62 acre island that contains a diverse array of ecologies and geologic forms ranging from salt marsh to wooded upland. The center would provide researchers and students with the invaluable benefits of on-site learning. The 6,593 sq ft facility could house 30 people and contains two research labs.

Ben chose to use eastern White Pine as a building material, with the goal of pulling the natural world into the building. Conceptually the design is a “pine block” that has been carved and eroded. The Eastern White Pine siding allows for the

project to read as a solid where it needs to, as well as accent the void spaces. The community spaces such as the entry and circulation are a way for the design to blend the exterior and inte-rior. To create a continuous surface from the natural world to the educational world, Ben also chose to use Eastern White Pine for the connecting deck.

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The Lovell’s Island Marine Biology Research Center

2013 First Place: Benjamin J. Greer- Northeastern University

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Nighttime illumination of the research center.

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Because the facility is located on an island, Ben planned for the building to be entirely self sufficient. Water and power would not be readily available, so his design incorporated systems that provide these necessary services in an efficient and sustainable manner.

Incorporated is a 3,340 sq ft solar array on the roof of the facility to power its various functions. The panels are angled 5 degrees of south for optimal solar gains year round, and provide not only electricity but are also used to preheat water. When not in use, energy could be stored in large batteries located in the mechanical room.

A water-collection area was also incorporated into Ben’s plan. The area will be 7.676 sq ft, and storm

water will funnel into a 138 ft. long rain-garden which doubles as a filter for pollutants. After filtration, water would be stored in a large 2,500 gallon cistern and would be used for sinks, showers, and scientific experiments. With added filtration, water collection from the system will be safe to drink, reducing the need for occupants to supply their own water. Boston receives an average of 44 inches of rain a year; the system could ultimately harvest more than 210,500 gallons of water a year.

Further taking advantage of the site’s elevation and orientation, Ben has planned for the facility to become ideal for agricultural harvesting. The rain-garden would contain 525 sq ft of plant-able soil, with an additional several thousand sq. ft. of farmable land located on site. The facility is equipped with composting toilets that will not only increase crop yields, but will lower the facility’s dependence on water.

Greer explains how the majority of the building’s sustainable effectiveness will come from the double stud wall that will achieve maximum R-value and reduce thermal bridging between interior and exterior spaces. The material and labor costs are

dramatically lower than alternatives, and provide an equally efficient outcome. /

“ Conceptually the design is a “pine block” that has been carved and eroded.”

Seasonal views of the exterior “pine block”.

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Finding the Trees in the Woods: Rediscovering the Forest

Christopher Telomen submitted plans from an unlikely location - the University of Hawaii. Christopher designed an outdoor learning center that takes the experience of exploring the wilderness as its inspiration. He placed the learning center within an Eastern White Pine forest. Reminiscent of two fallen logs crossing each other and two towering trunks (canopy included) nearby, this design is not only inspired by the materiality of Eastern White Pine wood, but by its natural form as well.

Tolomen concludes his submittal with a question: “As the old saying goes, to walk in the shoes of another is to know their perspective; what better way to learn about our world’s ecosystems than

at the scale of their inhabitants?” /

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Finding the Trees in the Woods: Rediscovering the Forest

2013 Second Place: Christopher Telomen, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Early architectural sketches of the innovative structure.

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The third place student architect from 2013 was Nicolas Guertin from Harvard University who designed a new visitor and education center for the Arnold Aboretum which comprises over 265 acres of land that span several neighborhoods. The Arnold Arboretum is one of the last and largest pieces of Frederick Law Olmstead’s Emerald Necklace. The mission of the information center would be to increase the knowledge of the biology of woody plants by hosting hands-on botanical and horticultural education sessions.

N icolas chose to use eastern White Pine as a way of incorporating the environment into the space to inspire learning. The Visitor/Information Lobby would marry the two wings of the Center, bringing together the public

gathering space and the academic functions. The Eastern White Pine is utilized in the construction of a seemingly solid wood “spine” that fulfills a variety of programmatic functions. Outside, it is carved away to create a bench; inside, it becomes the surface upon which a map of the Arboretum is located, and in the classrooms, it houses space for bookshelves.

In marrying the warm material qualities of Eastern White Pine with the natural environ-ment, Nicolas plans on having the spaces become dynamic incubators of inspiration and learning. He plans on bringing the out-side indoors by first incorporating sunlight as a means of enhancing spatial experience. Light would filter from above, drawing at-tention to the white pine finishes on both ceilings and walls. An additional component of the design’s sustainable consideration is the utilization of a Trombe wall adjacent

to the greenhouse. Utilizing the greenhouse effect, heat generated by solar radiation would be transferred to the space during the coldest months of the year. While during summer, the wall’s massive character would act as a heat sink. /

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The Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University

2013 Third Place: Nicholas Guertin, Northeastern University

Eastern White Pine surrounds the main hall.

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Studio Soleil

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For the inaugural Sustainable Versatility Design Awards, Maynard Hayden León from Harvard University Graduate School of Design took top honors. Maynard’s design consists of a detached teaching studio and performance space for a piano teacher. Maynard chose to use Eastern White Pine throughout the project showcasing built-in millwork, including the bookshelves that line the main space, as well as the acoustic baffle system that shapes the sound of the studio space. The exterior of the structure employs the traditional “Shou Sugi Ban” method of charring wooden siding, which carbonizes the face of the wood and is said to protect the wood against rain, rot, and insects for 80 years. The results are long lived and hauntingly beautiful. Charred wood is widely available for domestic use. /

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Studio Soleil 2012 First Place: Maynard Hayden León, Harvard University Graduate

School of Design

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Exterior view of this music studio nested in its natural environment.

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Benjamin Greer from Northeastern University designed a forward-thinking residential home using the sustainable and aesthetic qualities of Eastern White Pine as a building block for its design. The building openly displays the adaptability and functionality of the wood species as a building material by expressing and accenting its many uses. “Home” pushes the envelope of typical uses of Eastern White Pine and tries to come up with new and innovative ways to use this remarkable material to create a modern sustainable house. Inspired by the Northeast log cabin, this modern take on minimalism strives to provide a substantial sense of comfort and diversity in a small 600 square foot space. Designed for an individual or couple, “Home” is meant to be a low cost, self-sustaining modular prototype that has a small impact on its environment. /

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Home2012 Second Place: Benjamin J. Greer, Northeastern University

“ The building openly displays the adaptability and functionality of the wood species...”

Eastern White Pine glows at night in this modern home.

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Rest Area

Natalie Petricca from Carleton University designed a pavilion simply for people to sit, take a break, and enjoy the view while they’re out hiking on a forest trail. Finnish architectural traditions were deeply consid-ered for Natalie’s project. The use of 3” x 3” Eastern White

Pine material mimic the powerful vertical members of the forest. These members are used in every aspect of the structure and seating, and are denser along the south and west faces as this is the direction from which the typical prevailing winds blow. The seating was specially designed to fit an average sized person and the incline of the back en-courages one to gaze upwards. The shading provided by the horizontal elements creates a play of shadows on the seating and on the people sit-ting in them. /

Rest Area2012 Third Place: Natalie Petricca, Carleton University

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A Finnish-Inspired Rest Area.

Detail depicting bench formation integrated with

surrounding structure.

What we’re looking for:

% Updates on projects or designs featured in the original White Pine Monographs 5

% Photos of modern uses of Eastern White Pine 5

% Techniques for building with Eastern White Pine 5

% Projects showcasing Eastern White Pine 5

% New and old homes with classic styling of Eastern White Pine 5

% Innovative uses of New England’s most historic wood 5

% Industry news pertaining to Eastern White Pine 5

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONSarchitects, Designers and Building Professionals

is looking for story ideas, articles, photos and feedback for our next issue to be published in Summer of 2015

Submit your story ideas, photos, thoughts, expressions or well-written articles to: [email protected]

Hull Forest Products Pomfret Center,ConnecticutChester Forest Products Lincoln, MaineFraser Timber Limited Masardis, MaineHammond Lumber Company Belgrade,MaineHancock Lumber Company, Inc. Bethel, Casco & Pittsfield, MaineHaskell Lumber, Inc. Lincoln, MaineHunt, N.C., Inc. Jefferson, MaineIrving Forest Products Dixfield & Ashland, MaineKelly, P.M., Inc./Kelly Lumber Sales Ashland, MaineLimington Lumber Company East Baldwin, MaineLovell Lumber Company, Inc. Lovell, MaineLowell, R.E., Lumber, Inc. Buckfield, MaineMaschino & Sons Lumber Company, Inc. New Gloucester,MaineMoose River Lumber Company, Inc. Jackman, MainePleasant River Lumber, Inc. Dover-Foxcroft, MainePleasant River Pine Hancock and Sanford, MaineRobbins Lumber, Inc. Searsmont, MaineStratton Lumber, Inc. Stratton, MaineRobinson, W.R., Lumber Company, Inc. Wheelwright, MassachusettsDiPrizio Pine Sales Middleton, New HampshireDurgin & Crowell Lumber Company, Inc. New London, New HampshireH.G. Wood Industries, LLC Bath, New HampshireKing Forest Industries, Inc. Wentworth, New HampshireMadison Lumber Mill, Inc. West Ossipee, New HampshireMilan Lumber Company, Inc. Milan, New HampshirePatenaude Lumber Company, Inc. Henniker, New HampshirePrecision Lumber, Inc. Wentworth, New HampshireSeacoast Mills, Inc. Brentwood, New HampshireJohnson Lumber Company Carthage, New YorkWard Lumber Company, Inc. Jay, New YorkBrojack Lumber Olyphant, PennsylvaniaBritton Lumber Company, Inc. Fairlee, VermontCersosimo Lumber Company Brattleboro, VermontCyr Lumber, Inc. Milton, VermontLamell Lumber Corp. Essex Junction, VermontManchester Lumber Johnson, VermontM.B. Heath & Sons Lumber Company, Inc. North Hyde Park, VermontMill River Lumber Ltd. North Clarendon, VermontFontaine, Inc. Woburn, Quebec

List of Mills ofThe Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers association