T3 Minneapolis/

Michael Green Architecture

DLR Group

United States

Location(City/Country):

Minneapolis / United States

Tipology:

Offices

Year (Design/Construction):

- / 2016

Area (Net/Gross):

20447 m2 / -

Operational Carbon emissions (B6) kgCO2e/m2/y:

Embodied Carbon emissions (A1-A3) kgCO2e/m2:

Use of prefabricated solid wood panels, such as Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT), is more environmentally friendly option and reduces the embodied carbon.
The mass timber panels were fabricated locally reducing transportation emissions and promoting the use of local resources.
Efficient design and construction process reduced the waste generated during the construction.
Exposed structure and services minimise the number of layers and materials used, reducing the embodied carbon.

T3 Minneapolis was the largest modern mass timber building in the USA at completion, and the timber superstructure was installed in only 9.5 weeks.

With the successful launch of T3 Minneapolis (timber, technology, transportation), tall wood construction in North America continues to reach new heights. Replacing traditional structural systems such as concrete and steel, prefabricated solid wood panels, such as Nail-Laminated Timber panels, create a construction method which is fast, clean, and sustainable–not to mention aesthetically pleasing.

Designed by Michael Green Architecture and DLR Group, this mass timber building’s seven stories and 220,000 square feet of mixed retail and office space has a strong draw on local investors and the tech and creative tenants due to the warmth of wood and the embrace of green construction techniques and materials.

The bottom concrete level is set aside for both retail space and a tenant amenity centre which includes fitness, social workspace, and bike parking. Above it is six stories of pure wood office space.

The structural engineers were challenged to create a practical and constructible structural system composed of glulam beams and columns supporting nail-laminated timber (NLT) panels. We created new connection ideas, erection methodologies, and carried out full scale testing for this project – in pursuit of creating the most efficient structure possible.

There were many options for mass timber floor systems –CLT, GLT, and NLT panel systems were all candidates for the floor and roof panels which span the glulam post and beam framework.

The teams’ decision to go with NLT (nail-laminated timber) was formed on a number of factors including structural advantages, lower cost, and faster procurement times.

In order to maximize the fabrication and erection process, we fabricated the NLT panels in a shop in Winnipeg and shipped them to Minneapolis – several hours to the south.

We arranged with a European supplier to ship the glulam members -CNC’d and ready for the steel connection plates – to Winnipeg. Here, we pre-installed all steel connection members to allow for JIT delivery and immediate erection on site.