Framework R&D

Portland, OR
2018

Framework is the collaboration of Beneficial State Bank, a triple-bottom line community bank, TomKat Foundation, a mission-driven funder, and Home Forward, the public housing authority for Multnomah County to re-envision the Pearl District property.

Overview

Idea

Envision the nation’s first wood high-rise building, innovating a model of sustainable urban ecology while promoting resilient building practices and economic opportunities for advancement of these objectives at a national scale.

Implementation

The project’s Research & Development (R&D) phase was supported by a $1.5M award from the U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition, sponsored by the USDA Softwood Lumber Board and the Binational Softwood Lumber Council. The building showcases the progressive innovation of Mass Timber Construction, specifically Cross Laminated Timber (CLT).

Results

Framework’s R&D resulted in the first permitted high-rise made from wood in the United States and was instrumental in changes to the International Building Code to allow for tall wood buildings by right throughout the entire United States.

Completed by Anyeley as a partner of project^

Framework at Daytime

Affordable Housing

Framework at Dusk

Offices for B-Corporations

Lobby and Tall Wood Exhibit

Highlights

Winner of the U.S. Tall Wood Building Prize Competition
Led a public-private collaboration for peer review and Performance-Based Design
Developed innovative CLT Rocking Wall technology
First permitted wooden high-rise in the United States

Project
Details

Role
Developer

Program
Affordable Housing
Mixed-Use
Offices
Retail

Location
Portland, OR

Partners
USDA
Softwood Lumber Board
Binational Softwood Lumber Council
Tallwood Design Institute
Oregon State University
iStar Laboratory
Home Forward
TomKat Foundation
Beneficial State Bank
State of Oregon
City of Portland

Building Area
89,544 SF

Total Cost
$3.0M

Status
R&D Complete

Completion
2018

Model of Framework
Fire Testing
Seismic Testing - Crushing
Seismic Testing - Rocking

Team

Architect
LEVER Architecture

Landscape Architect
2.ink Studio

Structural Engineer
KPFF Consulting Engineers

Fire & Acoustic Engineer
ARUP

MEP Engineers
PAE Consulting Engineers

Contractor
Walsh Construction

Video

America’s Forests – Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell blends music and forestry in America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell. This Oregon episode explores timber skyscrapers in Portland, fire-adapted forests in Bend, and habitat restoration on the Siuslaw National Forest.