Lakeridge Middle School

Warm and welcoming, Lakeridge Middle School uses an exposed wood structural system designed to connect students with nature. Whole-tree columns, fabricated from hardwood trees harvested from the building site, support the structure inside and out. The other wood elements, which include glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams,acoustic dowel-laminated timber (ADLT) panels, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and other engineered wood products, were also left visible to help reduce student stress and increase well-being. These elements evoke feelings of being in nature to reduce stress, anxiety, and aggressive behavior. Locally sourced acoustic ADLT ceiling panels also provide acoustic absorption and leave a finish that ties into the District’s biophilic and low-carbon goals. Mahlum also used the warmth of the wood in the library to achieve the District’s goal of creating “a more intimate space to celebrate reading the printed word.”

Wood’s efficient thermal conductivity also helped create a high-performance envelope, saving the District about $400,000 each year in energy costs. Lakeridge Middle School is registered with the Energy Trust of Oregon’s Path to Net Zero program; it also meets Architecture 2030 energy targets. The completed project met the sustainability, safety, accessibility, operational, and student wellness goals of the District.