Mass Timber Group’s Post

🦅 Building MassTimber for DeafSpace 📝 Washington School for the Deaf, Divine Academic & Hunter Gymnasium 📰 Here's what we learned from the project team:   Built for the future needs of those with visual, tactile, and spatial needs.   👉🏼 Shauna Bilyeu, executive director, said: “This expansion means two brand new and much-needed spaces for improved learning and athletics in this unique student environment,” she said. She further elaborated on the tangible design outcomes, mentioning “wider-set hallways for active ASL (American Sign Language) communication and so much other care and concern for the needs of our unique community”.   👉🏼 Natural lighting was another key element, with extensive use of large windows – often with low-glare coatings to prevent eye strain.   👉🏼 The project utilized 131 cubic meters of glulam (a running length of 5770 feet) and 308 cubic meters of CLT (roughly 10,876 cubic feet).   👉🏼 The use of wood also pays homage to the school's history, connecting back to a demolished campus landmark, the Red Barn, which held deep community significance.   ♻️ The expanded CDHY campus isn't just about new buildings; it's about creating a holistic environment that fosters linguistic, cognitive, social, and emotional development while honoring Deaf culture. The new 35,000-square-foot Divine Academic Building includes innovative classrooms and a media center, while the 15,000-square-foot Hunter Gymnasium provides a purpose-designed space for physical education. A sensory-focused and accessible playground, a secure walkway connecting the buildings, and an improved parking area further enhance the campus. A new outdoor field is slated for completion in Spring 2025.   📰 Read the full article to see what the #AEC and mass timber teams had to say about their experience working on this magnificent project. . . . ❓ What project should we cover next? Let us know below! . . . We'll be releasing original #MassTimber spotlight articles every week!