From Quebec to Petworth: Mass Timber Installed at Truesdell Elementary | Washington, DC
Mass timber beams are installed on the new addition at Truesdell Elementary. The beams traveled all the way from Quebec, Canada.
From Quebec to Petworth
Project team members look on as the beams are moved into place via crane
Our Truesdell Elementary School project team recently celebrated a unique milestone as mass timber traveled all the way from Quebec, Canada, to the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC, to be installed on the project! We held a watch party on-site alongside our Joint Venture Partner Blue Skye Construction, Architect and Design-Build Partner VMDO-DC, and Owner DC Department of General Services (DGS) to watch work crews install the beams.
This marks the first use of mass timber on a DGS School project and is also the largest use of mass timber in the District’s portfolio. DGS Deputy Director of Capital Construction Ella Faulkner attended the watch party and commended the project team on all of the progress made so far: “A big shoutout to Blue Skye Construction, Coakley & Williams Construction, and VMDO Architects for their outstanding work in designing and constructing this innovative space.”
What is Mass Timber?
The watch party included personnel from CWC, Blue Skye Construction, VMDO-DC, and the DC Department of General Services (DGS)
The Truesdell Elementary School modernization project utilizes Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), a popular mass timber product, for roof construction on the building’s new addition. Mass timber reduces the building's carbon footprint while offering durability, safety, and aesthetic appeal. For those reasons, it has become an increasingly popular building material in a variety of structures.
About the Project
This design-build project is unique; the original Truesdell Elementary building was constructed in the 1920s, making this a historical renovation. The modernization will renovate the existing 1920s-era building, replace the 1960s-era addition, and construct a second addition to provide an abundance of spatial opportunities for elementary school students in the Petworth Neighborhood.
“A big shoutout to Blue Skye Construction, Coakley & Williams Construction, and VMDO Architects for their outstanding work in designing and constructing this innovative space.”
Building a Greener Future
The new addition and renovation will achieve Net Zero Energy, meaning it will consume no more energy than is produced from renewable sources. The project is also targeting LEED Gold and WELL Gold certifications, making it a best-in-class facility that emphasizes both sustainability and health & wellness.
