Underwriting giant Allianz analyzes mass timber construction risks

Sources: Allianz Commercial, Zurich; CP staff The latest installment of the Allianz Commercial Emerging Risk Trend Talk series examines financial and life safety factors surrounding mass timber construction. Authors find a) mass timber assemblies and building methods are relatively new, while testing continues to establish a methodology for determining the performance of structural elements during a fire; b) regulatory frameworks…

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Lehigh Valley venue artfully balances basic building materials

PHOTOS: Barry Halkin Photography for Spillman Farmer Architects

Combining a restored concrete slab and existing timber construction, with new steel and clay masonry, the $1.7-million, 7,000-sq.-ft. Arts Plaza is a raw, open-air space for the arts at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. The project transformed a former auto-repair facility into a dynamic outdoor teaching space that responds to its natural environment and built context. Designed as an outdoor black box theater, the plaza hosts a wide variety of planned and spontaneous artistic endeavors, including performance art, visual art exhibits, and small group musical performances.

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