Oaks on Grand – Iowa, USA

Vulcan timber also graces internal walls with a custom finish that brings warmth to these lofty spaces, while furthering the connection between indoor and outdoor environments. The Bandsawn finish to the timbers brings depth of grain, with the Protector coating illuminating the texture of the wood.

Timber interiors are known to improve health and concentration for workers, with studies showing that rooms featuring wood grain are conducive to creativity and help with focus. Protector is also a low VOC, waterborne coating, making it better for the wider environment as well as the building’s users.

A dedication to environmental stewardship was a key driver for both the client and the architects. As a thermally modified timber derived from Forest Stewardship Council ® certified plantation forests in New Zealand, Vulcan timber is verified to store more than two times the amount of carbon emitted during the manufacturing process.

With such beautiful surroundings, it makes sense to create a building that treads lightly on the natural environment, both in terms of materiality and aesthetics. Fully leased before construction finished, the building has set a high standard for future campus structures.