Clemson University Opens New Forestry and Environmental Conservation Building

Clemson University has opened a new 82,436-square-foot Forestry and Environmental Conservation building designed to showcase sustainable, high-performance wood construction, Clemson News reported (8-31-26).

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation (FEC) moved into the four-story facility at the beginning of the fall semester. The building includes classrooms, research laboratories, and office space.

The building’s glulam beams were manufactured by SmartLam, whose CEO, Derek Ratchford, is a Clemson alumnus. CLT used in the building was donated by Norfolk Southern Railway.

Staff from the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences collaborated with Moseley Architects on the building, which was designed to showcase high-performance, sustainable construction using locally sourced lumber. Clemson said the approach stores carbon, supports rural economies, and demonstrates next-generation wood construction.

The four-story building consists of three wings surrounding a landscaped courtyard facing a woodland. Its design provides connections between indoor and outdoor classrooms, allowing the university’s forested campus to serve as a living-learning environment.