University of Oregon Breaks Ground on Mass Timber Behavioral Health Facility

Skanska recently broke ground on the University of Oregon’s Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health. The 54,000-square-foot mass timber facility will be built on the university’s northeast Portland campus.

The two-story building, designed by ZGF Architects, will house the Ballmer Institute and the Prevention Science Institute, a multidisciplinary research center. The structure will use approximately 18,200 cubic feet of CLT and 12,500 cubic feet of glulam over concrete foundations.

The project is expected to be among the largest all-mass-timber health care facilities in the US. It will feature CLT floor and roof decks, glulam beams and columns, a mass timber stair, an elevator shaft, a pedestrian bridge, and queen-post trusses.

Skanska will self-perform erection and installation of the timber structure. The design relies primarily on wood-to-wood connections and provides pathways for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems while minimizing exposed conduit. The facility is targeting LEED Gold certification.

Trevor Wyckoff, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Skanska USA Building in Oregon and Southwest Washington, said:

“Mass timber was selected for its sustainability benefits and its ability to support biophilic design principles that connect occupants to natural materials and environments. Research has shown that wood-rich spaces can contribute to comfort, well-being, and reduced stress, making mass timber an increasingly popular choice for education and healthcare-related facilities.”