24 / FRAME BUILDER - VOL7 NO2
Hockessin, Del., showcases a 
modern approach to timber design 
using glulam trusses in southern 
yellow pine with a natural clear 
finish. It features expressed steel 
connections and tension-rod 
joinery in a matte black powder-
coat finish.
With a span of 12 x 20 m (40 x 
65 ft), the lobby incorporates 161 
pieces of timber totaling 22.45 
m³ (9,515 board ft). Outside, 
35 timber brackets supporting 
exterior overhangs express the 
timber beneath the eaves. The 
scale of the project highlights the 
intentional celebration of timber in 
design.
Spiritual sustainability
Beyond aesthetic and structural 
considerations, sustainability has 
come to the fore when considering 
timber’s role in spiritual spaces. In 
an era of growing environmental 
consciousness, wood embodies 
a connection to the planet and 
a commitment to responsible 
stewardship.
The Chabad of Bedford illustrates 
this concept. By strategically 
combining Douglas fir glulam 
and solid timber, the design team 
was able to minimize material 
use while maximizing structural 
efficiency. The project incorporated 
structural insulated panels with an 
impressive R–40 insulation value to 
provide superior energy efficiency 
and performance to the building.
Timber framing has a lower 
embodied carbon footprint than 
steel or concrete.1 This advantage 
stems from timber’s natural 
carbon sequestration process: trees 
absorb carbon dioxide as they 
grow, storing it within their fibers 
even after harvesting. Timber 
production also requires less 
energy-intensive processing than 
steel or concrete manufacturing. 
The renewability of timber, 
coupled with responsible forestry 
practices and efficient construction 
techniques, further contributes to 
its reduced environmental impact.
Mark Hughes, professor of Wood 
Material Technology at Aalto 
University in Finland, notes in the 
book, Rethinking Wood: Future 
Dimensions of Timber Assembly,2 
that building construction 
accounts for between 30 and 50 
percent of material usage, while 
construction and demolition waste 
accounted for 32 percent of total 
waste in the EU 27 in 2012.
SACRED STRUCTURES
THE OFFICIAL NFBA MAGAZINE
The Chabad of Bedford features a combination of Douglas fir glulam and solid timber. Photos by Jana Bannan 

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