From Blueprints to Beams: A Day Exploring Boise’s Mass Timber Projects

Sometimes the best way to understand a building is to leave the drawings behind and stand beneath the structure itself. Earlier this month, members of our team had the opportunity to do just that during a regional site tour hosted by WoodWorks in Boise. The event brought together designers, builders, and industry professionals for a close look at two impressive local projects that highlight the growing role of mass timber construction in the region.

With hard hats ready and curiosity in tow, we stepped out of the office and onto the jobsite.

Stop #1: Albertsons Stadium North End Zone Expansion

Our first stop was the Albertsons Stadium North End Zone Expansion at Boise State University. Designed by Opsis Architecture and built by Andersen Construction, the project demonstrates how structural performance and architectural warmth can coexist beautifully.

The highlight of the tour was the extensive use of glulam beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT). These mass timber elements form the primary structure of the concourse club ceiling and roof, creating a space that feels both structurally robust and visually inviting. Standing beneath the exposed wood structure, it was easy to appreciate why mass timber continues to gain traction in modern design.

Beyond aesthetics, the project team intentionally selected timber elements to help reduce the building’s carbon footprint, illustrating how thoughtful material choices can support sustainability goals without compromising performance.

Our tour guides from Andersen Construction shared insights into the construction process, detailing the coordination required to install large structural timber components while maintaining tight project schedules. Seeing these elements up close gave everyone a better sense of scale and craftsmanship that simply cannot be conveyed through drawings or photos.

Stop #2: ESI Construction Management Building

The second stop took us to the ESI Construction Management Building, an 18,000-square-foot facility at Boise State designed by Lombard Conrad Architects and built by ESI Construction.

This building serves as a hands-on learning environment for construction management students, and the structure itself is intentionally designed to be a teaching tool.

The project features a hybrid steel and timber structural system, incorporating glulam beams and veneer-based structural composite lumber (SCL) CLT. Rather than hiding the structure, the design exposes these elements throughout the building so students can see and understand how the systems work in real-world construction.

In addition to the structural design, the building incorporates energy-efficient strategies and collaborative learning spaces, reinforcing its role as both an educational hub and a model for modern construction environments.

Tour guides from Lombard Conrad Architects and ESI Construction walked us through the design decisions, construction challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Hearing directly from the professionals involved added valuable context to what we were seeing in the field.

Why Site Visits Matter

While presentations and project photos are helpful, nothing replaces the experience of walking through a project with the people who built it. Site visits like this allow teams to:

• See structural systems in real-world applications

• Ask questions directly to project managers, designers, and superintendents

• Understand sequencing, detailing, and constructability in ways drawings cannot fully convey

• Stay connected with evolving materials and construction techniques

Mass timber continues to gain momentum across the industry, and these projects demonstrate how it can support both sustainability goals and compelling architectural design.

Looking Ahead

Experiences like this reinforce the value of stepping away from the desk and engaging with the built environment firsthand. Our team is excited about organizing similar visits for some of our own projects once they reach construction phases where a walkthrough will provide the most insight.

Until then, we’ll keep an eye out for opportunities like this one, where learning, collaboration, and a little fresh air all come together.

And, of course, a day spent standing beneath massive timber beams isn’t a bad way to recharge the design brain. 🌲🏗️