Whether it’s the rustic or industrial aesthetic it provides or the way it gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of the built environment, the truss has progressed from being a purely structural element to one that can also be decorative. We take a look at recent projects that have perfected the use of exposed trusses and some of the products and fabricators that can help you get started in designing with these architectural elements.
Tolleson by Huntsman Architectural Group; photo by David Wakely
PROJECTS
Water Factory by Andrew Simpson Architects
This two-story, 19th-century industrial warehouse in Fitzroy, Australia, once served as a jam factory, an aerated water factory, home to an advertising agency and an engineering consultancy before its final transformation into a residence. Because the historical character of the exterior needed to be preserved, the architect focused heavily on the interior with the aim of bathing the poorly oriented and deep spaces in natural light.
Water Factory by Andrew Simpson Architects; photo by Shannon McGrath
The team achieved this by inserting a series of operable skylights in the north- and south-facing roof pitches and keeping the space just beneath the pitches as open as possible. This led to the incorporation of a minimal ceiling plane that leaves the majority of the original warehouse roof trusses exposed and conceals electrical and mechanical equipment.
Water Factory by Andrew Simpson Architects; photos by Shannon McGrath
Portsoy Boatbuilding Centre by Brown + Brown Architects
To ensure that the art of traditional boatbuilding isn’t lost to future generations, this facility on the northern coast of Scotland is used not only to make actual boats, but also to teach boatbuilding skills to children (and adults, too). The association behind the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival enlisted Brown + Brown to build a center for these purposes on the site of a derelict stone building.
© Nigel Rigden
Portsoy Boatbuilding Centre by Brown + Brown Architects; photo by Nigel Rigden
Because the stone façade of the existing structure would best hold up in the coastal weather, the architects preserved it and instead designed a timber and glulam building to essentially slip inside. One section was missing stone, so in its stead, the architects erected a glazed curtain wall that holds a new entrance. Skylights at the top make up for a lack of windows in the stone ruins, and oxidized-metal trusses just below them add to the dramatic effect.
Portsoy Boatbuilding Centre by Brown + Brown Architects; photos by Nigel Rigden
Tolleson by Huntsman Architectural Group
Most recently a flooring company’s showroom, this two-story warehouse structure in San Francisco was eventually converted into headquarters for branding and creative agency Tolleson.
Tolleson by Huntsman Architectural Group; photos by David Wakely
Huntsman Architectural Group largely kept various existing industrial elements intact, from exposed brick walls to wood trusses, but tweaked some to augment character: The timber trusses, for example, were bead-blasted, bringing out the warmth of redwood, and new steel beams were added to some of the trusses and along brick walls for contrast while emphasizing the overall industrial aesthetic.
Tolleson by Huntsman Architectural Group; photos by David Wakely
Nathalie Mauclair Gymnasium by SCHEMAA
At this athletic center in Champagne, France, SCHEMAA created an intriguing building envelope with a truss design element that visually extends into the interior.
© David Foessel
Nathalie Mauclair Gymnasium by SCHEMAA; photo by David Foessel
On the outside, the structure is clad in black metal; inside, it’s glulam, which also helps inject warmth into the gym space. Furthering the dynamic structural design, glulam beams run across the ceiling at points where the vertical beams intersect with the ceiling plane.
© David Foessel
Nathalie Mauclair Gymnasium by SCHEMAA; photo by David Foessel
Within the triangles of the truss structure, translucent polycarbonate walls gently diffuse sunlight into the interiors during the day while projecting a beautiful glow at night. Clear glass in the lower portions below the truss affords open sight-lines out to the sports field.
© David Foessel
Nathalie Mauclair Gymnasium by SCHEMAA; photo by David Foessel
Nathalie Mauclair Gymnasium by SCHEMAA; photos by David Foessel
Aspen Art Museum by Shigeru Ban
When the majestic mountains are the main draw for your city, how do you attract people to an indoor environment? For the Aspen Art Museum, the answer was to commission Shigeru Ban.
Aspen Art Museum by Shigeru Ban; photo by Michael Moran/OTTO
The architect put his own spin on the space-frame truss, employing the ancient Japanese technique of interlocking wood joints to create curving members. The result is an animated ceiling topography that exquisitely complements the woven exterior screen of the museum while casting dramatic shadow patterns onto the floor.
Aspen Art Museum by Shigeru Ban; photos by Michael Moran/OTTO
So very central to the museum’s aesthetic, the timber trusses are even referenced in a subtle support detail at the lobby’s welcome desk.
Aspen Art Museum by Shigeru Ban; photos by Michael Moran/OTTO
Godfrey Hotel by Valerio Dewalt Train and The Gettys Group
The staggered truss design of this boutique hotel is not only structural in nature, but also aesthetically appealing. The trusses, in fact, became somewhat of an identifier for the building along with the hotel’s staggered-box form.
© Steve Hall
Godfrey Hotel by Valerio Dewalt Train and The Gettys Group; photo by Steve Hall/Hedrich Blessing
The steel trusses are massive, standing one story high and spanning the full width of each floor. Only a few of these elements are on the exterior, while the majority sits just inside the glazed façades, visible to passersby when the curtains aren’t drawn. Thanks to the generous depth of the interior trusses, guests can even perch on them while enjoying views of Chicago.
Godfrey Hotel by Valerio Dewalt Train and The Gettys Group; photos by Steve Hall/Hedrich Blessing
MANUFACTURERS AND FABRICATORS
Foxworth Galbraith
The lumber and building product supplier fabricates structural and decorative authentic timber trusses to specification that are certified and sealed by professional engineers. The systems can be constructed with Douglas fir, oak, pine, cedar or glulam in smooth or rough textures depending on the look your project is going for. To ensure structural stability, Foxworth uses carbon steel plates and graded steel bolts.
Foxworth Galbraith
Fypon
Fypon offers a range of decorative beams that are much more affordable. That’s because they are actually hollow polyurethane molded from timber and stone to capture authentic texture and pattern. The low-maintenance products are weather- and moisture-resistant and are primed for quick staining or painting. Texture and wood grain styles include Rough Sawn, Mesa, Hand Hewn and Tahoe. Beam lengths range from 8 to 24 feet in 2-foot increments. Fypon also offers decorative beam straps and bolt plates.
Fypon
Vermont Timber Works
Both decorative and structural, this company’s real wood truss kits are designed to carry heavy loads. Styles include King Post and Modified King Post, Hammer Beam and Modified Hammer Beam, Scissor and Modified Scissor, Queen Post, Steel Connected, Wood and Steel and Girder trusses. Vermont Timber Works uses traditional mortise and tenon joinery held with hardwood pegs and decorative steel plates. Trusses that fit on a truck are shipped preassembled, ready to erect.
Vermont Timber Works
Volterra Architectural Products
Volterra produces faux-wood truss structures in nine different configurations: Aspen, Braddock, Cascade, Catskill, Hawkeye, Huntsman, Oxford, Sawtooth and Huntsman. The lightweight beams are available in dark or light walnut, espresso, mahogany, oak or primed colors and with textures and grains Doug Fir, Tuscany, Sand Blast, Rough Sawn or Hand Hewn. Each kit includes all necessary components and instructions.
Volterra Architectural Products