May 2, 2014

Light-Gauge Steel Framing (Oregon) -- Collaborative Life Sciences Building

Photo courtesy of Western Partitions

A big challenge of framing the Collaborative Life Sciences Building was its angular elements.

Location: Portland

Contractor: Western Partitions

Architect: SERA Architects

Team: Building Specialties; Spears Construction Supply; Georgia-Pacific; Scafco Steel Stud Co.

The Collaborative Life Sciences Building is a 500,000-square-foot project in Portland’s South Waterfront District owned by Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and Portland State University. Western Partitions’ scope of work included the light-gauge, metal-stud framing of the core and shell. This entailed using more than 2.5 miles of framing to layout and more than 28 miles of primarily 6-inch studs and track supplied by Scafco.

The framing of the building’s exterior and atrium lecture halls was extremely challenging. The walls are formed by several different angles designed to tie into each other, somewhat like a giant pie. With some key layout points not even within the framed area, the mathematical skills of the Western Partitions team were called into play.

General contractor JE Dunn Construction knew projects with the framing complexity of this building were rare and selected Western Partitions as part of the team of well-trained union framers it employs.

Judge’s comment: “This project was a true test for the framing crew of Western Partitions. The angular walls and sheer magnitude of the light-gauge steel framing are a testament to the construction team. The creative design and exceptional workmanship helped formulate an amazing finished product.”

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