A new $30 million, 4,700-seat sports arena will house several of the University of Idaho’s sports programs, including men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball, when it completes in 2020. Designed by Hastings + Chivetta Architects, with Opsis Architecture as the Architect of Record, University of Idaho Arena will also serve as a gathering space for academic events, special concerts, and meetings.
Timber and mass timber construction will become a focal point for the project, which has received a Wood Innovation Grant to help with construction costs. The arena will become the first wood facility of its size in Idaho. “Partnering with our strong natural resource industries to build an innovative building using new mass timber construction technology is exciting and demonstrates the innovation and engagement UI does so well,” says University of Idaho President Chuck Staben in a release.
The new arena is slated for construction on the north side of Kibbie Dome and will become a showpiece for student athletes. Through its use of timber and mass timber construction, the arena will also serve as a learning laboratory for students in forestry and engineering.
The structural engineer for the project is KPFF Structural Engineers and the general contractor is Hoffman Construction.
Related Stories
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Concrete | Aug 2, 2016
Concrete Association builds case against cross-laminated timber
The campaign asserts that not enough is known about CLT in construction
High-rise Construction | Jul 14, 2016
Shigeru Ban designs tower expected to be world’s tallest hybrid timber structure
To lessen the carbon footprint, Terrace House in Vancouver will be made of wood sourced from British Columbia.
Wood | Jul 14, 2016
The history of building with wood [infographic]
The first timber home was built 10,000 years ago. Now 40-story wood skyscrapers are being constructed.
Sponsored | Wood | Jun 21, 2016
Flameless water and gas install for Noah’s Ark
When you’re building the largest timber-frame structure in the world, you don’t want an open flame anywhere near the construction site.
Urban Planning | Jun 15, 2016
Swedish ‘Timber Town’ proposal from C.F. Møller provides a unique blend of nature and city
The development acts as a transition area between a traditional urban landscape and parklands.
Wood | Apr 29, 2016
Anders Berensson Architects designs 40-story wooden skyscraper for Stockholm
The structure, which will be made entirely out of cross-laminated timber, will rise 436 feet into the air, making it Stockholm’s tallest building.
Wood | Apr 22, 2016
Revised 2015 Manual for Engineered Wood Construction available
American Wood Council Document offers design information for structural applications.
Structural Materials | Apr 13, 2016
How post-frame construction has evolved over the years [Infographic]
The National Frame Building Association released an infographic showing just how far the industry has come since the colonial Jamestown days.
Wood | Apr 8, 2016
New LEED Pilot ACP designed to help eliminate irresponsibly sourced materials
Illegal wood is primary target to restrict illicit material in the supply chain.