Oregon State University has kicked off a US$30 million fundraising effort to put the university’s forestry department at the forefront of what many Oregon leaders see as an emerging market in sustainable construction materials. Source: Oregon Live
Thomas Maness, dean of the forestry school, announced the initiative at the Oregon Leadership Summit.
The planned US$60 million complex will include new spaces for research and teaching, as well as renovating the existing spaces.
The school also wants to double enrolment to 2000 students, saying there is a demand for more trained foresters.
The goal is a 25,000-square-foot facility with computer-controlled and robotic manufacturing systems and a pilot plant designed as a learning laboratory for students.
The complex will feature a structure made out of the timber products they are working to create and perfect.
State officials are promoting Oregon as in a prime position to take the lead in wood-based materials for large-scale construction.
At the forefront of that effort is cross laminated timber, which is touted to be as strong as concrete and steel, but more sustainable and efficient to use.
The forestry school already works closely with industry officials and foresters on the ground in research, education and innovation.
Valerie Johnson, the owner of Riddle-based DR Lumber, is gearing up to start producing cross-laminated timber with presses that are being modified.
The forestry school will then test the trial boards, to make sure they are as strong and reliable as CLT advocates say.
The US$30 million fundraising goal will be combined with matching bonds from the state, which are included in Governor John Kitzhaber’s proposed 2015 capital budget.
