Rex Hill Tasting Room

Rex Hill had the chance to utilize new and old wood as much as possible due to the low height and horizontal nature of the facility.  Due in part to the very tight construction schedule of the project and the overall need for framing flexibility, wood was the ideal material for the bulk of the framing systems.  Wood was the major contender for this project as it could be manufactured on and off site with relative ease and was more cost and energy-efficient than structural steel and light-steel framing.  Where the new highly visible portion of the structure would be, the design team needed a structural system that could both be structurally efficient and beautiful to look and this driver was a key tool in the decision-making process.  The design team had looked at two main roof structure options for the new addition.  One system utilized all structural steel with exposed car-decking and the other utilized a hybrid steel/glulam system with exposed car-decking.  

After the team realized that there was a need to keep the new addition light enough to avoid major foundation upgrades in the existing cellar paired with the improved aesthetic, the decision was very clear.  By utilizing the existing structure and expanding with timber the project helped to reinforce the client groups B-Corp values of economic, environmental, and social responsibility.