The Simpson Strong-Tie Material Demonstration Laboratory (MDL) is a 7,500-square-foot facility with a 5,000-square-foot attached working courtyard at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Delivered as a design-bid-build project, the MDL was constructed to directly support the activities in its four adjoining major labs of the Center for Construction Excellence, showcasing current construction assemblies through the design, engineering, and installation of materials in the built environment. Omni Design provided complete architectural and civil engineering services through construction administration, record drawings, and agency coordination with DSA Access Compliance.

Key Features

• Heavy Timber Construction: Originally conceived as a pre-engineered metal building, Omni Design persuaded Cal Poly to expand the project scope, resulting in one of the only Type IV (Heavy Timber) buildings on any university campus in California.

• Integrated Learning Environment: The facility is designed to showcase working construction assemblies as living exhibits, directly supporting the research and instruction of four adjoining major labs within the Center for Construction Excellence.

• Award-Winning Design: The project received the U.S. Woodworks Wood Design “Wood Behind the Walls” Award in 2011, recognizing its innovative use of heavy timber in an educational setting.

  
  

Outcome

The MDL stands as a landmark facility on the Cal Poly campus, demonstrating the creative potential of timber construction in an institutional setting. By championing a more architecturally expressive building type, Omni Design delivered a facility that serves both as a functional laboratory and a showcase of materials craftsmanship that continues to inspire students and faculty.