Design challenges can come from unexpected places. This historical society’s new archive building needs to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. No problem. But 100 people gathering in the second floor meeting space? That is a challenge.

Our solution came with assistance from our engineers at Fire Tower Engineered Timber.  We designed a key-laminated beam — two timbers with hardwood keys along their shared plane. The keys act like cogs in a wheel to make sure that, no matter how hard they try, 100 people will not be able to make the floor “bounce.”