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PATH Architecture is expanding its use of cross-laminated timber to include a new senior living center at聽3450 N. Williams Ave. When completed in 2019, The Canyons will be a 110,000-square-foot mixed-use structure next to developer’s Kaiser Group‘s Carbon 12.

鈥淲e have been working in mass-timber products for five years and we have learned a hell of a lot,鈥� said聽Ben Kaiser,聽owner of PATH Architecture and Kaiser Group. 鈥淲e keep moving the needle. We are pretty comfortable with CLT and how it works.鈥�

One of the big advantages of using CLT in a senior living structure is that the panels help moderate moisture in the air.

In wintertime, the panels release moisture, which helps relieve dry air conditions that can hamper elderly residents’ breathing. Then in summertime, the panels absorb moisture.

The panels will include sensors able to detect exactly how much moisture they are absorbing or releasing.

鈥淪tudies have shown it’s a healthier environment,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淭he sensors will have a 13-year battery life. So for 13 years, we can read the moisture levels in the panels on an iPad. We will be able to see if there is a leak. That is fantastic to have in any building.鈥�

The decision to use CLT as the primary construction material is one of the primary reasons for the $21 million price tag. Nevertheless, Kaiser sought to use an environmentally sustainable product.

鈥淔or me, at this point in my career, it’s about reversing the carbon footprint of construction,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think the objective is to think beyond the immediate costs.鈥�

Project developers have also added 10 units from the original plan formed two years ago.

鈥淚t has evolved,鈥� said聽Jennifer Dillan, a spokeswoman with Kaiser Group. 鈥淥ne thing this project does is build on a series of unique partnerships.鈥�

Those partnerships include one with New Seasons Market. Residents at The Canyons will be able to order from the market ready-made meals that can be delivered.聽A top goal of the project is to allow seniors to stay as independent as possible for as long as possible.

鈥淭his is not assisted-living level of care,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淲e designed an alley on the back of The Canyons. The elder folks will be able to go to an active retail corridor.鈥�

This is Kaiser’s first foray into senior living structures. As such, he brought in Hoosiers Corporation as a partner. The Tokyo-based company has built numerous elder living structures in Japan. In return for sharing its expertise building elder housing, Hoosiers Corp. is getting firsthand experience using CLT, which is becoming more popular in Asia.

鈥淭hey want to know about CLT and we want to learn about elder housing,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淚t’s a good match.鈥�

The Canyons’ residential units will have a mid-price point, Kaiser said. A driving force in the effort to ensure costs wouldn’t be too high was the experiences he had with his own father.

鈥淢y siblings and I toured places,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淭he options for people who are not wealthy were not very good. They were all extremely expensive or so bad we would never put our parent there. We are trying to find a middle ground. We want to build something that is affordable but still a good place to live.鈥�

R&H Construction has been chosen as the general contractor. Ground is expected to be broken in September and a grand opening is scheduled for December 2019.

On the Boards is a 91视频 feature offering a look at the projects in Oregon being tackled by local architecture firms. To have your firm’s projects considered, contact 91视频 architecture and engineering reporter Kent Hohlfeld at 503-802-7224 or [email protected].