Engineered Wood Sprouts Solutions for Supermarket Chain

When supply chain delays threatened a new Sprouts Farmers Market location in Norwalk, California, the project team made a pivotal decision: replace the original steel roof system with an engineered wood alternative. Working within the constraints of a high-seismic zone and the brand's signature open, airy interior, the structural engineering team specified a system built around glulam girders, laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and an oriented strand board (OSB) deck — demonstrating that engineered wood can meet the span and load demands traditionally reserved for steel. 

This publication is designed for: architects, engineers, designers, builders 

This case study offers a detailed look at the engineering decisions, product specifications, and collaboration required to execute the transition from steel to wood on a commercial retail project. A third-party life-cycle assessment (LCA) revealed a dramatic reduction in the roof system's embodied carbon compared to its steel equivalent — a compelling data point for design and construction teams navigating increasingly stringent sustainability targets. 

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.