HarborCenter

When the HarborCenter complex in Buffalo, New York needed a roofing solution for its NHL-level ice hockey rink, the design team turned to engineered wood — specifically, a hybrid glulam-and-steel truss system. Glulam beams, glulam purlins, and tongue-and-groove wood decking work together to span the primary rink, delivering both structural performance and striking architectural character. As a renewable material, glulam offered a sustainable alternative to conventional steel and concrete systems, aligning with the project team's commitment to responsible material selection. 

This publication is designed for: engineers, architects, designers 

Beyond aesthetics and sustainability, the hybrid glulam system proved to be a cost-effective structural solution. By optimizing the ratio of wood to steel in the trussed beams, the design team reduced overall weight sufficiently to incorporate wood decking in place of traditional steel bar joists and corrugated roofing, without exceeding budget.

Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.