Duluth Train Viewing Platform
Duluth, Georgia

The Train Viewing Platform in downtown Duluth features a distinctive heavy timber structural system designed to support a complex, multi-level roof configuration with unique geometries. One of the primary challenges was to develop a lateral force-resisting system that minimized visible bracing and preserved the openness of the building.

The use of wood and heavy timber framing provides durability and structural efficiency with a reduced carbon footprint. To further enhance constructability, the timber frame was largely fabricated off-site using CNC machining, allowing precise fabrication and significantly reducing on-site assembly time. The resulting design balances structural performance with aesthetics, allowing the heavy timber framing to remain the defining architectural feature.