St. Michaels University School Sun Centre
Victoria, BC
Unleashing the potential of CAD/CAM.
Architect Paul Merrick’s inspired stately and uplifting space truss design for the SMUS Sun Centre utilized many of FraserWood’s unique capabilities. From orienting spherical nodes for fabrication, to embedding steel tension plates internally in timber braces, to assembling a roof system that can’t support itself until the final pin is set, FraserWood’s project managers maximize the potential of CAD/CAM to find innovative, practical solutions to complex project challenges.
Explore how FraserWood executed this project below 
Architect
Merrick Architecture
Engineering of Record
RJC
Engineer of Connections
ISL
customer
Campbell Construction
location
Victoria, BC
Completion
2018
photo credit
Kyle Slavin
fraserwood’s role
Supply RF Dry Timbers, Glulams, Steel Connections, Precision CNC Fabrication
Complicated steel connections
Each spherical node was comprised of six laser-cut plate connections. The digital model was used to design and fabricate jigs that would allow the connection plates to be accurately located and welded in place.
Steel Connections Services
Embedded steel tension plates in timbers
Timbers were split prior to drying and fabrication. After fabrication they were laminated back in their original orientation with the steel in place, creating an almost invisible lamination.
Assembly of a complex roof system
A detailed raising plan was developed to facilitate assembling a roof structure that could not support itself until all members were in place.
