Douglas fi r was selected for its acoustic properties in wall and ceiling panels , while jarrah was selected for the stage . “ This pavilion is a great example of domestic and imported species working beautifully together ,” explains Webb . “ Douglas fi r is a softwood similar to spruce which is often used in the sound boards of pianos and is the better choice for acoustics . yet , jarrah is far more durable for the stage .”
Although ipé and jarrah were the imported materials selected in the Millennium Park project , many other imported species with similar performance characteristics could have been easily specifi ed . Cumaru , angelim , and massaranduba , for example , are often used in exterior decking applications .
Personal preference , knowledge , and experience are the factors that will drive the application and use of these species in the future .
superior spec s u s t a I n a B L e C H o I C e
when you are known as one of the world ’ s leading architectural fi rms , adhering to sustainable building concepts is not only a responsible philosophy , but it makes good business sense as well . Gehry Partners , LLP , led by world renowned architect Frank Gehry , clearly understands that sustainable building practices are good for everyone – the client , the environment , and the fi rm . Adhering to the key principles ultimately saves money for all concerned while protecting the environment .
In today ’ s business climate , the hallmarks of “ green ” sustainable building practices are here to stay . By defi nition , sustainable building practices embrace ( 1 ) health and comfort for its occupants , ( 2 ) a building that is economical to operate , ( 3 ) the minimization of toxic materials in design , construction , and operation , and ( 4 ) the life-cycle consideration of the building and its components .
When ipé was specifi ed by Gehry Partners as the exterior decking for the BP Bridge in Chicago ’ s Millennium Park , sustainable building practices were in full force . “ Ipé is the perfect choice for exterior decking . It has a life cycle of over 25 years and is produced from sustainable , rapidly growing forests . It is also resistant to moisture , mold , and surface checking , which are the three most destructive forces in decking material ,” says architect Craig Webb of Gehry Partners .
“ Ipé is a very economical material to use and has a very low life-cycle cost . It will last three to fi ve times longer than pressure-treated material and domestically grown species like cedar and redwood . It also has a stronger natural resistance to fi re , weather , and insects .
“ We specify the best materials for the particular application , and sometimes imported material is clearly the best choice ,” according to Webb . In other applications , as in the Jay Pritzker Pavillion sound stage ,
Here is a look at some of the characteristics of ipé , selected by Gehry Partners for the BP Bridge :
duraBILItY :
densItY :
Hardness :
seaLers :
staIn :
InstaLLatIon :
sCIentIfIC name : Tabebuia spp . orIgIn : very resistant to attack by decay fungi and termites
very heavy with specifi c gravity of 1.0 , nearly double the density of hard maple
3,680 psi , nearly triple the hardness of hard maple
ipé does not require sealer but may be used to minimize surface checking
not necessary , and if left natural , ipé will weather to a silvery gray color
must be predrilled , and stainless steel fasteners are recommended
Central and South America
The U . S . Forest Products Laboratory in Madison , Wisconsin ( www . fpl . fs . fed . us ) provides a great resource database for understanding the specifi c properties of imported wood species .
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