New Mexico spa stays true to tribal tradition

The design of Native American buildings often involves the use of natural, rustic glulam timber framing as an expression of native tradition. The new Pueblo of Isleta Convention Center near Albuquerque, N.M., is a showcase of graceful double-curved glulam arches that form a circular spa building. The casino and resort is owned and operated by the Pueblo of Isletta tribe. The facility includes a 300,000-square-foot casino and a 201-room hotel.

The spa—part of the tribe’s hotel and casino—is shaped like a pottery jar symbolic to native culture. It is 36 feet high with a diameter of 60 feet at the widest point. There are 18 double-curved glulam arches equally spaced around the perimeter. The arches are 6-3/4 inches wide by 15 inches deep and are exposed on the interior and exterior.

Engineer

Mark C. Hoel, P.E. VAA, LLC, the senior structural engineer on the spa project from Van Sickle, Allan and Associates, said "Because of the unusual form of the outdoor spa, accurately modeling the structure to understand its behavior was a unique challenge. We used Risa3D to create the model, incorporating the various material properties, including glulam ribs, steel pipe hoops, and curved plywood diaphragm, into a structure that is stable against wind and seismic forces. We then shared the model with the fabricator to ensure seamless coordination between designer and constructor. The result is a graceful, iconic structure emphasizing the natural beauty of glulam ribs and symbolizing an important part of the tribe’s culture."

Contractor

According to Jeff Kamin of ISEC, Inc., the sub contractor, the use of glulam arches provides pleasing aesthetics and sound construction, avoiding an "industrial" look. There are five rows of 6-inch-diameter steel rings that connect the glulam arches together. The exterior cladding is stucco over plywood sheathing. The arches are made with decay-resistant Alaska Yellow Cedar, which Kamin says provide a more attractive appearance than pressure-treated timbers.

Architect

According to the architects at the Cuningham Group, "Every building tells a story. The metaphor used in the design of the spa was symbolic of pottery, feathers, and adobe. These cultural symbols were incorporated throughout the design of the building with the outdoor hydrotherapy spa housed in an over-scaled pottery form.

"The pottery shape was derived from historical and current pottery produced at the Pueblo. The form will provide shade for spa guests, and diffuse strong winds and blowing sand. It can also be a lantern element and gathering place in the spa garden during special events."

Cuningham architects report that glulams are more aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound in conjunction with the five rows of 6-inch diameter steel rings connecting them together.

"The framing could easily be sculpted to the complex shape of the pottery shell, while the rich natural wood tones add to the ambiance of the pool and spa," the architects added.

Cunningham group said the performance of Timberweld Manufacturing, the glulam arch manufacturer, was excellent, making it a successful partnership.

Designers note that when glulam materials arrive at the job site pre-finished, the delivered product is the finished product. This makes glulams unique as a structural component for many types of buildings. Other framing members arrive at the site in raw form, and require additional cladding or finish.

Glulam wood arches, beams, and trusses are a renewable resource because domestic foresters plant approximately 5 million trees daily to ensure a future supply of wood.

Donald Jaenicke handles marketing for the American Institute of Timber Construction. For more information on glulam timbers, contact the American Institute of Timber Construction at 303-792-9559 or visit www.aitc-glulam.org.