King of Prussia Town Center

2016

Timbers
Species:  Douglas Fir
Surface: Sanded
Grade: Select Structural/Glulams 24f-V5
Quantity: 800 Pieces, 32,207 Board Feet
Finish:  Sikkens
Edges: Stop Chamfered
Joinery: Exposed Bolts

The King of Prussia Town Center, located just a short distance northwest of Philadelphia and a mile or so south of Valley Forge National Historical Park, is a 125 acre mixed use retail development that opened in October 2016. Lancaster County Timber Frames’ contribution consisted of seventeen distinct heavy timber structures, most of which are located on or around the Main Street area. Some of the structures were of solid Douglas Fir timbers; others were fashioned from Douglas Fir glue-lams.

Notable structures include the REI store which is crowned with a glue-lam entry canopy connected with steel plates and with an exposed tongue and groove roof deck. This building also features three thirty-two foot tall heavy timber window assembly frames which were installed with a forty-ton crane into existing masonry with a ½” tolerance. The natural three-coat finish on the window assembly frames and the canopy strikes a bold contrast to the large steel siding plates mounted to the exterior which have been left untreated by design to create a rusted industrial aesthetic.

Leaving no aspect of the function and aesthetic of these retail spaces without consideration, almost every one of the dumpster enclosures is dressed with a simple pergola to conceal the contents and draw together the overall appearance of the development.

Lancaster County Timber Frames’ intermittent presence on site spanned one full year. Approximately 850 timbers, totaling 40,000 board feet, were used