Ganahl Lumber at Torrance

Torrance, CA | 87,000 SF

Ganahl Lumber Company is the oldest lumberyard and hardware supply store in the state of California. Among 10 locations throughout California, the 87,000-square -foot Ganahl Lumber at Torrance features mass timber beams and columns to create an open floor retail and warehouse experience serviced by parking at the roof level. In order to execute the clear span floor plate while providing for a waterproof driving surface, a concrete slab was used that formed a composite action with the mass timber beams. The composite action relied on state-of-the-art research to create the first long-span timber concrete composite structure in the U.S.

Alaskan yellow cedar was used on the wood beams that were exposed at the exterior to make use of its natural resilience against insects and rot. The beams span 56 feet between girders with the concrete soffits purposefully exposed to emphasize the hybrid materiality.