Timber Frame Construction at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center: An outreach teaching and learning facility that is part of The Pennsylvania State University
Adjacent to Stone Valley Recreation Area in central Pennsylvania, Shaver’s Creek attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year for its exceptional educational and recreational programs. Children, parents, students, educators, and area residents visit the center throughout the year to enjoy the surroundings, participate in camps and other educational programs, and learn more about Pennsylvania ecology. The grounds host a raptor center as well as paths for hiking and cross-country skiing near Lake Perez.
Envinity has been building timber frame structures and related projects for Shaver’s Creek for almost two years. The first project was the Site Entrance Arch. Other projects include the Nuthatch Nook, the Point Pavilion, and the New Information Kiosk.
Mark McLaughlin, the director of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, recalls, "We first learned about Envinity through a longstanding relationship with (Envinity Director of Construction Services) Jerry Learn. Jerry and his family have participated in programs at Shaver Creek for more than 15 years. We think of Jerry as a real artisan when it comes to timber framing."
Jerry is equally complementary of the environmental center. He recalls, "When I was studying at Penn State, I was a student, a volunteer, and later an employee at Shaver’s Creek. After I moved back to Pennsylvania from Vermont, I was eager to renew my connection there. This was a very fulfilling project for me, as Shaver’s Creek does such wonderful work for the community and the environment." Jerry Learn, Director of Construction Services, describes the different projects:
Site Entrance Arch
"Our objective for the entrance was to create a focal point that would draw people in. Previously, it was an understated entrance with a utility gate. We wanted to create a structure that would welcome people to the environmental center. The Entrance has a locking gate mechanism for security, so it is functional, practical, and aesthetic."
"The wood is white oak, which is a traditional choice for outdoor projects because it is rot resistant. It’s a great native Pennsylvania choice for hardwood, as it is abundant throughout the state. The style of the Site Entrance Arch—kingpost truss and struts—is thematically consistent with some of the other structures at Shaver’s Creek."
Nuthatch Nook
"The posts for the Nuthatch Nook were sawn flat on two sides, while the other 2 sides were left natural with the bark still attached. The shelter is situated around a bend in the trail, and was designed to fit into its environment. Its design is meant to elicit an element of surprise when hikers first encounter it on the trail. The Nuthatch Nook is also made of white oak, and it is used primarily as a teaching space and a rain shelter."
New Information Kiosk
"The New Information Kiosk, like the Site Entrance Arch, is another structure that was designed to welcome people to the environmental center. It replaced an aging information kiosk. It’s made of white pine, a soft wood that is locally abundant and easy to work with. The frame originated as part of an exhibit booth for the Builder’s Association of Central PA 2008 Home Show, and was donated by Envinity to Shaver’s Creek."
Point Pavilion
"The Point Pavilion is another trailside outdoor teaching space. It was meant to overlook the lake bed, which currently is reverting back to meadow and will someday be a lake again. We used hemlock for this project. It is a very abundant, relatively strong softwood which we sourced locally."
Like most organizations that are associated with academia, Shaver’s Creek is often challenged with budgetary constraints. McLaughlin explains, "Since we have limited financial resources, we must always consider what can be practically implemented given our budget situation. Envinity understands that. They are very good at finding practical, cost-effective approaches to implementing environmentally conscious solutions."
McLaughlin also appreciates the high priority that Envinity places on local and sustainable building. He says, "Envinity understands what we are trying to accomplish from an environmental perspective. Theirs is a like-minded approach. It’s nice that we don’t have to educate with respect to conservation and sustainable building."
Envinity used local woods for each of the Shaver’s Creek projects. McLaughlin says, "There is great craftsmanship and beauty in their work. They made practical choices in selecting different woods for various aspects of the different projects. Their choices allowed the projects to be cost-effective and will allow for long term durability of the finished products."
