New River Train Observation Tower, Virginia Architecture, USA Timber Structure Photos
New River Train Observation Tower in Virginia
Apr 21, 2022
Design: Virginia Tech students and faculty
Location: Virginia, USA

Photos: Kay Edge and Edward Becker
New River Train Observation Tower, Virginia
The award-winning Observation Tower, by Virginia Tech students and faculty, pairs cutting-edge timber research with innovative off-site assembly methods.

The recently-completed project in rural Virginia demonstrates a unique approach to low-carbon design and construction through the use of the university?s own interdisciplinary research.

In 2018, the riverfront city of Radford, Virginia approached Virginia Tech ? a nearby public research university ? to assist the town with the visioning for a new train observation tower that would provide public access to views over the adjacent New River and a historically significant railroad bridge.
A primary project objective for the city was the use of clean-tech, low-carbon building products as a way to showcase the city?s transition away from its industrial past. Over the following two-year project period, an interdisciplinary faculty and student team partnered to research, design, and build the 75-foot long by 30-foot high public building.

Early in the design process, the students chose to focus on emerging building technology – cross-laminated timber (CLT) – due to its strength, sustainability, and unique spatial properties. ...