Mass Timber Campus Tour Draws Community Interest
Historic School Construction Project Showcases Sustainable Building Innovation
More than 35 community members, including a journalist from a local high school, toured the construction site of Palo Alto Unified School District’s groundbreaking new campus last week, getting an up-close look at what officials say is the first DSA-approved two-story cross-laminated timber building in California.
The 56,340-square-foot campus, currently under construction on a six-acre site, represents a significant shift toward sustainable building practices in educational facilities. Construction began in April 2024, with completion scheduled for January 2026.
“This project is shaping the future of educational facilities,” said representatives from the project team during the tour. The innovative mass timber construction approach marks a departure from traditional building methods, utilizing cross-laminated timber (CLT) for both structural and environmental benefits.
Multi-Partner Collaboration
The tour featured information stations where key project partners explained their roles in the ambitious undertaking. XL Construction, serving as the primary contractor, detailed their approach to the ground-up construction and sustainable building implementation. TimberQuest, the CLT fabricator, demonstrated how the mass timber elements are manufactured and assembled, while Aedis Architects presented their design philosophy for creating sustainable educational environments.
The collaborative effort also includes Fs3-Hodges as program and construction management, and Daedalus Structural Engineering handling the structural design challenges of the innovative building system.
Comprehensive Educational Facility
When completed, the campus will serve 400 students across three educational strands. The facility will include a kindergarten, administration building, library, two-story classroom building, and multi-purpose building. Outdoor amenities will feature playfields, hardcourts, and dedicated outdoor learning spaces.
The design also addresses practical needs with parent pick-up and drop-off areas, shade structures, and parking facilities integrated throughout the campus.
Setting New Standards
As the first DSA-approved two-story cross-laminated timber building in the state, the project is being closely watched by educators and construction professionals alike. The District’s commitment to sustainable construction methods reflects growing awareness of environmental considerations in public building projects.
The tour provided attendees with insight into how mass timber construction combines environmental responsibility with the functional requirements of modern educational facilities, potentially setting a new standard for school construction across California.
The campus is expected to open to students in January 2026, marking a new chapter in sustainable educational architecture for the Palo Alto Unified School District.