The Plaza

Featuring exposed timber frames inside and out, The Plaza at Gateway Park in Neenah, Wisconsin serves as a community space and outdoor ice skating rink. The roof profile throughout the timber framed portion of the building required each timber truss to have a unique profile, making coordination with the timber joinery designer essential. These timber frames also serve as the lateral resisting system for this portion of the building, using 12"x12" timber columns up to 18ft tall to support the timber trusses and transfer lateral forces to the foundation. Adjoining the timber framed area, the two story conventional wood construction portion of the building houses public restrooms, ice skate rental, and mechanical spaces.