Candlewood Suites on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, USA

The New Candlewood Suites on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, is the first cross‑laminated timber (CLT) hotel constructed in the US.

62,930.7 ft³ of cross-laminated timber and 12,925.1 ft³ of glued-laminated timber were used for the four-story hotel with 92 rooms.

Candlewood Suites at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, USA

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Timber Supporting Structure

Modeling and Calculation

The building has dimensions of approximately W x L x H = 291 ft x 85 ft x 59 ft. The structure was initially modeled in 3D‑CAD software cadwork. The model was then imported as multiple DXF background layers for each level into RFEM. These layers were the basis for modeling the members and surfaces.

The Nordic cross‑laminated panel properties were defined with the use of the RF‑LAMINATE add‑on module. The calculation of the internal forces of the whole structure (taking into account the plate stiffnesses calculated in RF‑LAMINATE) was then performed in RFEM. The design of the structural components was carried out separately.

Structural Engineering	Nordic Structures Montreal, Quebec, Canada www.nordic.ca and Schaefer Cincinnati, Ohio, USA www.schaefer-inc.com
Architecture	Benham - formerly known as Leidos St. Paul, Minnesota, USA www.benham.com
Investor	Lendlease New York, New York, USA www.lendlease.com