‍Mass Timber, Up Close: Inside Kalamazoo College's New Residence Hall

Some of the best conversations in construction happen on site, surrounded by the work itself. Dan Gelder, project superintendent for Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., experienced that recently at Kalamazoo College's new residence hall. Joined by Susan Lindemann, Associate Vice President for Facilities Management, Dan got a firsthand look at a project that has been a long time coming.

"We are putting up our first new residence hall in 60 years here at Kalamazoo College," Susan said, "and we really think it's a special build."

Why Mass Timber?

For the Kalamazoo College team, mass timber was not just a structural choice. It was a values statement.

"Mass timber is really biophilic," Susan explained. "Studies have shown that introducing natural materials into a building space actually reduces anxiety and stress and improves productivity. We really want that for our students."

Mass timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams are manufactured by bonding layers of wood under pressure, creating structural elements strong enough to replace steel and concrete. The material is lighter, faster to install, and stores carbon rather than emitting it, making it one of the more compelling low-carbon options in construction today. All of the timber on this project is southern pine, sourced from the southeastern United States and manufactured in Alabama.

Sustainability at the Core

Mass timber is one piece of a broader sustainability story at Kalamazoo College. The four-story residence hall also incorporates geothermal heating and cooling, passive energy strategies, and high-performance building systems alongside student lounges, a community kitchen, a marketplace, study spaces, and other shared amenities. Construction is on track for completion in Summer 2027.

O-A-K recently welcomed students from Michigan State University's Mass Timber program to the jobsite, along with supplier SmartLam North America, for a tour as Quality Buildings LLC begins timber installation at the east tower and lobby. For the next generation of builders, there is no better classroom than the jobsite itself.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. is pleased to announce that Rob Rotchadl has joined the company as Senior Director of Strategy and Finance.

Rotchadl brings nearly 20 years of experience in strategic finance, planning, and operational leadership. Throughout his career, he has partnered closely with executive teams to translate strategy into disciplined execution—aligning financial planning, performance metrics and operational priorities to drive sustainable growth.

Most recently, Rotchadl served as Vice President of Finance for a multi-entity commercial real estate services platform, where he led long-range planning, forecasting and performance management initiatives. Earlier in his career, he held a senior financial planning and analysis leadership role with Hilton Hotels & Resorts, supporting enterprise forecasting and strategic planning at scale. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

In his new role, Rotchadl will work directly with O-A-K’s leadership team to enhance financial visibility, strengthen strategic planning processes, and ensure the company’s continued growth is supported by clear, data-driven decision-making and operational alignment.

“Rob brings a thoughtful, disciplined approach to strategy and finance that aligns perfectly with our growth trajectory,” said Jim Hopper, Florida Division President of O-A-K. “His experience and perspective will help strengthen our ability to plan, perform, and deliver at a high level as we continue expanding across the region.”

“I’m excited to join an organization with such a strong reputation for both performance and culture,” said Rotchadl. “O-A-K’s employee-owned structure and commitment to building meaningful, community-driven projects create a powerful foundation for long-term success. I look forward to working alongside the team to strengthen our strategic planning and support continued, sustainable growth.”

Owen-Ames-Kimball’s Florida operation is an affiliate of its parent company headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with offices in Collier and Lee counties. Its Lee County office is located at 11941 Fairway Lakes Drive in Fort Myers.

For more information, visit www.owen-ames-kimball.com or call (239) 561-4141.

Owen-Ames-Kimball Co. is proud to announce the hire of Nancy Johnson as the firm's first Chief People Officer. The newly created role reflects O-A-K's commitment to intentional growth and building a workplace where people can do their best work.

Johnson brings more than 20 years of experience in people strategy and organizational culture. She is no stranger to O-A-K. For the past three years, she has consulted with the firm's Executive Leadership team, giving her a deep understanding of the company's values, goals, and people. In her new role, she will lead O-A-K's people strategy, company culture, and talent alignment across the entire organization, supporting employees in Michigan, Florida, and Colorado. She will also oversee a team that includes O-A-K's Talent Acquisition Manager and Employee Experience Managers.

"O-A-K has always stood out to me because of its genuine investment in its people," Johnson said. "I've had the privilege of working alongside this leadership team for three years, and I've seen the care and intention they bring to every decision. I'm honored to step into this role and help build on that foundation as the company grows."

Frank Stanek, President and CEO, shared his excitement about the hire. "This decision has been a long time in the making. As we grow, we want to be intentional about how we support our team and how we build a work place where people want to stay and grow."

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