Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab – Norfolk, VA
Exterior Cladding:
CUSTOM FSC®-Certified Accoya®
FSC®-Certified: FSC® mix 70%
Select grade
Finished on face only, sealed on back & 2 long edges
Product Size
Solid +/- 3/4” thick x +/- 5-3/8” wide x 6’ – 16’ random lengths
Tongue & Groove
*For a similar product, see ELOW FSC®-Certified Accoya
Recognition:
Fast Company World Changing Ideas 2025 Winner
Winner of HRACRE 2025 Excellence in Development Design – Best Sustainable Project, Juror’s Choice
Winner of ENR MidAtlantic 2024 Excellence in Sustainability Award
Featured on The Today Show
The innovative new Ryan Resilience Lab of the Elizabeth River Project in Norfolk, VA, is a globally recognized model for coastal resilience. Just off the banks of the non-profit’s namesake Elizabeth River, the site has been redeveloped with a living shoreline and an expansive new educational park and dock that welcomes the community for events and guided tours of the Lab.
Built to educate the public on climate and environmental issues, the 6,500 sq. ft. Lab serves as a visual and functional example of sustainable, green building practices, showcasing inventive yet practical ways homeowners and builders can design structures to withstand severe weather and reduce pollution.
With sustainability as the cornerstone of the project’s design, the architect came to reSAWN seeking materials that would support the goal of net-zero energy usage and serve as a replicable model for green building and construction. A CUSTOM FSC®-Certified Accoya® cladding by reSAWN TIMBER co. was used for the exterior, fulfilling the project’s sustainability needs while delivering a breezy, coastal aesthetic that grounds the building in its waterfront atmosphere.
Technical Support and Highlights:
Understanding the critical role sustainability played in the Lab’s design and mission, and the building’s role as a demonstration project, reSAWN provided targeted material recommendations that aligned with both performance and environmental goals. After supplying product samples and consulting on the performance of various wood species, a CUSTOM FSC®-Certified Accoya was selected to meet the design’s functional and ecological standards. The final specification included:
- Durability: Accoya wood’s chemical modification process significantly reduces moisture absorption and retention, improving its dimensional stability and allowing it to maintain its shape in fluctuating weather. Backed by a 50-year above ground warranty, and 25 years in freshwater, it was ideally suited for the Lab’s riverside environment and utility needs.
- FSC®-Certification: Sourced from sustainable, plantation grown radiata pine, Accoya is FSC®-Certified, Cradle to Cradle Gold Certified, and the only construction material in the world to achieve C2C Platinum Certification for Material Health.
- Environmentally Friendly: To support the Elizabeth River Project’s mission to restore the health of its historic river, choosing an environmentally friendly material was critical. The chemical modification of Accoya is entirely non-toxic, and certified safe for animals, humans, and the environment. reSAWN developed the CUSTOM finish using a low-VOC oil to achieve the sun-washed, coastal aesthetic while maintaining environmental integrity.
Work Program Architects is a community-focused firm, with a mission of strengthening communities through a collaborative design process. Founded in 2010, they focus solely on projects that build social, economic, and environmental resilience in educational, municipal, and civic sectors.
Hourigan is a fully integrated construction and development firm focused on creating a more sustainable future. Through establishing a solid partnership with each client, they deliver projects with unique perspectives that give back to communities and support critical causes.
Working professionally as an architect for 11 years, Yuzhu Zheng has a deep understanding of what goes into a project and the process that brings designs to life. Now photographing architecture full time, she has a unique style and insight that captures the voice of the designer and the spirit of each individual space.
