POSTED 11-09-2026 Drawings, renderings, and models can teach a lot, but nothing compares to seeing a project in person. Members of the Wendel team recently welcomed students from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning to the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens project site. With studio coursework focused on structure, wood, and mass timber construction, students had the opportunity to experience many of those concepts beyond the classroom. As they toured the project, students explored the relationship between architecture, structure, and construction while gaining a firsthand understanding of the scale and complexity of a mass timber building. Discussions throughout the visit focused on how design decisions are translated into the built environment and the coordination required to bring a project from concept to construction. The visit reflects the ongoing relationship between Wendel and UB, creating opportunities for students to connect their coursework with real projects and experience firsthand the scale and complexity of the structures they study in their design studios. Learn more about this project.