Because wood expands and contracts under various temperatures and saturation levels it is important to account for this in the design. The entire building then needs to be flexible enough to withstand this expansion and contraction or over time it will begin to pull apart from itself. Because of this the connection between metal and wood is especially important. In the Grand Teton Discovery and Visitor Center a special steel plate is used to connect the douglas fur columns to the ground. The plate has 3 ridges and sits in the center of the column, ensuring that the wood will not pull free and has the added benefit of hiding the steel structure and maintaining the rustic wood vocabulary. A similar technique is employed on the glulam beams supporting the rafters for the courtyard entry. Here a plate is placed on center into the log columns and extends up between two spaced beams and is bolted. This again has the added advantage of maintaining the desired aesthetic as well as creating a connection that will not pull the grain out of the wood. (2)