Using a mostly timber wood frame helped us achieve our rigorous sustainability goals and set a new standard for offices. Uniquely accentuated window frames jut out from the buildings to provide exterior shading and reduce the need for cooling.
Material selection was critical, and we emphasized low-carbon footprint techniques, such as wood cladding, cellulose insulation and mineral wool insulation. We also locally sourced sustainably harvested cedar siding to make the solution easily replicable for ongoing sustainable office development.
The project demanded intense collaboration and trust across multiple developers and neighborhood groups. The goal was to progress the area’s social equity, and we helped achieve it by building smaller in favor of public courtyard space. The open, landscaped courtyard now invites interaction and gives back to the community. We also helped secure unused parking from an adjacent church, which now provides them income and ongoing inclusivity in the neighborhood.
Teamwork made this project one of our most successful. Working across varying needs of multiple stakeholders, our design goes beyond influencing the tenant’s business and processes to support a grander neighborhood vision. The result is a innovative commercial space that elevates the bar for future area development.