​CLIENT

Confidential
 

TIMESCALE

1 year​

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COLLABORATION

Client, consultants (structural, mechanical, equipment, plumbing, fire)

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CONTRIBUTION

Concept through Schematic Design; Specific responsibilities included project management, consultant coordination, cross-functional collaboration, and design for building and landscape

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project was to transform a conventional speculative office building into a dynamic, wellness-focused workplace that integrates mass timber construction, sustainable strategies, and public amenities. By leveraging material innovation and workplace research, the design aimed to create a more attractive and adaptable office environment that responds to shifting tenant expectations. The approach prioritized reducing embodied carbon while maintaining existing entitlements, including floor area ratio, general building massing, and below-grade parking.

APPROACH: Collaborated closely with the client and a multidisciplinary team of consultants to reimagine the building's structural system, converting it from cast-in-place concrete to mass timber. This involved developing an efficient timber grid aligned with the existing parking layout, eliminating the need for an expensive transfer slab. The design incorporated timber bracing to meet lateral structural requirements and featured cantilevered glulam beams to create outdoor "rooms" on each floor, providing tenants with direct access to nature. The site was regraded to preserve existing live oaks and integrate additional native plantings, enhancing the natural environment and creating shaded outdoor spaces. Amenities such as a coffee shop, co-working spaces, a fitness center, and trail connections were included to promote wellness and community engagement.

 

RESULTS: The redesigned facility successfully transformed a typical speculative office building into a sustainable, wellness-focused workplace that appeals to modern tenants. Mass timber reduced the building's embodied carbon and provided a biophilic environment that enhanced occupant well-being. Integrating outdoor spaces and amenities fosters a sense of community and encourages social interaction among tenants. The project serves as a case study for reimagining existing commercial building stock to meet the evolving demands of the workplace, demonstrating that thoughtful design.