Fifth + Tillery

• PV panels provide 478 kVA of energy
• $1.5 million in energy savings
• Rain gardens filter stormwater runoff
• Rainwater collection irrigates landscaping
• Condensate capture supplements irrigation
• Added daylighting offsets energy usage
• Mass timber serves structural and aesthetic functions

DAYLIGHT

The existing footprint of the building was quite large. Creating a space that allowed in light posed a challenge due to its long, rectangular shape and natural orientation. Up to 20% of a typical office building’s floor plate is taken up by a dark, central core that blocks access to daylight and natural views. We carved out the core of the building, creating a courtyard that runs lengthwise through the building’s primary entrance. This yielded 80-foot-deep floor plates, opening up the tenant spaces to natural light and outdoor areas while saving energy by reducing the use of artificial lighting.

HYBRID STEEL AND TIMBER STRUCTURE

We utilized a hybrid steel and timber structural system to reduce the project’s embodied carbon, while also bringing the natural beauty of wood into the space. The exterior Douglas fir laminated wood beams emphasize the connectivity from inside to out. The beams support the outdoor walkways of the building’s courtyard and each floor. Leftover cuts of the beams are used for outdoor benches, tables, and chairs to activate these spaces for outdoor meetings and socializing.

DESIGN FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

We inverted the assumption that interactions between tenants would occur inside by creating a series of exterior stairs and walkways — replacing a typical office building center core — that turned the building lobby and circulation inside out. This transformed the courtyard into a dynamic social space that encourages interaction with the landscape and other building occupants. We also designed a unique shared outdoor space on every level of the building. To encourage movement, the entry stairwell is a prominent design feature that guests see when they enter the building. Underneath the entryway is a large bike parking area to promote guest mobility.

GREEN SPACE

Limited to only a warehouse footprint to design within — and a site surrounded by surface parking without greenery — we set a goal to provide views of nature from all spaces within the building. Working with a local landscape architect, we brought in natural elements throughout the space. A grove of trees shades the front arrival plaza and extends into the central courtyard — creating a forest-like structure within the space — with a water runnel connecting two fountains at each end. To capture views of the city and provide open-air spaces, we created a series of roof terraces. This investment in green spaces creates not only a more resilient building but also a welcoming and healthy environment for tenants and visitors.

SOLAR PANELS

During the design process, our client had a goal to cover the entire building in photovoltaic (PV) panels, which inspired us to design a space that celebrated its sustainable features. In addition to covering most of the roof with PV panels, we created a large, three-story trellis of photovoltaics that extends over the front plaza and primary entrance — announcing the building’s sustainable solution to its guests. Functionally, these PV panels provide over 478 kVA of energy production, which is stored to offset peak demand when energy costs are highest. We estimate this will save nearly $1.5 million in energy over the building’s lifetime.

WATER COLLECTION AND RETENTION

We implemented a central rain garden that collects stormwater and condensate water from our HVAC system, with overflow water directed to additional rain gardens. This system provides water for our landscape elements where the building would normally shield them from rain. A separate water harvesting system collects condensate water to provide landscape irrigation and replenish water for the water fountains.