Milestone Unveiled for Planned Tallest Mass Timber Office Building in US
The record-breaking tower aims to emphasize "connection, wellness, and a sense of place," the developers told Newsweek.
The proposed Bevel tower in Bellevue, Washington, is set to become the tallest mass timber office building in North America, marking a significant milestone in architectural design. Collaborated on by Mithun and Waugh Thistleton Architects, the 12-story, 55-meter (180 feet) tall structure is being developed by Skanska, a firm known for major projects like MetLife Stadium and The Gherkin.
Skanska emphasizes that Bevel's success hinges on treating timber as the primary design driver rather than a supplementary material. The team faced the challenge of interpreting building codes for a project of its kind, which has not been attempted before in the U.S. While timber housing projects have been built using mass timber or non-combustible materials, no commercial office building has been constructed under these codes.
The exposed timber structure of Bevel aims to maximize height and story limits allowed by the new codes. Notably, Bevel is also expanding the possibilities of mass timber projects, with 100 percent of its ceilings exposed. If approved, Bevel will target LEED v4 Platinum certification, showcasing sustainable features such as integrated stormwater re-use systems, energy-efficient building systems, and biodiversity-focused site design.
The tower's biophilic design elements include a nature-infused lobby with large windows to maximize natural daylight, creating a warmer and more natural environment for workers.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
