Bevel
North America's tallest mass timber office building
Location
Bellevue, USA
Client
Skanska
Waugh Thistleton Architects and Mithun are collaborating on the design of Bevel, an innovative mass timber office tower in downtown Bellevue, Washington, led by global construction and development firm Skanska. The 12-storey, approximately 18,580 m2 project represents a significant leap towards mass timber high-rises in North America.
As designed, this project would be the tallest mass timber commercial office building in North America.
While tall timber multifamily and student housing projects have been built under Type IVB construction provisions, no commercial office building has yet used this code path. At 55 meters tall, Bevel’s exposed timber structure design would maximise the height and storey limits allowed by these new codes.
Mass timber columns, beams, and ceilings will be fully exposed throughout the office floors and in the ground-floor public areas. Additional biophilic design elements that enrich the daily experience include a nature-infused lobby with floor-to-ceiling glazing, ample natural daylight with full-height perimeter windows and gathering spaces that create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments.
This is the first design collaboration between WTA and West-Coast-based Mithun. The project incorporates the latest thinking in workplace design, mass timber research and sustainable systems from both continents.
The building will feature a mass-timber structural system above grade, supported by a steel core and lateral system in this high seismic zone, along with a below-grade concrete parking structure. Bevel highlights the growing role of the Pacific Northwest's timber and manufacturing ecosystem in advancing lower-carbon construction solutions while supporting regional economic activity.
In addition to reducing embodied carbon compared to traditional construction methods, exposed mass timber surfaces support the long-term positive health and well-being of building occupants through multi-sensory stimulation, increasing productivity and reducing stress.
The design targets LEED v4 Platinum, Fitwel 2-Star and Salmon-Safe certifications. Additional sustainable features include integrated stormwater capture and reuse systems, extensive native landscaping, enhanced pedestrian connections, biodiversity-focused site design and energy-efficient building systems (including full electrification) designed for future proofing and resilience that will support long-term operational performance.
Significant public-realm improvements are integral to the welcoming design of Bevel, such as expanded sidewalks, enhanced streetscape elements, improved pedestrian circulation, new landscaping and other infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen connectivity and a sense of place within Bellevue's downtown core.
"Mass timber is much more than just a building material," said Stewart Germain, Director of Innovation & Sustainability for Skanska USA Commercial Development. "It represents an opportunity to rethink how people experience buildings. At Bevel, the timber will be a visible part of the daily tenant experience, creating a warmer, more natural environment that reflects the growing demand for wellness-focused spaces and biophilic design that enables organizations to seek and retain the best talent.”
