Designed, developed and constructed by-and-for BA Collective Studio, this mass timber office building was the first mass timber project for the city of Santa Monica at the time of its design and permitting phases in 2018, and acted as a case study for the city to understand the value of this sustainable construction system.
Although the original site was only a single surface parking lot, the lot’s void afforded the opportunity to do ground-up construction and build a mass timber structure. Once completed in 2021, it comprised two stories and mezzanine, a second-floor deck, and a rooftop terrace. Flexibility within the design also allows for future multi-tenant use.
Driven by a desire to explore the potential of mass timber, the architect incorporated exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors and ceilings. Reinforced CMU walls were used within the lateral system and intentionally left uncovered to highlight the distinct natural materiality.