When Under Armour (UA) started planning a new building on their Baltimore, Maryland, campus, they wanted it to reflect their commitment to optimizing performance and acting sustainably. We helped architect Gensler to embody these values in the design of Teammate Building 2 (TMB2), UA’s new global headquarters. The 280,000-square-foot office building is being constructed almost entirely of mass timber – an eco-conscious choice that cuts the structure’s embodied carbon (EC) and imparts an appealing aesthetic to its interior spaces. Our structural design also supports a rainwater capture system, a green roof and a canopy carrying photovoltaic panels to help the new headquarters achieve net-zero-energy operations.
During the first phase of design, we collaborated with Gensler to develop structural schemes for mass timber, concrete and steel to uncover the pros and cons of each. We calculated quantity estimates for all three and used Beacon – the EC-tracking Revit plug-in we developed – to assess the EC impacts of all three materials. These details helped UA evaluate the options and make a fully informed decision to choose timber.
There’s still a massive learning curve when it comes to mass timber projects of this scale. Working with trusted partners allows for a smooth process to ensure we deliver on the client’s vision and desired experience.
JJ Rivers, Gensler
When Austrian mass-timber supplier binderholz was selected, we engaged with their team on the design of structural components. Switching from imperial to metric measurements was just one part of it. Collaborating closely, we evolved our design to accommodate their proprietary connections and adjust member sizes to match their fabrication practices. “Mass timber hasn’t standardized yet,” says Thornton Tomasetti Associate and Lead Engineer Doug Schweizer, “so conforming our structural details to their preferences was much more cost-effective than specifying custom shapes. And at the same time, we could make sure the final design didn’t stray from Gensler’s vision.”