Vitus Project – Seattle, WA

DETAILS

Architect: Graham Baba Architects

Interior Designer: Charlie Hellstern

Photographer: Kevin Scott

Flooring:
MATE – European White Oak
Original Cut, Character Grade
Prefinished with Hardwax Oil, Voids Filled
Tongue & Groove, Endmatched, Microbeveled Edges and Ends
Engineered: 5/8” thick (4mm wear layer) x 7” wide x 2′-10’

Awards:
IIDA NPC INawards – INworkplace Mid Award

The Vitus Project entails the revitalization of a three-story structure in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood on 2nd Avenue. Constructed with a combination of timber and masonry, the building was renovated to welcome new retail and office tenants on the first and second floors. The upper floors have been tailored to suit the building owner’s needs, showcasing a newly added Penthouse structure and additional roof decks on both the east and west sides. As occupants move from one space to another, the consistent use of European White Oak creates a smooth and interconnected ambiance, promoting a sense of unity and flow within the overall structure. This intentional design choice reflects meticulous attention to detail, resulting in a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also thoughtfully functional.

The incorporation of authentic wood flooring into commercial spaces combines timeless beauty with practical advantages. The innate elegance of wood cultivates a sophisticated atmosphere, while its strength ensures resilience in areas with heavy foot traffic. The smooth surface simplifies maintenance, fostering a hygienic environment. Moreover, real wood’s natural insulation properties contribute to improved energy efficiency, ultimately lowering monthly operational costs.

reSAWN TIMBER co. offers interior elegance with our European White Oak collection, suitable for a range of applications such as wide plank flooring, wall and ceiling cladding, stairs, and custom designs. This wood species is valued for its tight grain pattern, appealing color and tone, durability, and biophilic elements. Our genuine wood flooring not only stands the test of time but also aligns with sustainability principles. European White Oak is offered in wide plank and original cut and rift & quarter options, and FSC® certification is available upon request.

Project Needs: Graham Baba Architects sought a sleek and simple aesthetic while respecting the inherent qualities of the existing building and its adaptive usage. The client engaged with a specification consultant from reSAWN TIMBER co., conveying a desire to integrate European White Oak flooring to meet their design aspirations.

Project Solutions: With confidence, the clients selected MATE European White Oak flooring for its refined grain pattern and timeless aesthetic. With its hardness and durable characteristics, the floor can endure heavy foot traffic without compromising the wood’s timeless charm.

Project Results: reSAWN has worked closely with Graham Architects on various projects. Their repeated satisfaction highlights the superior quality and aesthetics of reSAWN TIMBER co.’s products. Our European White Oak offered the versatile capacity to complement the aesthetic and functionality of each room of the Vitus Project. The richness of MATE’s grain pattern and the natural hues contribute to a warm ambiance, creating a hospitable atmosphere for both visitors and employees.

Graham Baba Architects, situated in the Pacific Northwest, is a distinguished firm recognized for their skillful craftsmanship in developing captivating commercial, residential, and artistic spaces. Whether revitalizing existing structures or constructing new ones, the firm is committed to infusing authenticity into every building.

Charlie Hellstern Interior Design crafts enchanting environments that embrace and foster the daily experiences of living, loving, working, and growing. Every space within the structure serves as a tribute to the unique preferences of the clients, unveiling and celebrating their individual sense of beauty.

Photographer Kevin Scott is renowned for his minimalistic approach, skillful utilization of natural light, and constant quest for serenity. His work seeks to capture the emotional essence of a location by embracing its ambiance and imperfections. Consequently, his photographs possess both cinematic and documentary qualities, reflecting a humanist spirit that naturally highlights people, whether in the frame or not.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Head Quarters – Washington D.C.

DETAILS

Architect: Perkins and Will

Photographer: Halkin Mason Photography

Flooring:
CUSTOM – North American White Oak
Rift & Quarter Sawn, Select Grade
Species: Quercus Alba
FSC® Mix Credit
Prefinished with Matte Polyurethane
Tongue & Groove, Endmatched, Microbeveled Edges and Ends
Engineered: 5/8” thick (4mm wear layer) X 6” wide X 2′-10’

Awards:
2023 NAIOP Award of Merit for Best Sustainable Project
2023 ASID Honors – FOCUS Wellness – Large Firm Merit Recipient
2023 District of Columbia AIA Citation for Resources (AIA DC Chapter)
2023 Premiere Design Awards, Finalist-Design with Purpose (IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter)

Sustainability:
LEED ID+C v4.1 Platinum
WELL v2 Platinum
TRUE net zero Waste

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) headquartered in Washington D.C. has achieved an esteemed triple Platinum certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE), and WELL. This triple certification underscores USGBC’s dedication to fostering healthy, productive, sustainable, and responsible workplaces. The redesign illustrates how renovations can be both cost-effective and environmentally conscious. USGBC’s goal was to create a hybrid work environment that catered to various types of work styles. With several conference rooms, a podcast studio, public collaboration areas, and unassigned desks, the office fosters a conducive, adaptable, and healthy work environment for its staff. Centered on biophilic elements, the design incorporates reSAWN’s North American White Oak flooring to harmonize with the office’s natural lighting and living plant walls. Incorporating natural elements within an urban environment improves air quality, provides a sense of connection to the natural world, and improves mood and cognitive function. This approach enhances the overall well-being of employees, both physically and mentally.

USGBC is a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability in building design, construction, and operation. Its most notable contribution is the development of the LEED green building rating systems, that offers a structured approach to creating environmentally conscious and energy-efficient structures. LEED certification is widely recognized and used as a standard for green building practices worldwide.

Implementing real wood flooring in commercial offices combines timeless aesthetics with practical benefits. The inherent beauty of wood creates a sophisticated ambiance, while its durability ensures resilience in high foot traffic areas. Its smooth surface makes maintenance easy and fosters a hygienic environment. Furthermore, real wood’s natural insulation properties enhance energy efficiency, reducing monthly operational costs.

North American White Oak by reSAWN TIMBER co. showcases an elegant grain pattern available for both rift & quarter flooring and wall cladding applications. Rift & quarter sawn lumber is produced by first cutting the log into quarters and then making alternating cuts that are perpendicular to the annual growth rings. Quarter sawing produces boards with mostly vertical grain and distinctive markings often referred to as “flecks”, “flakes” or “ray flecks” caused by the medullary rays of the log.

Project Needs: The USGBC aimed to downsize its headquarters and convert it into a hybrid work environment. The organization sought products that seamlessly blend nature with design.

Project Solutions: Perkins and Will reached out to reSAWN TIMBER co. to specify our CUSTOM FSC-Certified North American White Oak flooring. The client wanted a sustainable material that was clear grade and rift & quarter.

Project Results: The clients were satisfied with the flooring product as it helped appeal to the office’s biophilic design. The project stands out as a source of inspiration for effectively repurposing materials, minimizing new construction, and reducing carbon emissions.

Perkins and Will is an international architecture and design firm with a prominent presence in architecture, interior design, and planning. They are known for their commitment to sustainable and environmentally conscious design, as well as their focus on creating spaces that positively impact the well-being of occupants.

Halkin | Mason Photography is a Philadelphia-based architectural photography practice led by partners Barry Halkin and Todd Mason. They have collaborated with renowned architects on various projects throughout the United States and internationally.