Mass timber, the latest trend in sustainable architecture, not only provides an enchanting design aesthetic but significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
As the construction industry searches for solutions to reduce its carbon footprint, responsible for 40% of global CO2 emissions, mass timber buildings are gaining popularity. Traditional materials like steel and concrete, which alone contribute to 5% of global emissions, are carbon-intensive and difficult to decarbonize. In contrast, timber is harvested from trees that naturally store carbon from the atmosphere, making mass timber a sustainable choice that not only stores carbon but also combats emissions during construction.
Mass timber is a family of engineered wood products made by bonding smaller wood elements to create large, durable structural components. Known for its strength, versatility, and eco-friendliness, mass timber is increasingly being used in a variety of structural applications, adding a distinctive aesthetic while introducing new design and construction applications.
As a renewable resource, mass timber has the potential to drastically lower CO2 emissions in construction. Maximizing the use of mass timber construction will significantly reduce environmental pollution and create spaces that promote physical and psychological well-being.
Southstone Yards, a mixed-use development in Frisco, Texas, is currently the largest mass timber office building in the region. This seven-story, 242,000-square-foot building is designed to foster wellness and sustainability, with a wood structure that provides both a natural aesthetic and a healthier work environment.
The owners envisioned a warm, welcoming space that emphasized the structural timber and its connection to nature. Duda|Paine Architects, the design architect for Southstone Yards, focused on creating a tactile and visual relationship with the natural wood materials, while The Lighting Practice complemented the design with warm lighting (3000K) to enhance the wood tones. This approach emphasized the beauty of mass timber while aligning with the project’s goals of sustainability and employee well-being.
The exterior glows with soft, inviting lighting, subtly revealing the structural elements within. A balance of aesthetics and environmental responsibility guided the exterior design, with special attention given to dark sky regulations to protect the nighttime environment.
“As stewards to protecting the night sky, all light sources are oriented downward and/or protected by overhangs,” explains Jered Widmer IALD, MIES, Principal at The Lighting Practice.
This thoughtful approach to lighting design ensures the building stands out at night while minimizing light pollution.
Creating outdoor spaces within the building fosters a harmonious relationship between employees and their surroundings.
“Southstone Yards features double-height terraces on the building’s north and west with visual connections to the neighboring park and the horizon of the Dallas metro area, allowing for moments of respite outdoors protected from the elements,” says Kyle Springer AIA, Architect at Duda|Paine.
Emphasizing the building’s connection to nature, the terraces allow for an open-air working environment, promoting the well-being of the employees.
The distant views and initial approach to the building were important to telling the sustainability story. The designers developed a dynamic nighttime lighting scheme to highlight the timber structure, drawing attention to its beauty.
“While there is limited exposed timber on the exterior of this building, we identified the vertical columns at the tenant terraces as a primary focal point and focused on highlighting their strength and warmth,” says Jered Widmer.
Upon arrival, a key design goal was to transform the two-story glass lobby into a lantern-like focal point to guide people inside. Hidden light sources within ceiling coves and pockets were used to softly illuminate the wood ceiling finish, providing a subtle yet impactful effect.
The first floor of the building is constructed on a concrete podium, the architects found creative ways to incorporate natural materials into the entryway to hint at the mass timber elements featured on the above floors.
“Entering the building’s lobby through the west entry showcases a communicating stair to the mezzanine with glulam treads framed by a dramatically lit preserved moss wall. Other wood elements were used throughout the conference spaces and elevator lobby to elevate the level of finish to these spaces and highlight the beauty of wood,” says Kyle Springer.
The moss wall reinforces the space’s biophilic design, enhancing the natural theme of wellness and sustainability. Featuring a staircase flush with the wall, it prevented the linear LED grazer that tucks into a pocket along the top from illuminating the bottom of the moss wall.
“To creatively solve this, we hid a low-voltage linear light source at the back face of the outer stringer to cast light onto the lower moss wall, keeping in mind a finished look for those that might catch a glimpse of the source,” explains Jered Widmer. “The change in lighting strategy works well to compliment the less textured moss specimens used under the stairs.”
Lighting a mass timber structure presents unique challenges. The solid wood elements are often the primary architectural feature, and lighting must enhance rather than detract from their natural beauty. However, since mass timber construction doesn’t easily accommodate hidden electrical infrastructure, designers must find creative ways to integrate lighting fixtures while minimizing visible conduits and junction boxes. In addition, building systems like ductwork and electrical lines must be thoughtfully laid out.
“With the structure often left exposed in mass timber buildings, these items that are usually hidden behind finishes are revealed to the users of the space more than ever. Well laid out ductwork and electrical runs will not draw undue attention to themselves and allow the beauty and warmth of the wood to be the focal point,” explains Kyle Springer.
Southstone Yards exemplifies how architecture can embody wellness and sustainability. Built from mass timber, it reduces CO2 emissions and promotes a healthier environment for both its occupants and the planet. By fostering a deep connection to nature and using renewable materials, this project reflects a forward-thinking approach to combating climate change through innovative design.
Photos of Southstone Yards be Jered Widmer, The Lighting Practice
