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For Scott | Edwards Architecture, designing its new headquarters was unlike any project the firm had carried out before.

鈥淚t was a group effort, and it was a great experience too,鈥� project architect Eric Wenzel said. 鈥淚t’s kind of experimental and we’re trying out some new things with (cross-laminated timber). We were just trying to really dial in the experience of what we want to have going forward.鈥�

Much of the firm’s existing building at 2525 E. Burnside St. was demolished in January; only vintage wooden bowstring trusses were delicately shotblasted and given new life. Now a three-story addition is being constructed.

The general contractor, Joseph Hughes Construction, is keenly aware of the importance the project holds for its longtime client.

鈥淲hen you’re building their new headquarters it’s a little bit different,鈥� senior project manager George Quillen said 鈥淚t’s an opportunity to really strengthen our relationship. We’ve gotten to know them much, much better as people. The teamwork we’ve had and the details of this building working for an architect 鈥� we had to be so tight as a team. So it’s been awesome.鈥�

Much of the 16,800-square-foot space will include mass-timber elements manufactured by DR Johnson Wood Innovations of Riddle.

鈥淭here’s lots of exposed wood,鈥� Quillen said. 鈥淥ne of the things that we did in here was bring back the glory of the old bow truss ceiling, and we media-blasted it, and it came out looking really good.鈥�

Notable features will include: a large, vertical wood screen fabricated from white oak, a three-story staircase, bleacher seating for team meetings, and a roof deck with large, sliding glass doors. Sustainability is being incorporated via energy efficient windows, skylights for improved daylighting, a green roof, auto-dimming LED lighting, and abundant bike parking in the existing basement.

Earlier this month, crews wrapped up interior framing as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing work, and installation of the exterior membrane. They were then set to finish roofing and siding the three-story addition.

鈥淲e’re ready to button it up,鈥� Quillen said Dec. 1. 鈥淲e’re ready for storefronts. We’re ready for waterproofing.鈥�

The existing single-story structure will host the building entrance and workspaces, along with a massive, elevated CLT 鈥渟pine.鈥� A moving, glass nano-wall will open up to an exterior patio as part of an employee break room and kitchen.

The three-story addition will feature more work space, along with offices and conferences rooms. A rooftop patio will be available for staff.

Perhaps the most visually striking aspect of the addition will be the skylight-topped stairwell. It is designed to draw in visitors, as well as provide employees with a greater sense of space as they work.

鈥淭aking the existing building and adding on the addition, and doing our 25-foot opening, that was the most challenging,鈥� Wenzel said. 鈥淭hen taking the history of the old building, including the old bowstring trusses, and kind of tying them all together. We took the CLT, which is a new technology, and we kind of wanted to show the juxtaposition of the two 鈥� the beautiful mass-timber structures.鈥�

Then it was up to the builders to transform the vision into reality. Major subcontractors include: Timberland Inc. (interior wood framing and CLT installation), Frahler Electric, Harlen’s Drywall Co., Snyder Roofing, D&F Plumbing, Latimer HVAC and Browns Architectural Sheetmetal.

鈥淭here were a few challenges,鈥� Quillen said. 鈥淲e have (had to) be dead on with the steel package and correlate with (the) beam and CLT package,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e’ve done a couple of field modifications, and they’ve worked really good 鈥� beam lengths, knife plates, those kinds of details. It’s either absolutely right or it’s absolutely wrong. But this is going to be a magnificent deal up these stairs.鈥�

Substantial completion is expected by the end of February.

鈥淚t’s something you always dream about,鈥� Wenzel said. 鈥淵ou’re always working on all these other buildings, and you finally get to work on your own.鈥�