Southstone Yards
Project Team: Aspect Structural Engineers, Georgia Pacific, Sauter Timber, Rothoblaas, Seagate Mass Timber Inc., StructureCraft, Handel Architects, DeSimone Consulting Engineers, J.E. Dunn, Jamestown, SmartLam.
A Mass Timber Breakthrough in Dallas-Fort Worth
The Offices at Southstone Yards marks a significant milestone in Dallas-Fort Worth’s architectural landscape, featuring the first mass timber office building in the area. Designed as a seven-story mixed-use structure, this project sets a new precedent for sustainable and innovative commercial developments in the region.
Floors 2-7 are proudly constructed from Southern Pine glulam beams and CLT panels, showcasing the versatility and inherent beauty of engineered wood. The first-floor podium and core, made of concrete with flat plate post-tension slabs and concrete shear walls, provide robust lateral support, illustrating an effective and resilient hybrid structural approach.
Project Overview & Design Philosophy
The design of The Offices at Southstone Yards thoughtfully integrates a hybrid mass timber and concrete structure to achieve both exceptional efficiency and strength. The ground floor concrete podium provides a solid, stable base and lateral support, seamlessly transitioning to the lighter, warm aesthetic of Southern Pine mass timber on the upper floors. This innovative mixed-material approach allows for optimal structural performance while maximizing the aesthetic benefits of exposed timber within modern office environments, creating an inviting, dynamic, and unique workspace.
Sustainability & Innovation
Sustainability is a cornerstone of The Offices at Southstone Yards, with the project designed to achieve high environmental performance by targeting both LEED and Fitwel certifications. The strategic selection of Southern Pine glulam and CLT panels, sourced responsibly from Alabama, directly supports sustainable forestry practices and strengthens regional lumber markets. SmartLam North America’s supply of these high-quality mass timber materials was instrumental in enabling innovative structural solutions, significantly enhancing both the project’s overall efficiency and its design flexibility, while aligning with broader goals of environmentally responsible and future-forward developments.
A Pioneering Hybrid Structure in Dallas-Fort Worth
As the first mass timber office building in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, The Offices at Southstone Yards serves as a compelling showcase for intelligent hybrid construction. The strategic combination of a concrete podium and core with a mass timber superstructure (floors 2-7) exemplifies how different materials can be integrated to meet rigorous fire and building codes, specifically achieving a III-A Construction Type. This innovative blend of materials results in a highly efficient, structurally sound, and visually striking building, demonstrating a flexible and sustainable pathway for future commercial developments in the region and beyond.
Project Highlights
- Regional Pioneer: The first mass timber office building in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable commercial development.
- Hybrid Structural Design: Features an innovative combination of a concrete podium and core with Southern Pine glulam and CLT superstructure, balancing efficiency, strength, and aesthetic appeal.
- Sustainability Targets: Designed to achieve high environmental performance, actively targeting both LEED and Fitwel certifications for a healthier, greener building.
- Locally Sourced Materials: Utilizes Southern Pine from Alabama, directly supporting sustainable forestry practices and regional economies, underscoring a commitment to responsible sourcing.