Cedar Speedster

Cedar Speedster pays homage to the neighborhood’s wood-centric history with heavy timber construction, exposed wood car deck ceilings and exterior cedar cladding. Housing the offices of a leading outdoor retailer, the exposed wood structure reflects the company’s commitment to authentic outdoor lifestyle and experiences. Two restaurants and a brewery taproom occupy the ground floor, which also features a large outdoor terrace. The expressive wood structure and cedar-clad exterior are accented by weathering steel, for a natural vibe that fits the neighborhood perfectly. Innovative connection details highlight the interaction between the wood structure and other materials. Glulam columns run continuously from the ground floor to the roof to reduce shrinkage and speed construction. Glulam girders were dropped below the bottom of the car decking to allow mechanical and fire systems to run over the beams, not below, and allow the beauty of the wood to remain visible. The Douglas fir decking was installed unfinished, leaving the natural wood free to create an environment designed to boost employee well-being and productivity.