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First Tech Federal Credit Union’s Corporate Office Building by Hacker

First Tech Federal Credit Union’s mass timber office building in Hillsboro, Oregon is designed to connect people with nature

First Tech Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office Building by Hacker
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann

Hacker architects recently completed works on the new corporate office building for First Tech Federal Credit Union. Located in Hillsboro, Oregon, the design blurs the line between inside and out, and connects people with nature. Mass timber (cross laminated timber structural system), floor-to-ceiling windows with views to the park and creek that surround three sides of the building, as well as material details and finishes, reinforce the biophilic attributes of the design. Inside, the elegant timber frame is visible throughout and is complemented by a warm, natural material palette. The 156,000-square-foot building is LEED Gold certified, as well as 2030 Challenge compliant, and one of the largest examples of CLT construction in the US. Discover more after the jump.

First Tech Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office Building by Hacker
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann

From the architects:  First Tech Federal Credit Union’s motto is “People First” and their new Oregon campus is designed to support and promote the health, comfort, and happiness of their employees. Each design choice – from the cross laminated timber (CLT) structural system and the vast windows, down to the material details and finishes – aims to blur the line between inside and out, bridging a connection between people and nature.

First Tech Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office Building by Hacker
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann

Viewed from a distance, this 156,000-square-foot building nearly disappears into the landscape. The mirrored façade reflects the sky, trees, and creek, and the randomized pattern of the exterior paneling helps to minimize the visual size of the building. The boomerang-shaped building footprint creates an embraced courtyard that allows work and leisure spaces to spill outside. The site’s naturally sloped topography continues into the first and second floor, expressed through shallow terraces in the communal dining area and culminating in an amphitheater-style all hands space that expands into a double height atrium.

Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann

Much of the building’s design draws on the beauty of wood and the CLT structural system. The elegant timber frame is visible throughout the building, complemented by a warm, natural material palette. The glulam beams frame floor-to-ceiling views to the park and the creek that surrounds three sides of the site. Raised access floors conceal HVAC, electrical, and low-voltage systems, contributing to clear, uncluttered spaces that showcase the simple beauty of the CLT.

Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann
First Tech Federal Credit Union's Corporate Office Building by Hacker
Photography by © Jeremy Bittermann

The open office system is designed with emphasis on equitable access to natural light and views, with workstations on each floor arranged to ensure that all employees can benefit from biophilic opportunities, and that there are no “bad” workstations. Additional program elements in this office build include: a distinctive central commons with stadium-style seating, capable of accommodating large gatherings and presentations; a kitchen and lunch room adjacent to the courtyard; a coffee bar, which is operated and staffed by students through a partnership with the local school district; a game room; training rooms; private huddle rooms; and flexible collaboration spaces with retractable walls allowing teams and work groups to define their own spaces as needed.

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The building is LEED Gold certified. An exemplary score was awarded in the regional materials category as all the columns, beams, and CLT were sourced and refined within 500 miles of the site. First Tech is also one of the largest mass timber and CLT buildings in the U.S.

Hacker Design Team
Corey Martin – Design Principal
Jennie Fowler – Interior Design Principal
Stefee Knudsen – Project Manager
Chandra Robinson – Project Architect
Scott Barton-Smith – Project Designer
Brad Smith – Project Designer
Vijayeta Davda – Project Designer
Maddy Mackin Freeman – Interior Design
Matt Sugarbaker – Project Designer
Amelie Reynaud – Project Designer

Project Team
Architecture and Interiors: Hacker
Contractor: Swinerton
Landscape: WHPacific
Civil Engineer: WHPacific
Structural Engineer: Kramer Gehlen
Mechanical & Plumbing Engineer: Apollo
Electrical Engineer: On Electric Group
Lighting: O-LLC
Acoustical Engineer: Listen Acoustics
Client: First Tech Federal Credit Union

Photography
Jeremy Bittermann

Find more projects by Hacker: www.hackerarchitects.com

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