The Beam on Farmer®

Located in the Tempe Farmer Arts District, this unique building was constructed using cross-laminated timber (CLT). The 182,000 SF, 5-story office building features 13’ clear height with exposed wood ceilings, and glulam beams and columns. Below the office space, office/retail space occupies 16,000 SF on the ground floor; parking is provided in the adjacent 800-space parking structure.

One of the typical challenges with cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction is that it often requires a denser column grid compared to traditional concrete or steel systems. For this project, the design team addressed this by incorporating deeper beams, allowing the column spacing to approach that of a conventional office building. This approach creates a more open, airy environment while complementing the warmth of the exposed wood and highlighting the striking pattern created by the ceiling beams.

The building also features an underfloor, low-pressure air distribution system—among the first of its kind used in CLT construction. The system is only 8 inches deep, compared to 24 inches in a traditional raised-floor system. This low-profile technology distributes air to the building perimeter, improving thermal comfort, reducing energy use, and providing greater flexibility for occupants. The system enables higher ceiling heights and eliminates the need for tenants to install drop ceilings to conceal ductwork, preserving the clean aesthetic and allowing the exposed timber structure to remain a prominent design feature.

This Class A office building has many sustainable features and is the first cross-laminated timber (CLT) office building in Arizona.

Learn more about PK Associates’ work on this innovative project here.