Under Armour Global Headquarters

Under Armour set bold new standards with this iconic project, showing what can happen when a leading sportswear company decides to construct a headquarters that embodies its sustainability values and celebrates a deep commitment both to its team of employees and hometown of Baltimore. Mass timber was a key contributor to its success.

The achievements are impressive. Designed to LEED v4 Platinum, WELL Platinum, net zero energy operational standards, and more, the facility also creates a workplace that feels intentional yet exceptional, supporting individual well-being and team collaboration.

The five-story, 287,000-square-foot project also exemplifies how design teams can successfully use Type IV-C construction for commercial buildings. The hybrid structure combines glulam beams and columns and CLT panels with reinforced concrete cores for lateral resistance. The difference in movement between the mass timber and cast-in-place concrete demanded careful detailing. Architects designed connection points to accommodate the larger allowable tolerance in the concrete, mitigating the risk of installation delays.

Inside, the 30×30-foot grid forms large open spaces; the design uses a double beam system to meet loading demands. To facilitate primary MEP distribution, girders were partially dropped to keep distribution lines within the beam depth and avoid girder penetrations. To route secondary systems such as lighting, narrow slots were fabricated into the tops of beams to permit perpendicular crossovers and avoid the need for glulam member penetrations. The wood system is left visible throughout.