REI’s new headquarters is all about the outdoors

Located in Bellevue, Wash., the new REI headquarters building will feature many opportunities for employees to get outside with courtyards, bridges, and open park space.

The eight-acre campus will feature nearly 400,000-sf of space spread across three buildings in the Spring District neighborhood. The landscape will become a seamless part of the public and private realms through a series of pedestrian connections, interior courtyards, and a large-scale roof deck. It will feature plants that celebrate the native and agricultural heritage of the area. 

The buildings’ facades will include large windows and garage doors that can be opened to help bring the surrounding nature inside. Much of the outdoor space can be used for meetings on nice days and can also be combined, thanks to the roll up garage doors, with indoor space, giving employees options on how to work and attend meetings.

Interior workstations were made from oak butcher blocks in an effort to reduce waste. Reclaimed wood from dead trees and bridge beams was also used to make conference tables and chairs. The interior features an abundance of stairs, more than were necessary, so employees of the company that promotes an active lifestyle can get up and move around. 

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The Build Team also includes: GGN (landscape architect), KPFF (structural engineer), and JMJ (civil engineer).