Designed by ZGF Architects with Atlantic AE, the DII5 warehouse and office complex serves as a demonstration project for Amazon’s commitment to reducing embodied carbon and advancing sustainable design in large-scale industrial facilities.
Engaged by ZGF Architects, RDH Building Science (RDH) played a central role in shaping the building’s enclosure strategy. From early design through construction, the team provided building enclosure consulting, hygrothermal modeling, and mass timber moisture management consulting, and field reviews to support the durability of the structure built primarily from exposed mass timber. RDH’s early analysis evaluated numerous exterior wall and roof assembly configurations, including assessing the feasibility of exterior wood fiber insulation as a carbon-reducing measure. Hygrothermal modeling assessed thermal performance and identified long-term moisture durability risks, guiding the team toward assemblies that balanced sustainability, constructability, and long-term performance. The final wall assembly selected was an exterior insulated rainscreen assembly that utilized a thermally broken cladding attachment.
RDH provided ongoing building enclosure consulting, reviewed shop drawings, made recommendations for assembly detailing, and reviewed the general contractor’s mass timber moisture management plan to confirm that moisture protection measures would be appropriate for the regional climate and remain effective throughout construction and enclosure sequencing.
During construction, RDH’s field reviews were a pivotal part of the quality control processes for the building enclosures. However, because of the moisture sensitivity of mass timber, RDH’s field reviews and mock-up assessments were of even greater importance to verify that the integrity of the mass timber structure is adequately protected from construction moisture and exterior water in service. While on site, the RDH team identified potential sources of moisture exposure at the roof parapets. Early identification enabled the general contractor to take prompt action to prevent water accumulation in the moisture-sensitive timber structure.
The completed facility demonstrates that large-scale industrial buildings can pursue ambitious sustainability goals without compromising durability. By integrating mass timber construction with robust enclosure detailing and moisture management strategies, the team achieved their innovative design and reduced embodied carbon goals while supporting a longer service life for the structure.
