Brought to you by:Architect: KTGYLocation: Morgan HillCompletion Date: 2025Mass timber construction has arrived in Morgan Hill, California, a small city located south of San Jose. A new structure known as the Edes Building has risen near the center of town, housing a contemporary art gallery and a wine bar that draws from the regions plentiful vineyards. Eager to showcase the buildings use of wood, design architect KTGY exposed glulam columns and beams on the interior, pairing this with Douglas fir exterior siding treated according to Shou Sugi Ban, a Japanese wood burning technique that creates a black charred appearance. The Edes Building occupies a previously vacant corner lot along Monterey Road, one of the citys main commercial thoroughfares. To acclimate the structure to the local context, the massing of the building is deferential to surrounding structures as well as the hillsides that loom in the background of Morgan Hill. On one end of Monterey Road, the buildings height reaches upward to match the cornice line of a historic building located across the street from the site, while sloping downward on the other to avoid imposing on the adjacent single story commercial properties to the southeast. Mirroring the grade of Morgan Hills picturesque hillsides, the Edes Buildings longitudinal elevation, which runs along 2nd Street, slopes upward in height from each end, reaching a gentle peak at its midpoint.Additionally, small cutouts were subtracted from the mass to create entrances to the wine bar and gallery, as well as a small balcony on the second floor.At night, the contrast between the buildings charred exterior and its illuminated timber interior intensifies. (Mike Schwartz)KTGY served as the projects design architect and interior designer, while also supplying branding for the developments two tenants: Cura Contemporary and Vra Wine Bar. The interior of both spaces are defined by the presence of exposed timber. The mission of the galleryrepresenting local and regional artistssuggested to us that the gallery should be as specific as the artnot a white box gallery, Mark Oberholzer, principal at KTGY, told AN. We decided that a straightforward approach would be to expose the construction and movement thought the building, and that exposed mass timber would create a warmly inviting gallery that would encourage rather than intimidate visitors.The interior palette of the building is defined by exposed timber. (Mike Schwartz)In contrast to the buildings blonde timber interiors, charred Douglas fir siding was applied to the buildings facade. KTGY utilized the ancient Japanese method of timber preservation, Shou Sugi Ban, where controlled burns across the surface of the wood planks improves resistance to damage from water, rot, and insects. This method was selected not only for its durable results, but also to create a more modest exterior expression for the building, which already differs significantly from Morgan Hills existing architecture. To heighten the juxtaposition between interior and exterior, KTGY applied clear-finished Douglas fir panels to the soffits and subtractive spaces at the buildings openings. At night, these spaces are illuminated, causing them to pop against dark backdrop of the facade. Another dramatic opening occurs along 2nd Street, where an oblique window follows the ascent of the gallerys main staircase. The cutout also highlights a series of origami pendant lamps that hang above the staircase, projecting their glow to the street.With the buildings 2nd Street elevation facing the western sun, KTGY implemented a series of vertical fins across the facade. While these elements were originally intended to be wood, an aluminum product with a wood-like texture was ultimately chosen to avoid warping, which might have occurred as the wood settled.Contrast, color, and lighting design are all at play in the design of the Edes Building. (Mike Schwartz)Though this is Morgan Hills first mass timber building, KTGY reported that they did not encounter major issues introducing the material to local trades. Mass timber was new to the contractor; however, weve found that most good contractors are both intrigued and interested in getting experience in what may be an increasing share of construction, said Oberholzer. The components, manufactured off-site with very good tolerance, are so refined that the process is primarily installation, rather than rough construction.In a press release, the firm mentions that the construction of the building, particularly the installation of its 40-foot-long CLT beams, was a spectacle in-and-of-itself to local residents. In the coming years, this sight will hopefully become more common.Project SpecificationsArchitect: KTGYLandscape Architect: RANAStructural Engineer: John A. Martin & AssociatesElectrical Engineer: GiacaloneCivil Engineer: KPFFLighting Design: ChromaticMechanical & Plumbing: K2D Consulting EngineersSignage and Wayfinding: KTGYGeneral Contractor: Kent ConstructionGlazing Contractor: Glass Concepts by ClineFacade Installation: FramecomCurtain Wall / Storefront Glazing: ArcadiaAluminum Sun Shade Battens: KnotwoodShou Sugi Ban Siding: Pioneer MillworksVertical Grain Douglas fir: Pioneer MillworksGlass: VitroSkylights: Royalite