The challenge of this project was to design a new state-of-the-art office building and stand-alone parking structure at the Merriweather Crescent Development in Columbia, MD. The new office A-1 building will be a 12-story mixed-use project of approximately 340,000 SF. The building design and massing will respond to the natural site and context of Merriweather. The building façade will incorporate glazing throughout to maximize interior views out while providing natural light in. The exterior façade will include structural expressions at critical massing nodes and an exterior, enclosed stair that expresses that integration of the building systems. This composition is critical to the design of the building. Anticipated building amenities will include ground floor retail on three sides of the building, a fitness center, rooftop amenity with a conferencing center and exterior terrace.