Mass Timber @ Google
We celebrated a major milestone today with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Google’s first mass timber building at 1265 Borregas in Sunnyvale, California.
This project and team are near and dear to me for so many reasons. It all started 7 years ago when we began researching mass timber at a time when it wasn’t widely used in construction in the US. Our goal was to explore how we could develop a building that empowers Googler well-being, creates extraordinary human experience, dramatically reduces carbon emissions while also not costing more or taking more time than traditional construction.
Mass timber provides significant environmental benefits through its regenerative, carbon-sequestering properties as well as the reduction in embodied carbon. Because of this, 1265 Borregas is projected to have 96% fewer embodied carbon emissions than an equivalent steel and concrete structure!
Fast forward to today, and this beautiful building is now open to Googlers!
It showcases our focus on nature-based (or biophilic) workplace design since research suggests people have many cognitive benefits (better memory and more calm, creative, productive, healthy) when they have access to nature, views, daylight, natural colors, patterns and materials. 1265 Borregas has all of this and more. The space feels inviting and comforting when you walk in, but it also evokes a sense of awe and connectedness. There are team neighborhoods and various types of lounges to give choice and support to all the ways teams are collaborating and co-creating. There are quiet focus rooms sprinkled throughout with sweeping views of the Norcal landscape, perfect for heads down focus work or moments for inspiration and restoration.
We hope mass timber becomes the new default construction technique for the industry and are so grateful for this incredible cross functional dream team who helped bring 1265 Borregas to life including MGA | Michael Green Architecture XL Construction SERA Architects Equilibrium Consulting Sares Regis Group Atelier Ten @SWA Landscape Architecture, Structurlam, Permasteelisa and of course incredible partners at the City of Sunnyvale, and Google’s super talented internal Real Estate project team. There are too many people to thank, but tagging a few who I was lucky to work with closely.
Michael Green Natalie Telewiak David Beck al Artieres Chad Hamilton Suzanne Blair Rose Formosa Yayu Lin Scott Foster Matt Werner Kevin Jones Alexa Arena A Camille Gennaio, FMP Kathleen Popovec, LEED AP Jeff Holzman Adam Dell Kate Turpin Chris Garvin Ryan Lamont Jamie Jordan David Gensemer Kevin Antonelli Mary Davidge David Radcliffe Matt Hood Brendon Harrington Brid Morton Peter Kemp Christopher Kubala, MCR Danielle Benz, AIA, CID, LEED AP Preeti Acharya Kristina Dee Bruch
Photos by Mark Wicken
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Blog post by Scott Foster ESG News Mercury News
