The Silicon Valley of California is a famous place for technology companies, many of which are headquartered here, including Google, which recently opened its "tent campus" Bay View.
Nearly a decade after initial plans were announced in 2013 and construction began in 2017, Bay View and Charleston East are the newest additions to Google's headquarters, and they're also the company's first designed and built campuses.
▲Image from: Google
There is often a lot of information behind the different concepts and solutions used in design and architecture, and Bay View is no exception. Close to the San Francisco Bay and incorporating natural elements such as plants and sunlight, it is a natural community.
To improve the health and environment of employees, pro-biotic design principles were incorporated, taking into account greenery, natural lighting outdoor views of each table, and more.
▲ Image from: Google
Windows, for example, modulate direct light to desks with automatic curtains that can be opened and closed throughout the day. Plants are everywhere in the campus, separated by courtyards in different areas, and the indoor office areas, where openness and freedom are important, are also 'surrounded' by plants. The ventilation system also uses 100% outside air.
Not only is it a nature-rich community, 'all electric' it's a sustainable park. The two kitchens that serve the seven cafes are also equipped with electrical equipment rather than gas, a template for a completely carbon-free café and kitchen.
▲Image from: Google
There are two main buildings on the approximately 1.1 million square foot (102,193 square meter) campus that, unlike the usual design, appear to be undulating at the top. This is actually Bay View's first "dragon scale solar skin".
▲Image from: Google
That's right, this scale-like roof is used to produce solar energy, and it consists of 90,000 silver solar panels. The panels are combined with a pavilion-like roofline that captures the sun's energy from multiple angles.
When up and running, Bay View and Charleston East can generate about 7 MW of energy, which is about 40% of the renewable energy needed to meet energy demand.
▲Image from: Google
In line with Google's commitment to operate with carbon-free energy every day by 2030, the design prioritises renewable energy and Bay View's 'Dragon Scale Solar' maximises the building's solar potential. Together with the nearby wind farm, the campus is powered by carbon-free energy 90% of the time.
In addition to being completely 100% electric powered, Bay View has the largest geothermal pile system in North America. The integrated geothermal pile system is responsible for regulating heating and cooling. A massive geoexchange field is integrated into the structural system, reducing the amount of water normally used for cooling by 90%, which is equivalent to 5 million gallons per year.
▲Image from: Google
The park's retention ponds not only collect water for reuse, but also provide natural restoration, sea level rise protection and natural wetland beauty. The new willow grove along the stormwater pond provides a resource for wildlife.
▲Image from: Google
Bay View, near San Francisco Bay, has 17.3 acres of high value natural areas including wet meadows, woodlands, and marshes in hopes of reestablishing native landscapes and restoring Bay Area wetlands.
▲Image from: Google
The design of both projects began with a deep exploration of the powerful force at Google: its people. The design from here naturally prioritized the experience of the people in the building over the external form.
▲Image from: Google
The buildings on the campus are among the largest in the world to pursue LEED-NC v4 Platinum, and among the largest to pursue the Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). But more importantly, it's the people who are in the 'sustainable' Bay View and Charleston East campuses that are connected to nature.