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Sanjay Gangal
Sanjay Gangal is the President of IBSystems, the parent company of AECCafe.com, MCADCafe, EDACafe.Com, GISCafe.Com, and ShareCG.Com. Innovation Curve in Palo Alto, California by Form 4 ArchitectureJanuary 5th, 2023 by Sanjay Gangal
Article source: Form 4 Architecture The dynamic architecture of the Innovation Curve at Stanford Research Park celebrates the creative process of technology, which is fundamental to the international success of Silicon Valley. The peaks and valleys of sweeping metal curves serve as architectural metaphors for the highs and lows of exploratory research and development. Designed by Form4 Architecture of San Francisco, the new development comprises four buildings on the edge of Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto. The LEED Platinum-certified project contributes to the site’s emergence as an uplifting campus for tenants involved with computer gaming, translation software, and digital inventions. Representing the evolution of innovation on the face of the buildings, the lyrical design serves as a potent visual reminder of the dedicated, expansive, and intense work taking place inside.  Image Courtesy © Barnes
 Image Courtesy © Barnes The Innovation Curve color-coded buildings are arranged around a central landscaped courtyard with diagonal pedestrian paths leading from adjacent streets through the site. Building 1 (yellow) and Building 2 (blue) are 66,700 square feet each; Building 3 (red) and Building 4 (purple) are 77,000 square feet each. The 35-foot-tall structures each comprises two offset wings flanking a central, glass-faced lobby to break up the building mass. In the lobbies, both the concrete courtyard paving and metal curves of building exteriors extend through the two-story spaces to create sculptural portals that connect to the outdoors. On the exteriors, projecting roofs and deep overhangs fabricated of painted recycled aluminum are configured to express the roller-coaster evolution of innovation. Tall two-story curves rise to represent the crescendo of the creative spark and pragmatic analysis of ideas, and descend to transition into long, horizontal bands symbolizing the implementation phase of invention. The architecture of the new research park captures the forward-leaning spirit of technology in metal and glass, evoking machined precision, transparency, and modernity. Thus, the process of creativity is made visible in three dimensions. Overhangs curving downward to low points near the ground capture the challenging process of risk assessment, market financing, and decision-making. From there, they rise to the ends of each building to express an uplifting conclusion to the innovation diagram. These projecting planes supply outdoor balconies offering vistas of the campus and the bits and bytes world outside the technology park.  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes In addition to their symbolic significance, the deep overhangs show green design can be light, sophisticated, and lyrical by working in combination with vertical glass fins to shade the building exteriors, control solar heat gain, and allow for greater transparency and connection to campus life. To allow for more exterior glass, deep horizontal sunshades also acting as light shelves extend from perimeter walls. Solar-controlled skylights augment the daylighting scheme to reduce the need for artificial illumination. To achieve its LEED Platinum certification, the building incorporates additional sustainable elements: automated shade infrastructure, high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems, high-performance cool roofs, solar photovoltaic power generation, recycling of construction waste, locally sourced materials, bioswales landscaped with native plants. The sustainable features contribute to a significant increase in thermal comfort, resulting in higher occupant satisfaction and productivity, as well as a gentle wear on mechanical systems.  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes The landscape program by Studio Five Design is centered on a core open space surrounded by the architecture. Landforms, water features, and biofiltration work in concert within this core layout to integrate the buildings and inform the site geometries in response to the Innovation Curve design. Two major site-circulation axes frame the oak grassland and campus common zones, and converge on the upper terrace and a lower water garden court. Walkways are intermittently edged with low corten steel walls with integral benches. Set under a canopy of honey locust trees, the campus common zones and lower water garden court provide ample room for dining activities, large break-out groups, and all-hands meetings. The oak grassland restoration zone occupies the east end of the central courtyard and is punctuated with preserved heritage oaks and infill natives/adaptive oak selections. The redwood preservation zone is a grove of existing and transplanted heritage sequoias that frames the campus entry and reinforces the site’s commitment to the existing native landscape. Biofiltration gardens with native and adaptive grasses, perennials, and trees contribute to the LEED Platinum certification and establish a habitat-rich environment within which small break-out seating areas are provided. The central campus common is in the lower water garden zone and is intended for assembly. The water garden zone is circled by reflecting pools, the upper dining terrace, and a lower water garden court.  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Barnes  Image Courtesy © Form 4 Architecture  Image Courtesy © Form 4 Architecture  Image Courtesy © Form 4 Architecture  Image Courtesy © Form 4 Architecture
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Tags: California, Palo Alto Categories: Offices, Research Station |
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