Google Downtown West Design Guidelines

San Jose, CA

Firm

Grimshaw

Project Type

Master Plan

Duration

2019 - 2020 / 1 Year

Phases Involved In

Massing Studies

Design Guidelines

Size

85 Acres

Project Description

Google invited Grimshaw to assist in developing its proposal for a new mixed-use urban destination in Downtown West San Jose. The 85-acre project is comprised of up to 7.3 million square feet of office space, 4,000 housing units, and a host of retail, cultural, arts and learning spaces, nestled amongst a suite of parks and urban plazas. Located adjacent to the expanding Diridon Station transportation hub, Grimshaw has been engaged since 2019 as part of a multi-disciplinary team to help develop and co-author the project’s framework plan and design guidelines, through an intense and ongoing schedule of city and community engagement milestones.

Since the project’s inception in 2019, I have been actively involved in numerous design explorations. These include the massing of several prominent office buildings, programming of the ground-floor activation, and the development of design guidelines, which were subsequently codified in a comprehensive design standards and guidelines document. Collaborating with Heatherwick Studios, I contributed to various aspects of the master plan, presenting weekly updates to the Google client team.

Massing Studies

I played a key role in developing massing studies for three distinct sites, encompassing a total of 2.4 million square feet of office space and associated amenities. This work involved careful consideration of factors such as floorplate size, solar orientation, vertical circulation, ground-floor access, and the integration of each building with the public realm. The massing studies served as integral components of the Planned Development Permit and the community outreach efforts.

Workplace Planning

I conducted comprehensive design studies, concept testing, and strategic explorations focused on Google’s workplace planning. This included envisioning new approaches to workplace design, place-making, and ways to create strong neighborhood connections across the campus. I also actively participated in think-tanks dedicated to exploring the “workplace of the future,” aligning with Google’s workplace philosophy and accounting for considerations related to a post-pandemic future.

Ground Floor Activation

I played a significant role in shaping the activation of the ground floor, often referred to as the “First 40’.” This involved conducting site-specific studies tailored to the unique characteristics of each site, taking into account factors such as proximity to adjacent office or residential buildings, historical context, site access, and open spaces. Distinct neighborhood zones were created and programmed across the master plan to ensure that the campus was properly integrated into the San Jose community.

Design Guidelines

Upon completion of these studies, I collaborated with Sitelab Urban Studio and West 8 to create The Downtown West Design Standards. This document, submitted to the city in spring 2021 as part of the Planned Development Permit, represents a comprehensive set of design guidelines and framework for future development. My contributions encompassed critical elements such as ground floor activation, facade treatments, and tower and massing articulation, which will serve as essential design tools for future project teams.

Next project

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse