Platform 16, a 1,200,000-sf, three-building office campus, has recently broken ground in Downtown San Jose. The Kohn Pedersen Fox-designed project will be located on a 5.4-acre site adjacent to Google's planned transit village and Diridon Station, a major Bay Area transportation hub.
Platform 16 will include a main facade with three module orientations (center, left, and right) to create a sense of depth and texture by breaking down the building's scale and creating a shimmering effect in the sun's reflection. The low, horizontal mass recedes from the street as it steps up to create large terraces at every level. These terraces will provide significant outdoor space for tenants, while also bringing daylight deep into Platform 16's interiors. The bronze terrace facade will contrast with the main wall in materiality and scale.
Courtesy Plompmozes for KPF.
The project's combination of a high-performance facade, passive cooling systems, high efficiency lighting systems, and a solar PV roof covering 20% of the building have the building projected to outperform the AIA 2030 Commitment goal of 80% reduction against its baseline.
See Also: A resort with a giant artificial wave basin is being planned for southern California
Platform 16 will also provide immediate pedestrian access to the neighborhood and transit access to the Bay Area at large. On its south side, San Pedro Square will become a flexible public realm with access to the city's financial center, the SAP Center, and Diridon Station.
Courtesy Plompmozes for KPF.
Other project features include various active pedestrian plazas, expansive floorplates, and 15-foot floor-to-floor heights.
The first phase of construction is slated for completion in 2023.
Courtesy KPF.
Courtesy Byencore for KPF.
Courtesy Byencore for KPF.
Courtesy Byencore for KPF.
Courtesy Byencore for KPF.
Courtesy Byencore for KPF.
Courtesy Plompmozes for KPF.
Related Stories
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
New tool from Perkins&Will will make public health data more accessible to designers and architects
Called PRECEDE, the dashboard is an open-source tool developed by Perkins&Will that draws on federal data to identify and assess community health priorities within the U.S. by location. The firm was recently awarded a $30,000 ASID Foundation Grant to enhance the tool.
Architects | Apr 6, 2023
Design for belonging: An introduction to inclusive design
The foundation of modern, formalized inclusive design can be traced back to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The movement has developed beyond the simple rules outlined by ADA regulations resulting in features like mothers’ rooms, prayer rooms, and inclusive restrooms.
Sustainability | Apr 4, 2023
NIBS report: Decarbonizing the U.S. building sector will require massive, coordinated effort
Decarbonizing the building sector will require a massive, strategic, and coordinated effort by the public and private sectors, according to a report by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).
Legislation | Mar 24, 2023
New York lawmakers set sights on unsafe lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters
Lawmakers in New York City and statewide have moved to quell the growing number of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters.
Government Buildings | Mar 24, 2023
19 federal buildings named GSA Design Awards winners
After a six-year hiatus, the U.S. General Services Administration late last year resumed its esteemed GSA Design Awards program. In all, 19 federal building projects nationwide were honored with 2022 GSA Design Awards, eight with Honor Awards and 11 with Citations.
Mass Timber | Mar 19, 2023
A 100% mass timber construction project is under way in North Carolina
An office building 100% made from mass timber has started construction within the Live Oak Bank campus in Wilmington, N.C. The 67,000-sf structure, a joint building venture between the GCs Swinerton and Wilmington-headquartered Monteith Construction, is scheduled for completion in early 2024.
Urban Planning | Mar 16, 2023
Three interconnected solutions for 'saving' urban centers
Gensler Co-CEO Andy Cohen explores how the global pandemic affected city life, and gives three solutions for revitalizing these urban centers.
Sponsored | Cladding and Facade Systems | Mar 15, 2023
Metal cladding trends and innovations
Metal cladding is on a growth trajectory globally. This is reflected in rising demand for rainscreen cladding and architectural metal coatings. This course covers the latest trends and innovations in the metal cladding market.
