Silicon Valley’s mass timber ‘Verdant Sanctuary’ goals to dwell as much as its title

A new solid wood office building in Silicon Valley called Verdant Sanctuary was recently approved for construction. Located in Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, California, it aims to embrace nature through every element of its design.

The two-story, 4,830 m² (52,000 sf) building was designed by Form4 Architecture – a San Francisco-based firm with experience designing for the Bay Area tech space – and is recognized as one of the first of its size in Silicon Valley for a sustainable mass- Timber construction must be designed and approved. It embraces nature through its surroundings, its almost all wood and glass construction and its dramatic roof design reflecting the shape of a bird’s wings.

“We call the building Verdant Sanctuary because it harmonises with the surrounding buildings and adds an inspiring, sustainable project to the community,” says Architect John Marx, AIA, Artistic Director of Form4 Architecture.

The new building continues a legacy of advances and will be adjacent to 607 Hansen Way, Stanford Research Park’s first building. Designed by German Expressionist architect Eric Mendelsohn in 1953, 607 Hansen Way was originally the home of radar and microwave innovators Varian Associates. Verdant Sanctuary was designed to create a quiet, synergistic harmony with the current community that is sensitive to the size, design and materials of neighboring structures.

Designed to be pedestrian friendly, the project features one level of underground parking and a mature street tree landscape. The building is fully electric, with photovoltaic (PV) panels for sustainable energy generation and a green roof for water conservation and natural insulation. A roof garden and patio will enhance the park-like setting, and the heavy incorporation of solid wood into the building will reduce carbon emissions during construction and safeguard against potential building fires, as solid wood is fire resistant.

The design recently received an honorable mention at the International Architecture Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.

In addition to Form4, the Verdant Sanctuary project team includes Guzzardo Partnership (landscape architect), Luminae Souter (lighting design), DCI Engineers (structural engineer) and ME Engineers (mechanical, electrical and plumbing). [MEP] Engineer). The project anticipates groundbreaking in 2024 once an anchor tenant has been identified.