Google’s new campus officially opened, 100% “pure electric”
Silicon Valley, California, USA, is a famous gathering place for technology companies, and many companies are headquartered here, including Google. Not long ago, Google's "tent park" Bay View, which had been planned for many years, finally officially opened.
Nearly a decade after initial plans were announced in 2013 and construction began in 2017, Bay View and Charleston East are new additions to Google's headquarters, and they are the first campuses the company has designed and built.
▲ Picture 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 employee health and the environment, biophilic design principles were incorporated, considering factors such as greenery, natural lighting, outdoor views for each table, and more.
▲ Picture from: Google
Windows, for example, will modulate direct light onto desks with automatic blinds that open and close throughout the day. Plants can be seen everywhere in the park. Different areas are separated by courtyards, and the indoor office areas that focus on openness and freedom are also "surrounded" by plants. The ventilation system also uses 100% outside air.
Not only is it a community with a strong natural atmosphere, it is also a sustainable park that is "all-electric". The two kitchens serving the seven cafes are also equipped with electrical appliances instead of gas, a template for completely carbon-free cafes and kitchens.
▲ Picture from: Google
The campus, which totals about 1.1 million square feet (about 102,193 square meters), has two main buildings that appear to undulate at the top, unlike common designs. In fact, this is the first "Dragon Scale Solar Skin" created by Bay View.
▲ Picture from: Google
That's right, this scaly roof is used to produce solar energy, and it's made up of 90,000 silver solar panels. The panels, combined with the pavilion-like roofline, capture the sun's energy from multiple angles.
When up and running, Bay View and Charleston East will generate approximately 7 megawatts of energy, which is approximately 40 percent of energy needs from renewable sources.
▲ Picture from: Google
In keeping with Google's commitment to operating on carbon-free energy every day by 2030, and designed with renewable energy in mind, Bay View's "Dragon Scale Solar" maximizes the building's solar potential. Together with the nearby wind farm, the park is powered by carbon-free energy 90% of the time.
In addition to being completely 100% electric, Bay View also has the largest geothermal pile system in North America. An integrated geothermal pile system regulates heating and cooling. Huge geological exchange fields are integrated into the structural system, reducing the amount of water normally used for cooling by 90 percent, which is equivalent to 5 million gallons per year.
▲ Picture from: Google
Reservoirs in the park not only collect water for reuse, but also provide natural restoration, sea level rise protection and natural wetland beauty. New willow forests along the storm pools provide resources for wildlife.
▲ Picture from: Google
Bay View, near the San Francisco Bay, has 17.3 acres of high-value natural areas, including moist meadows, woodlands and marshes, with the hope of restoring native landscapes and restoring Bay Area wetlands.
▲ Picture from: Google
The design of both projects began with a deep dive into Google's powerful force: people. Designing from here, the priority is naturally the experience of people in the building rather than the external form.
▲ Picture from: Google
The buildings on the campus are among the largest in the world to pursue LEED-NC v4 Platinum and one of the largest to pursue the International Living Futures Institute (ILFI) Living Building Challenge (LBC) Petal certification. But more important are those who connect with nature in the "sustainable" Bay View and Charleston East campuses.
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