San Jose, California, USA
American Prize for Architecture laureates Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates have designed Platform 16, a new 1,200,000-square-foot, three-building office campus in Downtown San Jose, California developed by Boston Properties Inc., TMG Partners, and Valley Oak Partners.
Located on a 5.4-acre site adjacent to Google’s planned eight million square foot transit village and Diridon Station, a major Bay Area transportation hub, Platform 16 strikes an ideal balance between its natural and urban environments to promote quality of work life in the city’s burgeoning technology hub.
“Our goal for Platform 16 is to create a responsive, generous, and healthy building that will stand the test of time thanks to its inherent flexibility,” said Trent Tesch, KPF Design Principal.
“We prioritized occupant wellness and comfort by creating significant outdoor space at each level of the buildings, carving away the form at key moments that also, along with a dynamic façade, create a visual variety along the street.”
The development comprises three separate office structures with expansive floorplates, 15-foot floor-to-floor heights, private terraces, and active pedestrian streets that, together, improve the neighborhood and prioritize the experiences of diverse occupants.
On the main façade, three module orientations—center, left, and right—create a sense of depth and texture by breaking down the scale and shimmering like sequins in the sun’s reflection.
Bronze in color, the terrace façade contrasts the main wall in materiality and scale, evoking an organic composition that also points to the project’s sustainability. Along the building’s eastern edge, these terraces are oriented away from the Western sun and set back to bring daylight deep within the interiors. Manicured green space, accessible on each level, promotes wellbeing and community gathering outside the traditional office setting.
With views to the city center and nearby Guadalupe River Park, 440 West Julian Street not only maintains visual connection to its surroundings but also provides immediate pedestrian access to the neighborhood and transit access the Bay Area at large.
Its location on Howard Street and Old West Julian Street increase connectivity through pedestrian and bicycle access for employees, visitors, and the public.
On its south street, San Pedro Square becomes a flexible and dynamic public realm with convenient access to the city’s financial center, the SAP Center arena, and Diridon Station.
This intermodal transportation hub services Caltrain, VTA Light-Rail, along with the planned BART and California High Speed Rail station.
“Our design for Platform 16 leverages San Jose’s warm, dry climate to create a cutting-edge and sustainable indoor/outdoor workplace and campus,” said Lloyd Sigal, KPF Managing Principal.
“The project’s large interior floorplates extend to generous outdoor terraces, introducing ample daylight through an innovative and environmentally designed facade system.”
“We are looking forward to expanding our presence in the South Bay,” said Bob Pester, Executive Vice President at Boston Properties.
“San Jose is at the heart of the region’s innovation and growth, and we are proud to support the needs of the business community and the exceptionally talented workforce that reside here.”
The first phase of construction on Platform 16 is expected to be completed in 2023.
Architects: Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates PC.
Clients: Boston Properties Inc., TMG Partners, and Valley Oak Partners
