Google’s First Timber Office: 96% Emissions Cut, All-Electric Power
Karmactive Team
Google's latest 182,500-square-foot mass timber office at Atari's former Sunnyvale site promises to cut carbon emissions by 96% compared to traditional construction methods.
How will 700-900 employees adapt to this sustainable workspace where Douglas fir from FSC-certified forests meets automated systems for light and temperature control?
The five-story structure's construction journey from late 2020 aims for LEED Platinum certification, with completion targeted for September 2024.
Rooftop solar panels and all-electric operations drive Google's ambitious 2030 net-zero emissions target, though exact power generation capacity remains undisclosed.
What makes this mass timber project, joining similar structures in Norway, Vancouver, London, Atlanta, and Minneapolis, stand out in commercial construction?
Pre-fitted components reduced construction waste and noise, while three acres of native California plants including coast live oak and wild rose surround the premises.
Michelle Kaufmann, Google's R&D director for Built Environment, points to research showing nature's positive impact on workplace focus and productivity.
Can mass timber's carbon sequestration capabilities truly transform commercial construction, as suggested by VP Scott Foster's emphasis on regenerative qualities?
The building's underfloor air system and collaborative zones merge with individual workspaces, raising questions about long-term maintenance requirements and workplace efficiency.