Sunnyvale, California's downtown is experiencing a renaissance. The city's urban core is nestled between the historic Murphy Avenue food and nightlife hotspot, the neighboring rail station, and Mathilda Avenue - a major axis running perpendicular to the rail line that is being re-envisioned as a high-profile, mixed-use district where people can live, play, work, and shop, all without leaving the neighborhood yet remaining conveniently linked to the rest of Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

Putting the Team Together
100 Altair serves as a gateway project for this district that connects to the promenade outside of the train station, transforming Altair Way from a sleepy byway into a prominent address. It was over six years ago that the Minkoff Group, a design-forward workplace developer, enlisted BRICK Architects, SWA Group, and a team of other designers and engineers to visualize a next-generation commercial workplace.

The outcome was a design that prioritizes user wellness in multiple ways: by bolstering connection to the natural environment, embracing sustainable building and operational practices, and encouraging accessibility and choice.

From sweeping, eighth-level terrace views of the surrounding cityscape and mountains to the ground level with its lush living walls, interior lobby, and native and adapted landscaping, everything aims to ground the user experience to this unique site.

At Ground Level
The building's design spills out through the lobby and into the streetscape adjoining Plaza Del Sol, the City's adjacent public open space flanked by caf?(C)s, a restaurant, and the entrance to Caltrain.

To encourage this free flow of pedestrian traffic and to integrate the arrival experience in the building's lobby entrance with the larger contextual public space and transportation framework, the exterior design, including the sidewalk across Altair Way, was carefully formulated to support this goal.

The roadway tables up to create a near flush condition with the sidewalks, easing the transition across the space. Sunnyvale's downtown standard alternating lit and unlit bollards were required to separate vehicular traffic from
pedestrian-only zones.

A monochromatic gradient of custom V-series pavers ranging from charcoal- and platinum-toned aggregates set in a cool ash to dove grey matrix run radiates out of the lobby with linear bars of contrasting tones that gain intensity and darkness.

Special truncated dome tactile paver tiles were employed to give a deliberately elegant and safe transition while bordering the city's downtown standard trench drain grate that moves the water conveyance out of pedestrian experience, below the surface. The striking-yet-natural-feeling red patina creates a clear visual definition for traffic, as the tactile domes lend equally as clear definition in the texture.

 
Metal planters, matching those on the terrace, also serve as bookends to the loading zone outside the building, each holding a specimen Cherry tree (Prunus serrulata 'Kwanzan') whose bright pink petals will herald in springtime and provide a vivid contrast to the dark planters and paving.

Pavers in a tan hue were added to give warmth to the balance of the site. Wood seating integrated with the planter closest to the lobby provides a spot for respite in nature.

Beyond the Cherry specimens and the bed of ferns and grasses in the understory, those sitting, walking, biking, or driving along Altair Way will view a series of vivid living walls designed by Habitat Horticulture marching along the columns of the facade that culminate in a full wall within the lobby interior, which will likely host a caf?(C).

In this carefully composed street scene and arrival experience, the paving is the common sauce that holds the ground plane together in its consistency of material, yet in its dynamic gradient and textures it also creates a sense of flow through the space.

Roof-top Terrace
At the top, almost the entire roof level is open space, aside from the elevator, stair core, and areas required for mechanical equipment. Dual-toned, large-scale, precast 48-inch-by-23-inch format pavers crafted combined with Thermory thermally modified wood decks lend a warm, welcoming, and luxurious feel to the terraces.

The mountainous terrain in the background is reflected in the design of the angular, geometric metal planters that serve to define the paved spaces. These custom planters designed in party by SWA Group are draped in a soft, mediterranean planting palette.
The angular landscape interpretation also inspired the sculptural shade structure feature. Comprised of hundreds of repeating slats with an almost mesmerizing effect in the way it casts shadows, this feature invites users out of the building and into an elevated amenity and view deck, bordered by pre-cast seating that seamlessly folds into the planters.

The unique atmosphere of the terrace was a collaborative idea between SWA Group, BRICK, and the owner.

Underneath the simple, aesthetic forms, the complexity of all these different materials at different angles and elevations coming together seamlessly across the approximately 220' x 65' open deck took rigorous mathematics and an intimate understanding of construction tolerances and sequencing.

Daniel Prostak, PLA, one of the Landscape Architects who worked on the project at SWA Group's San Francisco studio, breaks down the challenge, "The materials for this terrace design were crafted in separate workshops and, once they arrive up on the terrace, they have to fit like clockwork because there is limited ability to adjust these materials in the field ... even the planting, since it sits in planters that are fabricated and coated offsite. On-structure projects like this roof terrace can be less forgiving than their on-grade counterparts. Since every inch must be accounted for, you cannot invent additional space eight stories up in the air."

As is typical for many on-structure landscapes, each dimension for the design is figured based on a structure and waterproof building envelope that won't exist until the building tops out, years after the design process.

"We use 3D models to calculate and visualize these relationships, and we also work collaboratively across design and build teams to proactively understand where the potential for issues will arise, which helps us focus time and energy on the most critical items. We had excellent teams on this project," adds Prostak.

Ultimately, every piece came together. Due to the scale of the terrace, the design combines gently sloped walks and steps that connect all areas, forming an accessible and inviting series of spaces that can be programmed for collaborative activities and meetings as well as more peaceful nooks to meet the diverse and changing needs of the users.

The Big Finish
The proper balance of patterning, contrast, finish - and really every aesthetic and functional consideration down to the micro-chamfer and the jointing - was achieved through tight coordination between SWA Group, South Bay Construction, Techcon, and the manufacturer, as well as the civil and geotechnical engineers.

Detailed planning early in the process helped set the course for a successful outcome that the owner and its design and build teams can take pride in, along with the city and its downtown residents
and visitors.

Team List
Owner/Developer - Minkoff Group
Landscape Architect - SWA Group
Architect - HGA (formerly BRICK)
Civil Engineer - Kier+Wright
Geotech Engineer - Romig
Structural Engineer - SEI
General Contractor - South Bay Construction
Paver and Landscape Subcontractor - Techon
Lighting Designer - Darkhorse Lighting
Electrical Contractor - New Age Electrical
Waterproofing Consultant - ABBAE
Greenwall Consultant - Habitat Horticulture