Reconnecting a tech campus to the natural environment with a dramatic landscape strategy.
Nestled between mature trees in the hills of Palo Alto, this once inward-looking tech campus is becoming more open and accessible thanks to a dramatic architectural renovation and a completely reimagined landscape strategy. Groundworks Office and Form 4 Architects collaborated on a plan that ties the buildings together and weaves them into the stunning surrounding environment to strengthen the native ecosystem.
Our plan is driven by a new sinuous pathway connecting the "upper campus" buildings at the top of the hilly site and the "lower campus" buildings below. Replacing steep and narrow concrete stairs, the elevated, sloping outdoor circulation improves physical accessibility, creates new opportunities for building use, and lets visitors meander through the treetops.
At key moments, the paths open up to create small gathering places or outlooks for informal meetings, lunch breaks, or just enjoying the view. Throughout the campus, beneficial meadows of native grasses and flowers replace overly manicured and underused grass lawns, saving the client time and resources on maintenance while creating a more scenic vista. Our design for the Hillview campus embraces the simplicity of the sensitive habitat while introducing a circulation that captures its spirit.