Google 1265 Borregas is a five-story, 182,500-square-foot office building that redefines sustainable design. As Google’s first ground-up mass timber development, it sets a new benchmark for environmentally conscious architecture. The building blends cutting-edge biophilic principles, advanced structural and construction techniques, and sustainable materials to deliver a workspace that’s as inspiring as it is innovative.
Certified LEED Platinum, the building uses mass timber to slash carbon emissions while creating a warm, welcoming environment. Its design features soaring single- and double-height spaces, all tied together by a stunning four-story atrium. Natural light streams through a glulam skylight, connecting people visually and physically across the space. The project incorporates Douglas Fir 3-, 7-, and 9-ply panels (3,100 m³) and glulam girders, purlins, and columns (2,000 m³), showcasing the versatility and beauty of mass timber.
Exterior highlights include expansive 14-foot cantilevered floor plates, offering sheltered outdoor seating and increased natural light indoors. These cantilevers were made possible by a wood-concrete composite system that connects CLT panels with concrete beams and slabs, optimizing span and load capacities while minimizing beam depth.
A hybrid structural design ensures the building’s seismic resilience, with CLT floor panels serving as a horizontal diaphragm and buckling-restrained steel braced frames integrated into the mass timber gravity system. By blending the mix of materials in both mass timber and steel provided a complementary aesthetic look. Also, this approach allows for exposed steel frames without additional fireproofing.
Throughout the design, biophilic elements take center stage. Natural materials, abundant daylight, and organic textures are more than aesthetic choices—they’re intentional features aimed at boosting wellness and fostering collaboration, aligning perfectly with Google’s innovative culture. By embracing mass timber, 1265 Borregas isn’t just reducing its carbon footprint—it’s setting a new standard for what’s possible in modern construction.
As part of Google’s larger commitment to carbon-free operations by 2030, this project is a powerful example of how thoughtful design can scale sustainable solutions while keeping people at the heart of the process.
