Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

A Net-Zero Building in Silicon Valley Gracefully Encompasses Both Work and Play

A Net-Zero Building in Silicon Valley Gracefully Encompasses Both Work and Play

636 Waverley’s “ribbon” of concrete defines bright, pleasant spaces while providing weather protection.

Hayes Group Architects sought to reimagine mixed-use architecture in Palo Alto with this innovative project. It’s situated in a "transitional and eclectic" neighborhood close to downtown, as president Ken Hayes notes, on a cramped and narrow site that didn’t allow for any setbacks.



The living spaces of 636 Waverley by Hayes Group Architects feature outdoor terraces wrapped in glass.

"Our work is about how modern forms, materials, and programs are integrated into urban infill environments," Hayes says. "We want people to have the most favorable living and working experiences, so we included an abundance of solar-protected lighting solutions."



A review view of the structure reveals its monolithic form in concrete.

The team aimed to integrate commercial and residential components into the rather compact site while using just three main materials-glass, wood, and concrete-and making the entire building as sustainable as possible. The result is a clean-lined, minimalist structure with commercial spaces on the first and second floors and apartment units on the third and fourth floors.



Inside, open living spaces flow outdoors onto private decks.

"These pleasant, livable spaces capture the feeling of a dynamic commercial district, while still feeling human in scale," says Kevin Kudo-King of Olson Kundig, who was part of the judging panel for the Andersen Bright Ideas Design Awards that recently honored the project.

"These pleasant, livable spaces capture the feeling of a dynamic commercial district, while still feeling human in scale," says Kevin Kudo-King of Olson Kundig, who was part of the judging panel for the Andersen Bright Ideas Design Awards that recently honored the project.



Retractable glass walls extend the shared living spaces to the outdoors.

All of the project’s details contribute to its net-zero status-from its daylit, breezy interiors that open onto shaded terraces, to its durable, fire-resistant, and low-maintenance concrete shell and its 27-kilowatt rooftop solar array, which takes care of all of the building’s electrical needs. From the street, the building’s staircase and commercial spaces are the most visible, while the terraces shield the more private living/dining/kitchen areas in each apartment.



An aerial view of the building shows the rooftop's photovoltaic array.

"This building’s use of concrete as both a frame and structure allows for large expanses of glass that express its minimal aesthetic well," says fellow design award judge Ravi Raj of RARARA architecture. Architect and award judge EB Min of Min Design says "I like the restrained material palette, and it is great to see the abundant natural light, especially for an infill project." Award judge Brandon Berg of Andersen Doors & Windows adds: "There's great balance in this structure."

But the most impressive component may just be its ribbon of zigzagging concrete, which not only adds visual interest and weather protection, but also separates the building’s solar programming. "This ribbon creates bright spaces, efficient sun shading, and strong weather protection, all while using a reduced structural depth to work within the city height limits," says Hayes.



Lit up at night, the building’s spaces glow, showcasing intricate geometries.

"It’s wonderful how they were able to create this light and airy set of living spaces on a tight site," design award judge Lisa Iwamoto of IwamotoScott architecture says. "The use of just a few materials adds to its sleekness and overall transparency."

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Altman Says GPT-5 Already Outpaces Him, Warns AI Could Automate 40% of Work
Russian Research Vessel 'Yantar' Tracked Mapping Europe’s Subsea Cables, Raising Security Alarms
Global Cruise Industry Posts Dramatic Comeback with 34.6 Million Passengers in 2024
U.S. Demands Brussels Scrutinize Digital Rules to Prevent Bias Against American Tech
Private Equity’s Fundraising Surge Triggers Concern of European Market Shake-Out
Tokyo’s Jimbōchō Named World’s Coolest Neighbourhood for 2025
European Officials Fear Trump May Shift Blame for Ukraine War onto EU
The Personality Rights Challenge in India’s AI Era
Italy Considers Freezing Retirement Age at 67 to Avert Scheduled Hike
Italian City to Impose Tax on Visiting Dogs Starting in 2026
Study Finds No Safe Level of Alcohol for Dementia Risk
Trump Says Ukraine Can Fully Restore Borders with NATO Backing
Europe Signals Stronger Support for Taiwan at Major Taipei Defence Show
Germany Weighs Excluding France from Key European Fighter Jet Programme
Cyberattack Disrupts Check-in and Boarding Systems at Major European Airports
Björn Borg Breaks Silence: Memoir Reveals Addiction, Shame and Cancer Battle
When Extremism Hijacks Idealism: How the Baader-Meinhof Gang Emerged and Fell
JWST Data Brings TRAPPIST-1e Closer to Earth-Like Habitability
Trump Orders $100,000 Fee on H-1B Visas and Launches ‘Gold Card’ Immigration Pathway
France’s Looming Budget Crisis and Political Fracture Raise Fears of Becoming Europe’s “Sick Man”
Three Russian MiG-31 Jets Breach Estonian Airspace in ‘Unprecedentedly Brazen’ NATO Incident
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
×