Hassell, in collaboration with West 8, have designed an ambitious master plan for North Bayshore in Mountain View, California which aims to reinvent a suburban office park into a dynamic mixed-use community for tech company Google.
With a prioritisation on sustainability and affordable housing the transformative master plan for North Bayshore spans 153 acres and promises to double the amount of affordable housing in the area while expanding on the district’s existing resources from its local businesses and cultural institutions to wildlife and native landscapes, connections to established neighbourhoods, and walking and cycling trails.
With master planning and urban design by Hassell and parks and open space design by West 8, the plan includes workplaces, retail and community facilities alongside a vibrant 525 room hotel, creating a bustling neighbourhood that thrives around the clock.
Hassell Principal Richard Mullane said the plan incorporates strategies for carbon sequestration, flood risk management and the use of green infrastructure.
“Our concept doesn’t just focus on buildings; it envisions a place where people and nature coexist harmoniously — addressing climate resilience and challenging the ways in which we design communities through sustainable means,” said Richard.
West 8 shared that the master plan enables high-performing urban landscapes that are future-proof, resilient, and low-carbon. “We’ve established an extended Green Loop network which supports biodiversity within this high-density urban context — it’s paramount to creating an ecologically beneficial landscape design.”
Over 26 acres of public parks and open spaces feature pedestrian and bicycle-friendly pathways. These spaces will provide areas for relaxation, art, events, and play, encouraging community engagement and a healthy lifestyle.
The North Bayshore master plan is grounded in Google’s longstanding commitment to building sustainability into everything it does. Highlights include 24/7 carbon-free energy, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations in all buildings. Our master plan also aims to use building methods that enable cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction – a sustainable choice of building material due to its renewable nature and excellent thermal insulation properties.
The project’s ecological vision extends to the expansion of an area for an egret rookery and the incorporation of bird-safe design in all new constructions. Additionally, traffic reduction measures such as bike share programs, extensive walking and cycling trails, and small blocks for easy navigation are key components of this forward-thinking development of the future.
North Bayshore Masterplan
Designers: Hassell and West 8
Images Credit: Hassell and West 8