CITYLINE
Sunnyvale, CA
MIXED USE MASTERPLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
*Project with Gensler as Design Director and Project Lead
The project encompasses a major portion of downtown Sunnyvale, a district whose evolution mirrors distinct periods of California urbanism - from agricultural origins through small-town development with a main street and pedestrian-scaled street grid.
The site's more recent past reflects broader patterns of American urban development, namely a mall that landed in the downtown in the 1970s. Remarkably the project preserved memorial Redwoods planted after WWII within its structure. Maybe unremarkably it struggled to maintain viability and was eventually planned to be redeveloped until those plans were halted mid-construction by the 2008 financial crisis, leaving this crucial downtown area fallow for over a decade.
A new lease on life for the downtown began with the client group’s acquisition of a major portion of the downtown. From there our team was engaged to develop a master plan that emphasized connectivity and density appropriate to the site's transit-rich location, while carefully weaving together historical elements with contemporary needs. Central to this vision is Redwood Square, a new public space that celebrates the memorial Redwoods, surrounded by active retail uses and community gathering spaces. The plan restores the original street grid and establishes a pedestrian loop that connects the Caltrain station to Murphy Street, creating a variety of urban experiences along the way.
3 BLOCKS
Once the master plan was finalized our team was further engaged to design three mixed-use blocks that balanced innovation with contextual sensitivity.
Block 1 // Permitted, pending construction
Serves as a gateway along Mathilda integrating moments for art, gathering and work.
Block 3 // Nearing final completion
Integrates into the pedestrian network along Frances Street, featuring nearly 30,000 square feet of terraces that cascade down the building's form. These outdoor spaces respond to evolving workplace preferences, offering protected areas for work and gathering that capitalize on the local climate.
Block 6 // Concept design complete
Introduces mass timber construction, reinforcing the project's emphasis on sustainability and material authenticity.
BLOCK 3 // NEARING COMPLETION
BLOCK 3
BLOCK 3 // VIEW OF PEDESTRIAN PRIORITY WAY AT FRANCES ST.
MATERIALITY
The material palette of Block 3 reflects a commitment to durability and timelessness: tactile terra cotta brings warmth and texture, strategically placed high-performance glass minimizes reflectivity and solar gain, while precast concrete grounds the buildings at the pedestrian level. The planting on the terraces are also thought of and designed as part of the building’s material language, pulling the landscape up onto the building, softening it, and further integrating it into its context.
BLOCK 6
Mass Timber Commercial building
Coming Soon