Located in the Moffett Boulevard Change Area, an area designated by Mountain View, CA for urban growth, this project will serve as both an anchor and a catalyst for the evolving district. The building responds to the existing residential character of the neighborhood while advancing the goal of creating a pedestrian-oriented corridor along Moffett Boulevard. With 175 new homes within walking distance of Caltrain, the project supports transit-oriented development and strengthens the walkable character of the neighborhood.

The project is arranged with a distinct base, middle and top. At the ground level, a forecourt in front of the commercial portion of the building creates an indoor–outdoor zone where activity can spill out into shared gathering areas. An adjacent, deeper public courtyard buffers the residential entry from the sidewalk, offering a more private setting where residents can socialize. Both entrances have generous glazing surrounded with finely detailed warm natural materials. Ground story units with landscaped terraces wrap two sides of the site to meet the surrounding residential neighborhood.

At the upper levels, the building is organized into two volumes that flank a podium-level central courtyard. An amenity pavilion sits on the podium, overlooking the public realm on one side and opening onto a private courtyard with a pool and gardens on the other, creating a more retreat-like setting. The upper portions of the façades are articulated with vertical bays clad with textured materials that introduce modulation, relief, and visual interest. The roofline is capped with alternating modulated gable forms that nod to the nearby houses and break down the overall scale of the building.

The program, organization, proportions, forms and materials all come together and enable the project to fit well within in its context, advancing the goals of the evolving district while providing much needed housing.