San Jose’s Environmental Services Department commissioned Group 4 to design the adaptive reuse of a historic 46,000 square foot warehouse building and site for new uses supporting the City’s Green Vision. The warehouse building features two major tenant spaces intended to house a salvage/recycled construction materials business, as well as a cooperative “Clean Technology Development Center” focused on research and development of alternative fuels for transportation. Also located in the warehouse are a large training/conference room, office/incubator space for environmental businesses, and support spaces.

The project design phase was highly collaborative, with participation from multiple City departments including ESD, Public Works, and the Office of Cultural Affairs. Group 4 convened these departments, business community representatives, and other stakeholders for a two-day intensive visioning workshop.

The project’s energy and water use design, on-site renewable energy, construction waste diversion, and site features such as stormwater retention, permeable paving, and native plantings, have contributed to EIC targeting LEED-Platinum certification.