Facing a quickly growing student population, Stratford Middle School in Pleasanton was in dire need of a fast expansion. Over the course of one summer break, and with no disruption to students or the academic year, the school doubled in size with the addition of an 8,064 sf TimberQuestTM classroom building. The building boasts a teacher’s lounge, small work areas, a science lab, and several large classrooms and most importantly, the students and staff will benefit from TimberQuestTM’s innate biophilic elements like exposed wood grains and large floor to ceiling windows to allow in an abundance of sunlight.
Prospect High School was Aedis’ first K-12 Mass Timber project. The school was transformed with the addition of two, single story buildings and approximately 1.5 acres of site work that
seamlessly connects with the existing campus and adds approximately 20,000 SF of indoor and outdoor learning areas.
The importance of nature and biophilia for student health and wellness was a major focus for this project and the designs truly reflect that commitment. A strong indoor-outdoor connection was woven into the design, and Cross Laminated Timber, a natural, renewable, sustainable, and low carbon footprint material, was used for the roof structure. It creates a warm, pleasant and biophilic space that promotes an increase in student performance as well as boosts the energy level and overall well-being of the occupants.
The Apollo project is the development of a 406-unit, mixed-use tower to serve as the western entrance of San Jose’s vibrant downtown. Currently in the design phase, this project is undergoing programming and entitlement. Located adjacent to Google’s Downtown West project, the Apollo building is going to be a 16-story tower at 32 Stockton Avenue in San Jose. It incorporates eco friendly cross-laminated timber and at ground level, the project’s pedestrian pathways will entice with approximately 6,500 square feet of commercial retail.
Recognizing the need for faster, more cost-effective, high quality and environmentally friendly educational facilities, Aedis teamed up with XL Construction, a reputable Bay Area builder to pre-engineered products for a variety of classroom applications using Mass Timber. We researched the potential and constraints of Cross-laminated Timber (CLT), one of the most versatile Mass Timber material. Working closely with the builder’s team, our designers created an efficient way to use and assemble CLT panels to address educators’ needs for flexible, high-performing and biophilic learning environments connected to the outdoors. Through a relentless attention to detail, working working with this burgeoning construction material and in capitalizing on XL’s extensive experience with Mass Timber technology, Sacred Heart’s kindergarteners benefit from Timberquest’s fast and affordable beauty. We also worked with DSA and other jurisdictional authorities to acquire permit approval in 2022.
As the first ‘Tall Timber’ project in the Bay Area designed under the 2022 California Building Code that allows taller structures using Cross-laminated Timber (CLT), Madera Apartments breaks many new grounds in mid-rise housing construction. The project consists of 8 stories, with seven stories of CLT (Type IV-C) over 1 story of concrete construction (Type I-A). To avoid expensive under or above ground parking and the loss of real estate due to vehicular ramps, semi-automatic parking puzzle lifts are provided. To activate the building for passers-by, the design places a co-working space along with the residential lobby with storefront windows facing the important West San Carlos Street corridor. Apartments are designed for a shared living arrangement, with a bedroom-bathroom parity to maximize leasing viability. Some units have exterior balconies facing the streets or the interior courtyard. A city view deck is provided on the top floor, with view of Downtown San Jose and the foothills beyond. Wood is present throughout to celebrate the innovative use of timber in the project, such as the exposed surface of CLT panels as ceiling finish in the apartment units.