Google Gradient Canopy, the Google campus designed by Heatherwick Studio and BIG, is officially LEED-NC v4 Platinum certified, making it one of the largest work buildings in the world to receive the globally recognised accolade.

Situated in Mountain View, California, the building includes workspace, 18 acres of landscaping and 10,000 sq ft of open public space.

As seen on its sister site, Google Bay View, Gradient Canopy features dragon scale solar canopy with integrated photovoltaic panels, generating 40% of the buildings’ annual energy needs.

The project emphasises a commitment to creating the healthiest human-centric spaces possible. It has received Living Building Challenge (LBC) Materials Petal Certification, and using the LBC Red List as a framework, thousands of materials on the project went through a rigorous sourcing and review process. To promote a circular economy, the design incorporates salvaged materials and 99% FSC-certified timber.

According to a Google report on the project: “Circular design goals help the building give back to its environment and community over its lifespan. The site design and native landscaping help re-establish historical ecosystem elements that provide critical support for wildlife and build resilience in the landscape.”

Eliot Postma, a Group Leader and Partner at Heatherwick Studio, said: “Our design shows that even on the scale of a global HQ we can and should build with the health of the employee, the manufacturer and the planet in mind.”