Mercer Mass Timber and Google are setting new standards for environmentally conscious design with the innovative Google Borregas office building.
As Google’s first all-wood office building, Google Borregas is a testament to what’s possible when architecture puts people and the planet first. The five-story, 2 million-square-foot office building in Mountain View, California, incorporates cutting-edge biophilic principles, advanced construction techniques and sustainable materials to create a workspace that’s as inspiring as it is innovative.
Connecting with nature
The choice of Douglas fir for this project was not just a question of strength, but also one of connection. The 3-, 7- and 9-layer cross-laminated timber panels, as well as the glulam beams, purlins and columns, created at our Mercer Okanagan mill, create a space that feels alive. The warm tones and organic textures of the visible wood bring nature indoors and promote the well-being of employees, while also supporting Google’s biophilic design ethos.
Sustainability at the core
With 5,100 m³ of solid timber, this office building is a shining example of regenerative design. It significantly reduces embodied energy while sequestering enough CO₂ to offset the annual emissions of more than 1,300 cars. Solid timber reduces embodied emissions by an impressive 96%, and FSC-certified sourcing guarantees ecological integrity. With LEED Platinum certification and solar-powered energy generation, Google Borregas sets a new benchmark for net-zero construction and supports Google’s goal of operating with zero carbon emissions 24 hours a day by 2030.
Building the future
Google Borregas is more than just an office building – it is a vision of what is possible when sustainability, biophilia and innovation come together. By choosing solid timber, incorporating nature-based design and prioritising carbon reduction, this project proves that architecture can inspire, heal and set the course for a greener future.
Innovative construction techniques
Outdoor highlights include expansive 4.2-metre cantilevered ceiling panels that provide sheltered outdoor seating and more natural light indoors. These cantilevers were made possible by a wood-concrete composite system that combines CLT panels with concrete beams and slabs, optimising spans and load-bearing capacities while minimising beam height.
A hybrid structural design ensures the building is earthquake-proof, with CLT floor slabs acting as a horizontal diaphragm and buckling-resistant steel frames integrated into the solid timber gravity system. The mix of materials in both solid timber and steel achieves a complementary aesthetic look. This approach also allows for visible steel frames without the need for additional fire protection.
Source: Mercer International