Cuningham Group Architecture has revealed design details for Hotel Nia, the 250-room hotel under construction at 200 Independence Street, in Menlo Park, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Hotel Nia offers an iconic, 11-story glass tower that shines over a courtyard and series of indoor/outdoor spaces at all levels.
The hotel and its restaurant are key components of Silicon Valley’s landmark Menlo Gateway project, which will include three office buildings and accompanying parking structures. “The design is inspired by Silicon Valley in both its naturalistic and technological dimensions,” said Cuningham Group Principal Jack Highwart, AIA, LEED AP.
“On the naturalistic side, we angled the building toward the south to optimize energy efficiency and allow extensive daylighting. We also pulled it back from the 101 freeway, giving us distance from the noise and allowing us to create a courtyard which brings nature into the building. Natural materials were used in the courtyard and entry, including stone and wood, which are warm, tan and earthy.” goes on Jack Highwart.
From these warm tones on the ground plane, materials transition upward into the “tech-based” materials of Hotel Nia’s beacon-like tower: cool, gray steel and glass. Hotel Nia is developed by Ensemble Real Estate Investments and AECOM Capital, the investment fund of AECOM. It is scheduled for completion in January, 2018. Source and images, Courtesy of Cuningham Group Architecture.