The Arbor + Davidson Building

Designed by Studio Gang, Arbor takes its name from the structure it is conceived as – a framework that is light on the earth yet supporting a diverse ecosystem of healthy, inspiring habitats for creative work. The project is comprised of a 14-story mass timber workspace building and the adaptive reuse of the existing Davidson Building. The adjacent Davidson Building will be retrofitted at the same time to reduce material use in order to be as environmentally friendly as possible. These two buildings will be connected by a pedestrian bridge on the seventh story adding a green open space terrace on the roof of the Davidson building.

K+W’s stormwater treatment design incorporates flow-through planters and permeable paving, both LID treatment measures. K+W is also working with the mechanical engineer to provide the civil layout for a proposed recycled water system. This system will be shared with a neighboring development and is intended to reduce water use over the life span of the building. A crucial factor in the design process was K+W’s working relationship with the City of San Jose. With the assistance of Public Works engineers, K+W was able to successfully integrate the planned street designs into the overall project.

K+W worked with the city and development team to move the project through the planning phase. Once constructed, The Arbor will be a new defining feature along the city’s skyline. The open courtyard between the two buildings will maximize the green space and help this project achieve LEED Platinum Certification. Installation of terraced planters, promotion of green transportation through EV charging stations and bicycle parking, and the use of heavy timber make this building an example of the new sustainable means of constructing high-rises throughout the downtown San Jose setting.