CLIENTLevel 5

SERVICESInteriors

LOCATIONPalo Alto, CA

SIZE50,000 sq ft

STATUSCompleted 2019

This hybrid R&D and office facility for self-driving technology meets the requirements of its specialized labs while also providing a vibrant and welcoming space for employees and visitors, and creating a distinct identity. Previously a part of Lyft's R&D group, the company was acquired in July 2021 by Woven Planet, a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Visitors’ lounge
Visitors’ lounge

Light is a central design element throughout, frequently changing in color and intensity to affect different moods and create a sense of movement. This begins at the reception desk and flows into a light-filled tunnel to the visitors’ area, which features a sleek lounge centered within several meeting rooms. Horizontal bands of light set into the soffits denote the main circulation path that forms a loop around the lab spaces and back to reception.

Tunnel to visitors’ lounge
Tunnel to visitors’ lounge
Central avenue through labs
Central avenue through labs
Garage
Garage
View from protyping lab to garage across the central avenue
View from protyping lab to garage across the central avenue

The design of the garage and labs is precise and deliberate without being uptight or austere. When safety and pragmatic reasons dictated a light-colored floor, we saw this as an opportunity to energize the space with a bright and colorful ceiling set against dark gray walls. A window-lined central avenue offers views into the garage and labs so that visitors and employees alike can witness the ground-breaking work going on inside.

Garage
Garage
Work stations in garage
Work stations in garage
Interview rooms
Interview rooms

Inspired by how the autonomous vehicles’ mapping technology views the world, we used a dot motif and gradient colors to help define the elements of the spaces where people gather, from the chairs in the meeting rooms to the collab nooks in the open work areas.

In a nod to the automotive aesthetic, the main break area features light fixtures evocative of wheels and headlights, the carpet in the open work areas has a subtle linear pattern reflecting the movement of cars, and pink racing stripes delineate walkways and equipment placement within the garage.

Open work area
Open work area
Secret garden
Secret garden
Main break area
Main break area

"You can’t help but feel inspired to innovate as you enter our office. Thanks to the design of the space, our team feels right at home building the future of transportation."

Danielle Greene, Senior Manager, Planning & Construction

PHOTOGRAPHYKyle Jeffers