The David and Lucile Packard Foundation Headquarters

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation’s new offices were designed to serve as a catalyst for the Foundation’s broader sustainability initiatives by achieving net zero energy use. Patrick Siegman directed the project’s parking and transportation demand management components while a Principal at Nelson\Nygaard, as part of a team led by EHDD Architects.

The Foundation’s greenhouse-gas footprint analysis identified transportation emissions as the biggest sector, with commuting by car the single biggest emissions source. While the local zoning code required 160 parking spaces, our analysis revealed demand would be much lower: just 67 spaces. To reduce demand further over time, our team developed and implemented a transportation demand management plan.

The acceptance of our analysis and plan by the City of Los Altos allowed the elimination of a planned $8 million underground garage from the project. Eliminating the garage reduced project-embodied carbon emissions by one-quarter. It also produced the financial savings required to help fund extensive benefits for employees who choose to walk, bicycle, carpool, or take transit to work. The employee commute benefit package includes an on-site carshare pod (the city’s first), a package of incentives for employees who choose not to drive, secure bicycle parking and showers, and a “last mile” shuttle from the Foundation to the nearest rail station. The shuttle also serves other employers along its path, improving connectivity and transit options for the greater community.

The project was unanimously approved by the City Council in 2010. The traffic reduction plan, which we helped the Foundation implement, has reduced employee drive-alone rates by more than 10 percentage points. The building itself now consumes zero net energy, has been certified LEED Platinum and Net-Zero Energy, has received a host of honors and awards, and is helping the Foundation lead the world by example.