Press Kit | no. 6576-01
Press release only in English
Hayes Group Architects Recognized for Modern Downtown Building
Hayes Group Architects
The City of Palo Alto selects mixed use development from a list of more than 100 projects for its quinquennial design awards
Hayes Group Architects received a coveted Award for Architectural Excellence for 611 Cowper Street, a project commissioned by the real estate development and investment company R&M Properties.
The City of Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB) selected 611 Cowper Street from more than 100 constructed projects that it recommends for approval, and which were completed between 2015-2020. The design awards are given out once every five years, and Hayes Group Architects’ project was one of only six selected.
"Palo Alto’s entitlement process is rigorous; the design community is held to the highest standards," notes Hayes Group Architects founder, Ken Hayes, AIA. "Being recognized by the ARB, knowing how many projects they review in a five-year period, makes the award that much more special."
Designed and completed in 2016 to CalGreen Tier 2 and LEED Silver standards, which comply with Palo Alto's Green Building Ordinance, 611 Cowper is a 35,000 square foot, four-story structure that includes a two-story, below grade garage with car stackers, and three floors of commercial space topped by a full-floor residence. The project is particularly resonant for Hayes. "The building is located mid-block, next door to a 12-story residential complex, and down the street, red-tiled-roof Spanish colonial buildings,” he explains. The project’s design is therefore “contextually responsive” in form, color, and materiality in its use of glass, concrete, metal, and terra cotta.
For R&M Properties co-founder, Stephen Reller, the design award is "very rewarding". The company bought the property in 2012 with a vision for a mixed-use development— its second and largest project at the time. "This was a big risk, big reward project. As a local, I now see it regularly, so I am proud of it. It's a building that's been thoughtfully designed, and I am happy for Hayes Group Architects to be recognized."
For Hayes, whose firm has entitled, designed, and built more than 200 commercial projects in Palo Alto and in neighboring Menlo Park, downtowns are for live, work, and play. He hopes that other cities will rise to the challenge of supporting all three. As he puts it, "We could be looking at more mixed-use projects with housing and commercial intertwined, a new, post-pandemic work from home model. Vibrant, mixed-use buildings in our downtowns are essential for their continued success."
About Hayes Group Architects
Hayes Group Architects believe design is an iterative process, ensuring that the solutions they create will accurately reflect their clients' core values, goals, and missions. The firm's architectural style is circumstantial, not predetermined, and responds to the nature of the site, the social and physical context, and to the client's lifestyle, work style, and aesthetic disposition. @hayesgrouparchitects
For more information
Media contact
- Lisa Boquiren
- Lisa Boquiren
- press@thehayesgroup.com
- 650-365-0600
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Southeast view from Forrest Avenue: At 611 Cowper, the top-floor flat floats over roof gardens and three levels of commercial space. Below, terra cotta cladding and sunscreens recall clay tile roofs found throughout Palo Alto.
High-resolution image : 13.33 x 9.27 @ 300dpi ~ 8.6 MB
High-resolution image : 9.27 x 12.98 @ 300dpi ~ 7.8 MB
High-resolution image : 12.98 x 9.27 @ 300dpi ~ 6.8 MB
Southbound view of streetscape: Drought-tolerant external plantings reduce the site’s overall water use and provide an appealing passage for pedestrians, train commuters and cyclists.
High-resolution image : 9.52 x 13.33 @ 300dpi ~ 11 MB
Northbound view of streetscape: The building’s terra cotta sunshade and deep, colonnaded ground floor mitigates heat and glare inside and is a nod to the palette and form of nearby Spanish colonial buildings.
High-resolution image : 8.9 x 13.33 @ 300dpi ~ 8.2 MB
Colonnade: The three-floor commercial space is comfortable and energy-efficient through an engaging mix of sun louvers, deep-set windows, and external plantings for shade.
High-resolution image : 13.33 x 8.9 @ 300dpi ~ 9.2 MB
Sunshade detail: The distinctive ground floor façade references the surrounding architectural and context and makes innovative use of green building technologies to achieve thermal comfort and meet design goals.
High-resolution image : 8.9 x 13.33 @ 300dpi ~ 6 MB
Roof terrace: Ample rooftop areas for residents to experience the outdoors are balanced with a cool roof to reflect building heat.
High-resolution image : 13.33 x 8.9 @ 300dpi ~ 6.3 MB
Detail view of terrace: The top-floor residence is wrapped in metal panels to convey lightness and to relate to the forms of the Marc building next door.
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Northeast view: 611 Cowper’s site orientation, glass selection and shading design enable daylight in 100% of occupied spaces.
High-resolution image : 11.57 x 13.33 @ 300dpi ~ 5.6 MB
View from the top: A strong visual connection to City Hall and downtown Palo Alto is achieved through a thoughtful mix of roof space and generous windows oriented and shaded to minimize heat and glare.
High-resolution image : 12.89 x 13.33 @ 300dpi ~ 7.8 MB
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