Mogavero Architects

Almaden Solar Project

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The Almaden Campus Solar Port project was designed to demonstrate sustainable, cutting edge technology for the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

The sustainable aspects of the project were enhanced by an existing engineered bioswale that informed the design.

The double beams, braced components and masonry bases draw from the same architectural language as the existing Craftsman inspired headquarters building.

These elements provide a base for a gentle curved canopy of overhead photo voltaic panels that produce 105KW of solar power. The curve of the canopy was designed to reveal the blue surface of the photo voltaics to pedestrians and motorists.

The sustainable aspects of the project were enhanced by an existing engineered bioswale that informed the design. A 6′ gap bisects the canopy allowing sunlight to reach the bioswale below. Additionally, the canopy modules are individually spaced; thereby transmitting a filtered light that helps lighten its underside.