Silicon Valley University (SVU) is an accredited private, non-profit higher education institute located in San Jose, California. The university offers Bachelor and advanced degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Business Administration.

The goal of the project was to re-purpose a 70,000+ SF existing 2 story light industrial building for post secondary education use. The proposed school program consists of classrooms, a large lecture hall, computer labs, a library, student lounge space, student break room and administrative spaces.

The existing building has large floor plate with limited daylight access away from the periphery of the building.

One of the objectives of the design was to create a place, a focal point within the building that connects and organizes the various spaces and activities on the two floors. The proposed design is organized around the concept of a pedestrian street, with portions of this street becoming a double height space illuminated by skylights. This street space serves as the focal and organizing element for the building while introducing day lighting into the middle of the building. The double height portion of the street provides visual connection for the two floors.

Student activities such as Break Room and Lounge Spaces are placed within the street space to encourage student interaction, foster a sense of community that enhances open exchange of ideas between the students and faculty members.