November 18, 2020

SRM builds Google III, with a stream running through it

Photo by Sky-Pix Aerial Photography [enlarge]

The first of two tower cranes was recently installed at the site near downtown Kirkland. The second will be placed at the narrow end of the site.

SRM Development is building the third phase of Google's campus in Kirkland and there will be some cool features for both the workers in the building and the public that uses the adjacent Feriton Spur Park and Cross Kirkland Corridor.

General contractor Foushee earlier this month poured 1,600 cubic yards of concrete footings for the future building at 423-533 Sixth St. S., near downtown Kirkland. The first of two tower cranes is up and the second, smaller unit is expected to arrive after Thanksgiving at the north end of the site. Foushee will also use a placing boom that looks somewhat like a mini-tower crane to dispense concrete for the building's post-tensioned decks.

But, what about those cool features? At the top of the list is a stream that will run through the building — at least it will appear to run through the building.

The “stream” will actually be created by three separate systems, starting with water running over boulders at the building's entrance along Sixth and seemingly flowing into the building. This system will recirculate water, as will the second system inside that will carry the flow to the back of the building. The third system will create the illusion of the stream flowing out the back of the building over a waterfall where an extended Feriton Spur Park will run past.

SRM development manager Dave Tomson said designs for the stream are still being developed, as are the plans to expand Feriton Spur Park, which was built between the first two phases of the campus and has a basketball court and sand volleyball court. Feriton will be extended northward along the new building and Cross Kirkland Trail to Sixth Street South, and the intersection of Sixth and Fifth Place South will be reworked.

Tomson said about 2,200 people use the existing park on nice days during the summer and the community will love what they are planning for this phase of the park.

“When we're done with it, it will be a destination that people will want to check out,” he said.

More cool building features will include a chilled beam mechanical system, rooftop garden and solar farm, and a rainwater harvesting system that uses gray water for toilet flushing and irrigation. A deck on the roof will have views of Lake Washington and the Olympic Mountains.

These and other measures are expected to help the 135,000-square-foot building achieve LEED gold.

Like the other buildings on Google's Kirkland campus, the new structure will have a low profile of just two above-ground levels. It will connect to the existing Building C via a skybridge. Parking will be provided for an unspecified number of cars in two underground levels. There also will be secure parking for 78 bicycles.

Tomson said the shell and core of the new building should be finished in the second quarter of 2022. Foushee reportedly built most or all of the tenant improvements for Google's first two phases, which are about 375,000 square feet in four buildings. It's unknown if Foushee will do the TI for the new building.

The phase three design team is led by DLR Group. It includes DCI Engineers (structural), The Watershed Co. (landscape architect) and Green Lake Engineering (civil).

Spokane-based SRM also developed the first two phases of the campus.