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photo of 242 State Street
Photo: Bruce Damonte

242 State Street

Los Altos, California

242 State Street

Los Altos, California

  • Design Principal

    Tom Kundig

Located in downtown Los Altos, the highlight of this adaptive re-use project is the introduction of a new façade that enables the circa 1950’s building to morph from an enclosed structure into an environment that invites the community into the space.

The transformation was achieved by essentially replacing the entire front façade with a double-height, double hung floor-to-ceiling window wall that can be raised or lowered depending upon the needs of the user. The wall is operated by engaging a pedal – to unlock the safety mechanism – then turning a hand wheel which activates a series of gears and pulleys that opens the sixteen-by-ten-foot, two thousand pound window wall. When closed, visitors to the shop enter through a ten-foot-tall pivot door.

Team

Awards

2016

Architizer A+ Awards, Winner, Details: Architecture + Facades

2014

AIA Northwest and Pacific Region Honor Awards, Citation Award

AIA Pacific Northwest Region, Citation Award

Interior Design Best of Year Awards, Finalist

Publications

2016

“Awards Category Plus / Type Architecture + Facades / Winner Jury: 242 State Street Los Altos, CA, USA.” Architizer: A+ Awards 2016, 2016, 224-225. Book.

Kohn, Asher. “New stores may give downtown a new look in 2017.” Los Altos Town Crier. 28 Dec. 2016. Web.

Kohn, Asher. “Unique State St. spot to host Saratoga chef’s new restaurant.” Los Altos Town Crier. 17 August 2016. Web.