# Sustainable Silicon Valley Offices The New Google HQ Design Aims for LEED Certification By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2016-03-17 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-hq References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/google-hq-big-heatherwick-plans/42342/) & [mountainview.gov](http://www.mountainview.gov/depts/comdev/planning/activeprojects/charleston_east.asp) The previously released design of the new [Google](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-view) HQ was refused by city planners, so a new design has been submitted to help make the transition a little smoother. Designed by the [Bjarke Ingles Group](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hungarian-natural-history-museum) and [Heatherwick Studio](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hanwha-galleria), the HQ design centers on a main building that's packed with plenty of retail and green space. This would all be accessible to the public to ensure a better integration with the larger community and allow Google employees and neighborhood residents to mingle. The Google HQ design is planned to attain LEED certification for being a green building. The building is designed with solar panels that would enable the building to produce a 45% surplus of energy thats needed to power the internal offices. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.6/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 7% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Green Building Design:** Companies can leverage the adoption of sustainable design principles and technologies in developing new buildings that can optimize power consumption and reduce carbon footprint - **Community Integration:** Businesses can explore opportunities for offering public access and shared green spaces to promote community engagement and collaboration. - **Renewable Energy Sources:** There is a growing opportunity for the integration of innovative renewable energy options such as solar panels to enable the production of surplus energy within a building and power office operations efficiently ### Who This Affects Most - **Real Estate Industry:** Real estate industry players can explore the integration of green building technologies as a competitive differentiator that can offer customers eco-friendly living and working spaces. - **Construction Industry:** The adoption of green building principles in the construction process can position builders for long-term growth by attracting customers who are conscious about their carbon footprint and environmental impact. - **Energy Industry:** Companies within the energy industry can explore innovative solar-energy solutions for homes and commercial buildings as an opportunity to promote renewable energy and reduce utility costs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Expansive Tech Offices Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/googleplex.md) - [Kaleidoscope Vibrant Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mountain-view.md) - [Pier-Side Dynamic Office Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-hq.md) - [Tree-Inspired Panelled Workspaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hood-design-studio.md) - [Updated Sustainable API Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-sunroof.md) - [Sustainable Vibrant Work Environments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovation-campus.md) - [Tech-Base Workspace Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foster-partners4.md) - [Large Headquarter-Transformed Housing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hayes-park-central.md) - [Building Decarbonization Rating Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/usgbc.md)