Post by David Baker Architects

At Harvey West Studios, facade design became an opportunity to merge performance, context, and storytelling. The corten steel panels and sunshades along the project’s Highway 1 facade, its most public-facing elevation, were designed as both functional building systems and an expression of place. The perforation pattern was inspired by the white barring of the Nuttall’s Woodpecker, a species native to Santa Cruz County’s oak woodlands and riparian habitats. The panels also serve critical performance functions, providing mechanical free area for residential PTAC units and kitchen hood exhaust, while the sunshades help mitigate solar gain and create dynamic, dappled interior light. Working with BŌK MODERN, the team developed highly dimensional corten panels with triangular faceting and up to 8" of depth, pushing the material beyond a flat facade application. Thoughtful detailing like this reflects how architecture can respond to ecology, performance requirements, and human experience all at once. MidPen Housing Corporation Housing Matters #Architecture #FacadeDesign #BuildingPerformance #CortenSteel #ArchitecturalDetailing #SustainableDesign #DavidBakerArchitects