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COB 3 – County Office Building

Developer/Owner: County of San Mateo

Contractor: Truebeck Construction

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Engineer: EnGeo

Installer: Western Wood Structures

SmartLam Customer: Western Wood Structures

 

San Mateo County’s County Office Building 3 (COB3) is redefining sustainable civic design. As the first civic building in the U.S. to incorporate Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) construction with a Net-Zero energy design, this nearly 208,000-square-foot structure represents a bold step in environmentally conscious public infrastructure.

COB3 was specifically designed to significantly reduce its carbon footprint while simultaneously enhancing structural resilience. This pioneering project serves as a compelling model for future government buildings, showcasing the transformative potential of mass timber in civic development.

Project Overview & Design Philosophy

COB3 stands as a testament to mass timber innovation meeting the demands of public infrastructure. The building’s design strategically utilizes wood columns, beams, and CLT floor decks, optimizing material efficiency while considerably minimizing reliance on traditional concrete. This approach not only supports San Mateo County’s ambitious sustainability objectives but also markedly improves seismic performance, making the structure a resilient and future-forward addition to the civic landscape. The intentional exposure of mass timber elements also contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere within the public-facing building.

Sustainability & Innovation

Sustainability is paramount to the design of the San Mateo County Office Building 3, with the project pursuing an all-electric, Net-Zero energy design. This ambitious goal is achieved through a combination of cutting-edge features, including rooftop and parking garage solar arrays, high-efficiency windows, and automated shading systems, all meticulously integrated to optimize energy performance. SmartLam North America proudly contributed to this vision as the trusted supplier of high-quality mass timber solutions, providing Douglas-Fir CLT that was engineered for strength, durability, and design flexibility. SmartLam’s responsibly sourced timber directly supports the project’s Net-Zero energy goals and a reduced embodied carbon footprint.

A New Standard for Sustainable Civic Design

COB3 redefines what is possible for sustainable public infrastructure in the United States. As the first civic building in the U.S. to integrate Cross-Laminated Timber construction with a Net-Zero energy design, it sets a powerful precedent. The project’s commitment to both environmental performance and structural resilience positions it as a model for future government buildings nationwide. This forward-thinking collaboration has resulted in a landmark civic building that not only showcases mass timber’s potential in large-scale public projects but also demonstrates how design excellence can align seamlessly with profound sustainability objectives.

Project Highlights

  • Design Excellence: A forward-thinking collaboration resulted in a landmark civic building that showcases mass timber’s potential in public projects.
  • Sustainability Leadership: The all-electric, Net-Zero design incorporates rooftop and parking garage solar arrays, high-efficiency windows, and automated shading to optimize energy performance.
  • Structural Resilience: The use of mass timber enhances seismic performance while significantly reducing embodied carbon, making it a model for future government buildings.
  • U.S. First: The first civic building in the U.S. to combine CLT construction with a Net-Zero energy design.
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