The Rand Corporation campus near downtown Santa Monica is an internationally known, non-profit research headquarters facility. The campus was the first project constructed in the Santa Monica Civic Center Specific Plan which will result in housing, retail and open space clustered around the existing City Hall and County Courts buildings. Rand is a major corporate citizen within the City with a strong desire for a secure yet friendly place within the urban fabric.
The elliptical building facilitated the unique design with the interior courtyards and multi-level garden. Meeting spaces have been tailored to the wide variety and nearly round-the-clock activities of the people who work in or visit the campus. The exterior landscape presents an attractive yet neutral face towards the City.
The design features plantings that moderate light in south and west facing spaces to reduce heat gain. The planting and irrigation systems were designed to utilize the City’s recycled water where it will support healthy plant growth. Rand was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for environmentally responsible design of the headquarters campus.
