Architectural Record has featured 500 County Center, San Mateo County’s new headquarters, as a model for sustainable civic design.

Designed by SOM, 500 County Center is the first civic building in the U.S. to combine mass timber construction with a net-zero-energy design. The five-story structure brings multiple county departments under one roof, setting a new standard for performance, resilience, and workplace wellbeing.

The article highlights the building’s low-carbon mass timber structure, all-electric systems powered by on-site solar, and thoughtful design strategies—from passive cooling to durable, tactile materials that support both long-term sustainability and occupant comfort.

Already drawing interest from civic leaders and developers across the region and beyond, 500 County Center reflects what’s possible when climate goals and design ambition come together in the public realm.