A new life sciences campus in Burlingame, California, The Landing’s landscape design centers on accessibility, ecological function, and experience, creating a welcoming and high-quality public realm within a high-performance biotech environment. Shaded seating areas, native and climate-responsive planting, and open-air gathering spaces offer everyday value to employees and local residents alike, while supporting the city’s long-term vision for a more active and connected Bayfront district. Straying from the industry tendency for science and tech campuses to turn inward, The Landing integrates public life into the heart of a research environment, showcasing a shift in the design of research and innovation spaces.

The plaza is anchored by “The Rhythm of Discovery,” a 27-foot-tall kinetic sculpture by Oregon artist CJ Rench, flanked by two 60-foot murals by San Francisco–based artist Nicole Mueller—each helping to define the project’s identity from both up close and afar, including views from Highway 101. A newly opened café, The Apron, operates weekdays, serving coffee, breakfast, and lunch to tenants and the public. Outdoor furniture, movable tables, and built-in seating invite lingering and informal gatherings.

The new campus, led by architect Perkins&Will, features such as a 150-person conference center with an adjacent pre-function area available for tenant and public events, as well as a series of semi-private courtyards that support flexible working, wellness, and socializing. The campus also connects directly to the 360-mile San Francisco Bay Trail and nearby Caltrain, BART, SamTrans, and other transit options, linking The Landing to a regional mobility network.

To protect from future sea level rise, the building finish floors were elevated eight feet above the existing street level. However, this future-proofing tactic created a challenge from both an accessibility and aesthetic perspective. SWA used this opportunity to design tightly woven terraces that mitigate the grade differential while creating intimate garden spaces. In addition, the terraces frame the street and plaza, which creates an urban respite and gateway to the project.