The San Jose City Hall and Civic Center, in San Jose, Calif., marks the new centerpiece of a decade-long redevelopment of the city’s seven-block civic district. The entire site includes a new performance hall, elementary school, and library. City Hall itself comprises an 18-story tower that houses municipal offices, city council chambers, a major public rotunda, an exterior plaza, and below grade parking.

A sweeping public plaza leads to the building’s main entrance on Santa Clara Street. Its focal point is the entry itself: a glazed, domed volume that serves as a visible symbol of the city government. This transparent lobby is large enough to accommodate public events such as speeches, concerts, and exhibitions. Complementing the rotunda on its east side is the office tower; on the west side is a three-story council wing, which houses the Council Chambers, public meeting rooms, retail spaces, and additional departmental offices.

Exterior finish materials include stone, metal panel, clear glass, and concrete. The thin building proportions are achieved with a unique dual structural system that utilizes concrete shear walls as “bookends” to provide lateral strength. This system allows for narrow floor plates that, combined with a west-facing brise soleil, support daylighting and natural ventilation throughout the interiors. Elements such as the sunscreen and the large entry rotunda give the building a landmark quality that befits its purpose as City Hall.