Stanford University has unveiled its new Computing and Data Science (CoDa) Building, a 167,000-square-foot facility designed by Seattle-based LMN Architects. The striking glass and terra-cotta structure sits prominently on the west side of the university's expansive Oval, serving as a central hub for interdisciplinary research and education while anchoring Stanford's growing emphasis on data-driven inquiry.
Strategically positioned at the intersection of Lomita Mall and Jane Stanford Way, the CoDa Building occupies a crucial location between the School of Engineering and the university's humanities and sciences buildings. This deliberate placement creates a physical and symbolic bridge connecting Stanford's classical sandstone core with its more contemporary research facilities. The building's curving glass facade introduces a modern architectural element that contrasts with the neighboring arcades and red-tiled roofs, while vertical terra-cotta fins echo the warm tones of surrounding historic structures.
The building's most striking feature is its five-story central atrium, dubbed "the Hive" by LMN Architects. This dynamic space houses open lounges, meeting rooms, and shared workspaces designed to foster collaboration across disciplines. A dramatic bright red perforated staircase serves as the centerpiece, connecting student study zones and social commons on the lower floors to faculty research offices above. The pattern on the red staircase represents code written in 8-bit binary language, serving as a subtle tribute to the computational work conducted within the building.
During daylight hours, the building's glass volume reflects the surrounding landscape, while at night it glows from within, showcasing the vibrant red staircase and bustling activity in the central atrium. Natural light filters throughout the interior spaces, particularly in lounge and seminar areas where extensive glazing provides panoramic campus views and brings daylight deep into the floor plan. The architectural team varied ceiling treatments across different spaces, incorporating wood slats in classrooms, geometric acoustic panels in study areas, and distinctive oval canopies that crown the large lecture rooms.
Sustainability played a central role in the building's design, with the envelope combining high-performance glazing and terra-cotta panels that function as sunshades to enhance energy efficiency. Extensive daylight modeling informed the building's massing and window-to-wall ratio, effectively reducing glare while optimizing natural illumination throughout the structure. The design achieves an impressive 75 percent reduction in energy use compared to the AIA 2030 baseline through its all-electric systems, operable windows, and central staircase that encourages occupants to walk rather than use elevators.
The building incorporates additional sustainable features including low-water fixtures and comprehensive bike facilities, aligning with Stanford University's broader environmental goals and meeting CALGreen Tier 1 standards. "The CoDa building is designed to be much more than a home for computer and data science—it's a crossroads for ideas, disciplines, and generations," explained LMN principal Stephen DeMayo. "By uniting the historic campus core with the university's forward-looking precincts, you experience a space that bridges tradition and innovation."
