This project is a powerful demonstration of value creation through strategic adaptive reuse. The challenge was to transform a generic, 70,000-square-foot light industrial structure into a dynamic, modern campus for Silicon Valley University, an institute specializing in computer science and engineering.¹ The design needed to do more than simply house classrooms; it needed to foster the very collaboration and exchange of ideas that drives innovation.

The key design intervention was the creation of a central, double-height "interior street" that runs through the heart of the building.¹⁴ This single, powerful move organized the entire facility—which includes computer labs, a library, an auditorium, and a student lounge—and transformed the building's deep floor plate into a vibrant hub for communication.¹ By strategically placing lounge and break areas along this interior street and introducing three large skylights to bring natural light into the core, the design actively encourages interaction and the cross-pollination of ideas outside the formal classroom setting.¹⁴

Praxis's principal, Seth Dunn, served as Project Architect while at WZ Architecture, leading the project from Conceptual Design through Construction Administration.¹ This role involved full-cycle leadership on a large-scale adaptive reuse project, showcasing the ability to see hidden potential in underutilized building stock and to unlock that potential through smart, value-adding design. This expertise is central to Praxis's commitment to sustainable urban development and is highly relevant in today's market.

‍