2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Merit in Health & Wellbeing
The revolutionary aspect of this project is the scale of WBD’s commitment and investment in occupant health and wellness, expressed on three fronts:
- Biophilia/integration of nature: most visible in the robust integration of trees and other plants around, above and within the building, and the extraordinary views available to all occupants
- Healthy materials, complying with the highest LEED and WELL standards
- Extraordinary emphasis on access to good nutrition, with a spectacular health-forward cafeteria and a healthy pantry on each floor. With the emphasis on biophilic design/nature connection, the campus’s numerous outdoor spaces connect employees with nature, promoting mental and physical well-being. Diverse workspaces include lush roof terraces that provide inviting outdoor areas. Coupled with a free address policy, employees have the flexibility to choose how and where they work.
Healthy materials were selected to protect employees (and construction workers) from hazardous elements and emissions.
Spectacular food and beverage zones and a healthy pantry on each floor nourish occupants. Additionally, the team developed substantive policies and benefits to support employee health, including a variety of food options and a wellness clinic. Extensive programming to promote community, wellness, and flexibility allows for future growth.
Spaces in the building house creative teams in highly technical environments (audio/video recording, editing, and review) that offer top level acoustics and illumination to match. A variety of innovative office and meeting spaces merge collaboration with entertainment. The building is filled with the art and history of the famous studio that shaped our modern world.
The Burbank Studios/Warner Bros Discovery Second Century project represents a pivotal milestone in both architecture and sustainability, signaling the company’s forward thinking vision. This 800,000 square- foot modern office complex in Burbank is designed to be a state of-the-art workplace that fosters creativity, well-being, and environmental stewardship. The building’s exterior, shaped like a calving iceberg, is a bold reminder of the urgency of addressing global warming, setting the tone for a structure that intertwines art, science, and sustainability.
Inside, the design promotes wellness and flexibility, with open layouts that encourage collaboration and communication. Spaces dedicated to employee health, such as gyms, wellness offices, and a health-
conscious cafeteria, reflect a commitment to holistic well-being. The office is outfitted with sustainable furniture and materials, creating a healthy and eco-friendly environment that aligns with contemporary values of wellness and sustainability.
The project’s emphasis on biophilic design—through abundant outdoor spaces, rooftop terraces, and landscaped areas—connects occupants to nature, restoring mental and physical well-being. The landscape design, inspired by the San Gabriel Mountains and Hollywood Hills, incorporates native California plants that reduce water use, enhance biodiversity, and provide habitat for local wildlife.
The greenery not only softens the urban environment but also acts as a living carbon sink, with projections indicating that mature trees will sequester up to 120,000 pounds of CO2 by year fifty. In addition to fostering a connection with nature, the project integrates high tech spaces for video and audio production, supporting Warner Bros Discovery’s creative endeavors.
The workspace features innovative, flexible environments designed to accommodate future growth and attract top talent. By blending wellness, technology, and sustainability, the Second Century office sets a new standard for corporate campuses and serves as a model for how businesses can lead in environmental responsibility while nurturing a thriving, creative workforce.