Delivering for Architectural Solutions that are Sustainable, High-quality and Innovative in Modern Design
Hayes Group Architects received two Design Awards from the American Institute of Architects San Mateo Chapter — one for an adaptive reuse, interiors project in Redwood City and another for a ground-up, mixed-used development in Palo Alto. Located near downtown areas, the commercial projects were commissioned by land development companies, Stormland Group and Huafa Industrial, respectively.

726 Main Street: This lounge-like open space showcases the modern aesthetic and discretely luxurious vibe.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast

2515 El Camino: This project transformed an old-world automobile-oriented suburban retail island into a mixed-use walkable center, increasing housing supply, while reducing car dependency, and bringing new round-the-clock vitality to a previously quiet site on a main thoroughfare.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast
The adaptive reuse project, 726 Main Street in Redwood City was jury-selected for an Honor Award. Hayes Group Architects created a striking, modern office space—while celebrating the richness of the historic structure's original character through the integration of transparency and contrasting contemporary materials.

2515 El Camino: The majority of parking is now located below-grade allowing the entire street frontage along El Camino Real to be lined with retail space, activating the ground floor. Residential units on the upper 2 stories add 'eyes on the street' while maintaining privacy.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast

2515 El Camino: Sustainability strategies include creating a mixed-used development in a walkable community, as well as: increasing renewable energy use through solar panels; maximizing daylight use through shallow commercial floor-plates and residential unit depths, skylights above the interior residential corridor, and extensive exterior glazing; reducing energy consumption through high-performance VRF HVAC systems and high performance facades; and improving indoor air quality through MERV-13 filers in HVAC systems.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast

2515 El Camino: Exterior two-story frames clad in Equitone Tectiva fiber cement panels with a brushed surface texture express each residential unit, while providing privacy for the exterior terraces, and sun shading for exterior glazing.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast
726 Main Street was commissioned by Stormland Group, a premier land development firm in Silicon Valley. "Our client, Ed Storm is an exceptional real estate developer who appreciates modern architecture and design," states Hayes Group Architects founder Ken Hayes, AIA.

726 Main Street: Hayes Group Architects' adaptive reuse, commercial interiors project received a 2024 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects San Mateo Chapter.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast

726 Main Street: Situated in an 1859 landmark building in the heart of downtown Redwood City, this office for a prominent commercial developer serves as a place for operating his business—focused on projects in the community—and for hosting events which bring together industry professionals for sharing ideas, making deals and meeting others.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast

726 Main Street: The space is flexible so that catered events can be easily staged from the open kitchen area to the adjacent open space.
Photo credit: Patrik Argast
The land development project at 2515 El Camino in Palo Alto was jury-selected for a Citation Award. Hayes Group Architects entitled the one-acre site for its previous owner, then worked with new owner, Huafa Industrial, to transform the property into a dynamic, mixed-use development featuring townhouses, retail and office space, set in a landscaped site with spaces for gathering, shopping and relaxing. Designed to enhance the pedestrian experience and connect to the commercial district a block away, 2515 El Camino plays well to Hayes Group Architects' strengths.
Since its founding in 1996 by Ken Hayes, the firm has entitled, designed, and built more than 200 commercial projects in neighboring Menlo Park and in Palo Alto, known for their rigorous entitlement processes. The City of Palo Alto Architectural Review Board (ARB) administers the Architectural Excellence Awards program, and over the years, has bestowed this quinquennial award on projects by Hayes Group Architects, including 611 Cowper Street. To-date, Hayes Group Architects has received more than 20 awards for its projects around the Bay Area.
- 726 Main Street: Natural lighting was important, so the existing windows and skylights flood the lounge and open areas with daylight, and the internal offices borrow the light through their floor to ceiling glass walls. During the day artificial lights are optional. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 726 Main Street: Massive brick walls were left exposed, revealing centuries of patina of past use as a hardware store, a bank and a laundry. The existing redwood ceiling was repaired and refinished, and the floor was replaced with polished concrete. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 726 Main Street: The plan is divided in two along the length of the building by a steel and leather-wrapped casework wall. Frameless glass permits light to pass freely between the acoustically private offices and conference room occupying one half and the lounge-like open space occupying the other. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 726 Main Street: Hayes Group Architects programmed the interior spaces for a variety of activities, including collaboration and events. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 726 Main Street: Standing millwork storage modules subdivide the open area into discrete programmatic zones for coworking, entertaining and taking breaks. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 2515 El Camino: Hayes Group Architects’ ground-up development in Palo Alto received a 2024 Citation Award from the American Institute of Architects San Mateo Chapter. The project is one more piece of the puzzle in shifting from low density to smart density in the City of Palo Alto. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 2515 El Camino: The program brings 13 residential condominium units (including two units dedicated to the City of Palo Alto’s affordable housing program), 6,000 square feet of office space, and an additional 13,675 square feet of retail space to a site previously occupied by a single restaurant surrounded by a sea of surface parking. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 2515 El Camino: A new public outdoor courtyard is provided on the side street oriented towards the nearby commercial center, California Avenue, inviting residents, patrons and passers-by to linger. Access for commercial and residential areas are separated by unique entry points and separate elevators to reinforce privacy and security. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 2515 El Camino: Facades at the retail corner sit back beneath the floor above, drawing out the connection between inside and out, creating a generous threshold that can be used for seating and protection from the elements. Photo credit: Patrik Argast
- 2515 El Camino: The project team includes Huafa Industrial (client); Hayes Group Architects; Nibbi Brothers General Contractors; Nishkian Menninger (structural); BKF Engineers (civil); The Guzzardo Partnership (landscape); ACIES Engineering (MEPF). Photo credit: Patrik Argast
Hayes Group Architects
Hayes Group Architects believes design is an iterative process, ensuring that the solutions they create will accurately reflect their clients' core values, goals, and missions. The firm's architectural style is circumstantial, not predetermined, and responds to the nature of the site, the social and physical context, and to the client's lifestyle, work style, and aesthetic disposition.