One of the laws at Google is that employees are productive if they’re allowed to have fun. Big G applies this concept literally, even in architecture and design, as confirmed by Rapt Studio, designers of the new Google headquarters in Irvine, Orange County, California.
Rapt Studio applies the Google work ethic to the Californian lifestyle and beach culture in the project, borrowing liberally from the latter to create unusual, eccentric settings appropriate for a Google building. Such as a lifeguard tower, complete with lifeguard, on the rooftop deck.
The 8500 square metre project is divided over four floors, linked by a perforated acrylic staircase that serves as a centre connected with all parts of the building. To add to the competitive spirit in the office, the stairway, and every employee, has a detection system that projects parameters indicating how employees move around the building into common areas: a reminder not to go overboard having fun. When you work in a place like this, you need to be reminded!
Francesco Cibati
Year: 2015
Location: Irvine, Orange County, California, USA
Team: Mike Dubitsky; Steve Lesko; Matt Azen; Cory Sistrunk; Sam Gray.
Area: 8450 mq
http://raptstudio.com/