Design for Apple Campus
Landbank Investments and HOK, one of the leading international architecture offices and biggest US-based architecture-engineering firms, presented their design for the new Apple campus in Sunnyvale, Silicon Valley, with the help of marketing microsite Notanotherbox.com. The message of the presentation – „not another box“ – is echoed by the wavy design of the new Apple project – a slight reminder of Norman Foster’s design for Apple 2 campus.
Apple Campus designed by HOK – Image Courtesy of notanotherbox.com
Located in one of Sunnyvale’s former business areas, “the Central & Wolfe Campus will transform the existing obsolescent 1970s ‘business park’ into a modern 777,100 s.f. campus that will be a signature asset for Silicon Valley’s leading-edge technology companies” – Landbank state in the presentation.
Apple Campus designed by HOK – Image Courtesy of notanotherbox.com
“LEED Platinum, unique architecture, no surface parking, abundant open space, rooftop gardens, amenities galore, large floor plates” – these are the goals of the developments, which HOK achieved through their design.
Apple Campus designed by HOK, Additional Rooftop Gardens – Image Courtesy of notanotherbox.com
The new six-story, class A buildings are all about open space. The design pays close attention to the outer environment, comprising of 2.07 miles of ground-level walking and bike paths, 90,000 s.f. of rooftop garden space and facilities such as sports courts, fields and an outdoor ampitheater. The inner space was also conceived for the benefit of its users, accommodating office spaces, as well as other services, like a coffee bar, a potential cafeteria, fitness center, health and wellness facilities, bike-repair shop, a general store, barbershop, dry cleaning / laundry, or banking services. Moreover, a large underground garage will insure enough space to eliminate surface parking.
Apple Campus designed by HOK, Large Floor Plates – Image Courtesy of notanotherbox.com
Post-tension concrete structures were used for the design’s large floor plates. “Placing more employees on one highly walkable floor plate helps remove psychological barriers to collaboration and interaction”, the developers explain. They were used according to Class A requirements, efficiency and economical reasons.
By: Ana Cosma
