Major renovations are underway in the worlds tech hub, Silicon Valley, with both Apple and Google set to undergo complete makeover of both of their headquarters. The Google headquarters is looking like it is taking the environment into consideration when looking at their plans of the redevelopment which includes a new dome like structure and state-of-the-art street lighting around the facility
Last year in 2015 Google revealed that its four sites will be having renovations in the Mountain View area of San Francisco, which is around nine miles north of Apple’s new circular structure that is set to open as their new headquarters in 2017. These two major projects are a strong reflection of the nature of both of these international companies and where they are heading.
The elegant ring structure of Apple’s world class facility embraces the lush green appearance around walls that are as tall as those of Alcatraz. This definitely suits a company like Apple who has been renowned for its control and secrecy of its business strategy and marketing activities. A company who would ensure that the crating and packing of all of its information is secure and locked with dogs watching it every second of the day. However, since the Tim Cook days began, the company has been seen to be more transparent than when Steve Jobs was running the show.
Both of these facilities are believed to reflect philosophies that embrace privacy for both itself and its customers and also value openness and sharing. Whilst the transformation occurs, there will be a heavy security presence at both of Google’s facilities to deter anyone trying to land a piece of history. Apple hopes to build some public access areas in its new facility it is building, to encourage positive public interaction with the company.
Where Apple’s design aspires to create “an integrated, unified and secure 21st Century campus surrounded by green space,” Google’s stated goal is “to create a highly flexible workplace that can adapt not only to Google’s evolving business needs but can also become a destination for the local community.”
The only catch with Google’s HQ is that it needs to provide public access to some areas to the community, with houses nearby and around the campus needing access. Google needs to be positive about this and be careful not to cause any friction with locals so that they can be happy neighbors, and not add fuel to sparking discontent in the community.
Google however plans on turning this into an advantage by working with the local community, by providing services to locals. Google plans on providing dedicated public space with display furniture, food trucks and retail spaces for local stores to open up. It plans to provide economic diversity, and may even go as far as providing better quality car park lighting for locals as well in the near future.