Google unveils futuristic Californian HQ plans
Google has announced plans for a $120m expansion of its existing Mountain View headquarters, California, to bring its employees closer together and furnish them with a roof garden.
The 1.1m square foot ‘Googleplex’ is scheduled for completion in 2015 and has been designed by Seattle based architectural firm NBBJ.
It will be the largest office complex in the US and comprises nine boomerang shaped buildings designed not for their looks but the ability to bring each employee within a 2.5 min walk of any other and to draw in natural daylight for most.
Each building will be linked by bridges spanning a series of squares and meeting places with cars all buried underneath.
Pampered employees will also benefit from gourmet cafes, roof gardens, laptop enabled gym equipment and bowling alleys.
Google is currently also planning a £1bn UK HQ at London’s Kings Cross.