Faced with an immenseexpansion curve, the internet company Google assembled a large projectteam including workplace strategists DEGW, and cradle-to-cradleenvironmental visionary William McDonough, to set goals for the designof its 500,000 SF campus in Silicon Valley. Clive Wilkinson Architectswon the invited design competition based on a proposal for creating adiversified campus environment, which integrated highly focusedsoftware engineering workspace with learning, meeting, recreational andfood facilities into the existing inner courtyards and building shell.

TheMasterplan follows a simple distribution of work 'neighborhoods' alonga 'Main Street' circulation plan. All shared resources are locatedalong this street, and range from meeting rooms, to tech talk spaces,to micro-kitchens and library lounges. Facility performance becamefocused on satisfying four main criteria:

- Flexibility and Adaptability which allowed workgroup mobility and reconfiguration.

-Concentration and Collaboration through a system of glass-enclosed3-person work rooms. These rooms were custom fabricated with absorbenttent ceilings to soften sound and deflect light into the deep floors.Services are integrated through a custom ceiling collar thatdistributes supply and return air, sprinklers and artificial lighting.

-Work/Life Balance through providing support services for people whowork long hours. Several different food service cafes are provided anddistributed micro kitchens are opened up to function as social hubswith lounge facilities.

- Leveraged Learning is a core Googlegoal to maintain its innovation culture. Specific areas along publicroutes are furnished as Tech Talk zones where almost continuousseminars and knowledge sharing events would take place.

Theproject was fast tracked on a market rate budget for completion inMarch 2005. A sustainable energy-conserving environment was a highpriority, and most building materials used were either cradle-to-cradleproducts, or contained high recycled content. Doors culled fromprevious build outs were used on the two story tower elements as designembellishment, and open workstations were all recycled. DEGW conductedpost occupancy research to enhance workspace learning as part ofGoogle’s continuously experimental culture.